Palacios not happy with judgment on raises

by Sabrina Salas Matanane

Guam - Committee Chair on Public Safety Senator Adolpho Palacios says although he respects a recent decision by Superior Court Judge Michael Bordallo he is not happy with it. Judge Bordallo determined that he cannot order GovGuam to appropriate money for legally mandated 10-percent raised for public safety personnel.

"I would say that notwithstanding there's no specific language in the budget bill as to an appropriation to pay for the 10%, there's money under the benefits and personnel salary that really it would not be improper to use that to pay for the 10% they just don't want to pay for the 10% and the judge not enforcing a law that's already mandated since four years ago I would think a judgment could have been better than that," he said.

Senator Palacios is looking into making clarification in the budget bill to ensure the raises get paid.