by Nick Delgado

Guam - Senator Adolpho Palacios completed his independent investigation into the qualifications of Guam Fire Department acting fire chief Raymond Perez. Palacios contends Perez does not have supporting documents to show that he, in fact, served as the EMS operations officer at GFD in October 1999 to September 2004.

While Chief Perez told KUAM News he was certified for the chief position by the Department of Administration, Palacios says his investigation reveals he does not meet all the qualifications. "Unfortunately for Mr. Perez, it is not the DOA that's going to confirm him, it is the Legislature. And not just that this is not an administrative regulation or standards set by the administration like DOA, which have the authority, this is a statutory requirement."

Palacios says he is now hoping to meet with either the governor's chief of staff or legal counsel to present the findings of his investigation.