DOA responds to Pangelinan's criticism

by Ken Quintanilla

Guam - The Department of Administration is responding to criticism from Committee chair on Finance and Taxation Senator Ben Pangelinan, accusing the agency and the Calvo Administration of not fully paying out tax refunds last week from the Income Tax Refund Efficient Payment Trust Fund. Senator Pangelinan says there should have been $43 million in the Fund, as opposed to the $33 million that was paid out with the signing of Bill 470 into law.

Acting DOA director Tony Blaz disputes the senators assertions, adding the entire issue of paying out all 2011 refunds could have been resolved last year had the Legislature stuck with the governor's original bond borrowing plan to take care of tax refunds in one shot. He added the Calvo Administration is working to ensure everyone gets their money, saying, "Senator Ben Pangelinan where were you when you should have been taking care of this whole income tax refund issue for the last several years."

As for Pangelinan's request for the AG's Office to take action against the Administration, they are reserving comment because of the tax refund lawsuit currently before the District Court. Senator Pangelinan in the meantime has yet to respond to our e-mails and has been off-island since last month. According to his office, he is off-island for personal matters and unsure when he will return, saying they are "playing things by ear."

Meanwhile the Guam Legislature is set to meet later this month to begin the budget hearings.