by Ken Quintanilla

Guam - Friday October 19 marked the deadline for elected officials, directors and board members who filed an extension with the Guam Election Commission back in April to turn in their financial disclosure statements. According to executive director Maria Pangelinan, financial disclosures are meant to provide transparency amongst our elected officials.

"Financial disclosures say this how much money I made this year and based on what I do in the government and based on what I do outside and I didn't get substantially richer the next year because of my government job," she explained.

As of close of business on Friday, twelve public officials had yet to turn in their financial disclosures. However, Pangelinan says she will continue to accept financial disclosure statements until this weekend. She had given more time due to GEC's offices staying open late until 8pm Friday and up to 5pm Saturday due to GEC staff conducting precinct official training over the weekend. Pangelinan meanwhile has stated that the names of those who don't turn in their financial disclosure statements will be forwarded to the Attorney General's Office.