by Mindy Aguon

Guam - District Court judge Consuelo Marshall has ordered the government to deposit three $3 million by December 3. The money is needed to fund 39 personnel positions that the court has deemed necessary. That money actually was the subject of quite a bit of debate several months ago when Senator Ben Pangelinan introduced a measure seeking to re-appropriate that money and give it to the University of Guam and the Guam Community College.

The governor, however, vetoed the measure, expressing concerns that taking that money away from the most vulnerable in the community would not be a wise decision and that the money could be ordered by the court at any time. That time has come and Judge Marshall noted that the government has continued to set aside at least $3 million for purposes of the amended permanent injunction and plan of action through Substitute Bill 426, the budget bill that was signed into law back in September.

Governor's communications director Troy Torres says the Calvo Administration is pleased it did not bend to political whims and it is a really good thing they stuck with what they knew was the truth, that the court could order the deposit of that money any day.

December 3 meanwhile is the date the authority of Mental Health is supposed to be transferred back to the agency from the federal management team.