by Ken Quintanilla

Guam - Christmas came early for some well-deserving Government of Guam employees this morning as close to a thousand meritorious bonus checks were distributed to those who are not only on the front line but do so outstandingly. "So it's important that in these bonuses going out, it's for our line workers, it's for our folks who are in the front line for health, safety and welfare of our island and they deserve to get a pack on the back and they deserve to get what is owed to them," said Governor Eddie Calvo.

Before Government of Guam department and agency heads, Calvo distributed close to a thousand meritorious bonus checks worth $4.5 million. Merit bonuses are supposed to be awarded to GovGuam employees who have received an outstanding or superior performance rating over the years as set out in Public Law 21-59. However after 21 years it was never paid until today. "What it's all about is making good on a commitment that the government has made and has made for decades," he said.

A class action lawsuit was filed in October of 2010 against the Government for failing to follow the law that was introduced two decades ago by then senator Carl Gutierrez. Under the program any employee who receives an outstanding rating on their performance evaluation review is entitled to 3.5% of that year's base salary.

That class action lawsuit was filed by Bureau of Statistics & Plans administrative assistant Marylou Gogo. "I feel grateful, happy and we're thankful for the governor for making it happen," she said. Gogo has been working in the government for 21 years and says the lawsuit wasn't just about her but thousands of others, adding, "I just feel that everybody should have gotten it and because it's by law."

Her supervisor, Terry Cuabo, adds the lawsuit was filed because employees shouldn't have to wait patiently for something that they're entitled, saying it's less about the money but more the principle. "You're correcting a principle that this is owed to the certain people in our government," he said.

And for DISID planner and acting director Zeny Natividad, she's cashing her check and sharing the wealth with her employees. "Because without them I would not be able to an outstanding employee myself as an administrator," she said.

Moving forward BBMR director John Rios says those who get the outstanding ratings in the future will also receive bonus checks as they plan to add funding in the budget. They attribute the money from good cash management namely creating a cash flow projection statement report in the last two years along tightening its belt and placing funds in the reserves.