Bill would allow governor to appoint mayor acting mayor in vacancy

Another Guam lawmaker has introduced legislation related to the leaderless village of Yona. Sen. Jose Pedo Terlaje, a former three-term mayor of the village, introduced Bill 263 which would essentially allow the governor to appoint an acting mayor with the advice of the Municipal Planning Council and confirmation by the Legislature.

Yona Mayor Jesse Blas has been behind bars since last September awaiting trial in the District Court next month. He is accused of extortion and accepting bribes from a confidential informant posing as a drug trafficker.

Blas has pleaded not guilty. The mayor never appointed an MPC, although law mandates that all villages have one. Sen. Terlaje acknowledges the timing of his bill but says it can address a vacancy for any reason.