A former Port Authority of Guam marina manager demoted after a heated confrontation in March has filed an appeal with the Civil Service Commission claiming his demotion was retaliatory and political.  Frankie Rosalin, previously the Port’s marina manager, filed a formal appeal on May 2, accusing top leadership of retaliation.

It all stems from a workplace incident on March 12, first reported by KUAM News. According to court filings, Rosalin allegedly struck general manager Rory Respicio’s office door with a closed fist during a heated exchange, causing damage and public alarm. He’s pleaded not guilty to a misdemeanor charge of disorderly conduct.

But internal investigation reports obtained by KUAM tell another side. Rosalin claims Respicio, a close friend of his girlfriend and godparent to their child, used the meeting to confront him over personal issues, not work. He says Respicio was upset about rumors and allegedly told him to “Tell her to shut up.”

Rosalin in his report said, “I felt threatened, intimidated, and harassed,” 

Respicio disputes that claim, saying Rosalin became visibly angry and punched the door several times, causing $655 in damage. Fearing for his safety, Respicio says he recused himself from disciplinary decisions, but reports show he was still present during key discussions.

Rosalin was demoted, not fired. Acting general manager Dominic Muna reassigned him to a lower position - commercial specialist, slashing his salary to just over $52,000. Now Rosalin wants the CSC to reverse the demotion and cover his legal fees. He argues the move was politically-motivated and inconsistently enforced.

We should note that while Rosalin still has a job despite that heated incident,  another employee  in a separate incident was fired days later for merely raising her voice, citing the same zero-tolerance policy on workplace violence.

The Port Authority has not commented on the matter. The Commission is now reviewing both disciplinary cases, decisions that could have wider implications for how power and policy are exercised at one of Guam’s key agencies.