SAIPAN — The CNMI Civil Service Commission issued a public statement Tuesday acknowledging it is aware of media reports concerning a grievance involving the Department of Public Safety, while declining to comment on the specific details of the pending matter.
The statement, released the same day NMI News Service reported on a formal sexual harassment grievance filed against former DPS Commissioner Anthony I. Macaranas, stopped short of confirming the nature of the complaint but outlined the commission’s process and mandate.
“The Commission is committed to ensuring that every matter that comes before it receives a thorough, fair, and impartial review consistent with due process,” the statement read.
The commission noted that its mandate, established under the CNMI Constitution and the Civil Service Act, is to uphold the civil service merit system free from coercion and political influence, and to protect the rights of all parties throughout the grievance and appeals process. All grievances, the commission said, are processed in accordance with the Personnel Service System Rules and Regulations and applicable provisions of the Commonwealth Civil Service Act.
The commission also used the statement to encourage any government employee who believes their civil service rights have been violated to file a grievance through established channels.
The grievance was filed by Esther B. Delos Reyes, an HR official with the DPS Division of Administration, and alleges a pattern of sexually inappropriate and demeaning remarks directed at female employees by Macaranas. DPS Public Information Officer Fred Sato confirmed the grievance earlier Monday and said the complaint had been forwarded to the commission along with a report containing allegations from several staff members.
Macaranas had no comment. The administration had not responded to a request for comment at the time of publication.
