The Governor has asked for an unedited copy of the official audio or video of the House hearing on March 17 which focused on the payment of salaries of directors whose salaries the Fono had removed from the Fiscal Year 2026 budget. This was the hearing in which Chief of Staff Leonard Seumanutafa shouted at Vice Speaker Fetui Fetu that he has no authority to tell him what to do.
Governor Pulaalii Nikolao Pula said in his March 24th letter to House Speaker Savali Talavou Ale, “I write to respectfully request that the House of Representatives provide the Office of the Governor with an unedited copy of the official audio and/or video recording of the House hearing held on March 17 concerning new directors whose salaries have been placed under a stop order by the Fono in connection with the Fiscal Year 2026 budget.”
He said, “Access to the full, raw recording of this hearing is essential to ensure that the Executive Branch accurately understands the concerns, questions, and directives raised by the House and to enable us to respond appropriately and in a timely manner.
“I therefore respectfully request that your office provide copies of said audio/video files or if more practicable a secure means of electronic access or download.”
The Fono has voted to take the Pula and Pulu administration to court over the payment of salaries of directors of line agencies under the Governor’s Office who were not submitted to the Fono for confirmation. The Fono had cut these salaries from the Fiscal Year 2026 budget.
The Chief of Staff had said at the March 17 hearing that it was the wish of the Governor that these directors be paid.
Attorney General Gwen Tauiliili-Langkilde said at the same hearing that in discussions with Fono attorney’s, it was agreed that the administration would submit a supplemental budget bill to cover these directors’ salaries.
