The Guam Daily Post

The Guam Board of Medical Examiners is nearing the finish line on rules that could allow internationally trained physicians to apply for medical licenses in Guam, with board chair Dr. Nathaniel Berg saying inquiries already are coming in from potential applicants.

The board discussed the internationally trained physician pathway during its recent meeting, saying several doctors have expressed interest even though applications cannot yet be processed.

Berg said inquiries have come through several channels, including directly to the board, the Guam Memorial Hospital Authority, and lawmakers.

“The short answer is yes,” Berg said when asked whether prospective applicants are already reaching out. “Lots of people put in and express interest.”

“We’re almost there,” Berg said.

An application and checklist have already been created and shared with the subcommittee. The board expects another review before making the materials available to the public.

For now, the board’s priority is getting the framework in place so that the physicians already knocking on the door can finally apply.

✏️ Jojo Santo Tomas | The Guam Daily Post
📷 Jonah Benavente | The Guam Daily Post

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Medical board getting ready to accept foreign-trained physicians’ applications The Guam Board of Medical Examiners is nearing the finish line on rules that could allow internationally trained physicians to apply for medical licenses in Guam, with board chair Dr.

A man facing life imprisonment is going to trial this week on multiple charges of r**e based on allegations made by a 15-year-old girl.

Jimmy Hadley started his jury selection process in the Superior Court of Guam on Monday morning for a trial where he faces multiple charges of first-degree criminal sexual conduct as first-degree felonies.

The case was filed in March after a 15-year-old girl reported to the Guam Police Department that Hadley sexually assaulted her multiple times over a seven-year period.

After a jury is picked, Hadley's trial will begin before Judge Alberto Tolentino on Wednesday with opening statements from attorneys prior to jurors hearing witness testimony. In his defense, Hadley's counsel will be able to give an opening statement and cross-examine any witnesses called by the Office of the Attorney General to testify.

Hadley will be on trial for multiple counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct stemming from the victim, now 16-years-old, reporting that she was sexually assaulted by Hadley when she was about 8-years-old. According to charging documents, Hadley is accused of sexually assaulting the teen between July 4, 2018, and July 3, 2019; July 1, 2020, and Aug. 31, 2020; and Aug. 1, 2021, and May 31, 2022.

For the December 2025 incidents, Hadley was charged with two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct as a first-degree felony and attempted first-degree criminal sexual conduct as a first-degree felony.

✏️ Shane Tenorio Healy | The Guam Daily Post

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Trial to start for man accused of ra**ng girl A man facing life imprisonment is going to trial this week on multiple charges of r**e based on allegations made by a 15-year-old girl.

Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero has called the Guam Legislature into its 11th special session this term to consider a $19.8 million funding bill for the Guam Memorial Hospital Authority's acquisition of a modern electronic health record system and the University of Guam's development of the Blue Economy Innovation Center at the Fadian Hatchery.

The special session is set to start on Tuesday.

The $19.8 million comes from Section 30 funding, which is federal tax, duty, and fee remittances mandated by the Organic Act of Guam and issued to the island in advance of the fiscal year.

Guam is supposed to be receiving $105 million in Section 30 funding, but $19.8 million of that is reconciled from prior years and is provided on top of the $85.1 million requested for fiscal year 2027.

The governor's funding bill proposes to appropriate $15.8 million of the funds to GMHA for the electronic health record system, or EHR, and $4 million to UOG for the Blue Economy Innovation Center.

"Together, these initiatives address immediate needs while building long-term capacity. A modern EHR system will strengthen the infrastructure necessary to deliver quality healthcare to our people. The Blue Economy Innovation Center will advance food security and create new economic opportunities through greater local production. Both are investments in a stronger, more self-reliant Guam," the governor stated in her call to special session.

✏️ John O'Connor | The Guam Daily Post
📷 Frank San Nicolas | The Guam Daily Post

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Special session called for GMH, UOG funding bill Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero has called the Guam Legislature into its 11th special session this term to consider a $19.8 million funding bill for the Guam Memorial Hospital Authority's acquisition

A man and woman were charged in connection to a burglary reported in late August.

Mark Demetrio Torre and Danielle Baza were charged in the Superior Court of Guam on Saturday in connection to what was initially reported as a home invasion complaint made on Aug. 25.

According to the magistrate's complaint filed by the Office of the Attorney General, information given to police on the day indicated Torre and Baza assaulted and terrorized two women at a residence in the Hågat area.

As part of the investigation, officers interviewed the homeowner who provided surveillance footage of the incident, which showed a black pick up truck parking in the driveway, Baza exiting the vehicle and knocking on the door of the residence which was opened by an unknown individual.

"Baza was seen aggressively entering the residence and began moving in a fast, jerking motion," according to the complaint, which added voices from the residence could be heard saying, "What did I do to you?"

Torre and Baza were both charged with burglary as second-degree felonies and misdemeanor assault. Torre was charged with terrorizing as a third-degree felony, while Baza was charged with family violence as a misdemeanor.

✏️ Shane Tenorio Healy | The Guam Daily Post

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Man, woman facing burglary charges A man and woman were charged in connection to a burglary reported in late August.

The Guam Election Commission tackled supplemental information in a complaint against Attorney General Douglas Moylan last week, leading to discussions on whether Moylan, who is running for reelection this year, actually has no party affiliation, and what exactly does it mean to be a nonpartisan candidate on Guam.

However, the commission ultimately took no additional action, and since Moylan was ratified as a candidate for the general election on Aug. 18, along with other AG hopefuls, that ratification still stands, according to discussions last week.

The complaint against Moylan was filed by attorney Jordan Pauluhn, another AG candidate, back on June 19.

Pauluhn pointed to Moylan's appearance on the website for the Republican Attorneys General Association, or RAGA, which he said contradicted "the statutory mandate and qualification that candidates for attorney general of Guam declare no political party affiliation."

Three candidates ended up correcting their affidavits of registration after the complaint was filed to ensure no party affiliation.

These were Moylan, Phillip Tydingco, and Thomas Fisher.

✏️ John O'Connor | The Guam Daily Post

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AG's candidacy stands despite concerns over party affiliation The Guam Election Commission tackled supplemental information in a complaint against Attorney General Douglas Moylan last week, leading to discussions on whether Moylan, who is running for reelection this year,

The Public Utilities Commission is set to discuss a possible increase in the Levelized Energy Adjustment Clause during a meeting on Thursday, and the Guam Power Authority has stated that it will review the PUC recommendation and "continue to advocate for an approach that protects customers" from major increases while recognizing the cost of fuel needed to serve Guam.

The Levelized Energy Adjustment Clause, or LEAC, is the portion of a power bill that pays for GPA's cost of fuel.

A LEAC increase took effect just in July, raising the rate to about 19.4 cents per kilowatt-hour from 13.58 cents per kWh, amid significant cost increases due to the U.S.-Israel war with Iran.

The current rate was set to last through January 2027, but the LEAC rate can also be adjusted before the end of a term.

And as GPA noted, this review differs from the normal procedure in that the power utility did not initiate or recommend the LEAC adjustment.

The Guam Daily Post does not yet know what recommendations are before the PUC, but the commission's agenda for Thursday indicates the adjustment is an increase and that it would be for the period beginning on Oct. 1 and lasting through the end of January 2027.

✏️ John O'Connor | The Guam Daily Post
📷 David Castro | The Guam Daily Post

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PUC to discuss possible LEAC hike Thursday The Public Utilities Commission is set to discuss a possible increase in the Levelized Energy Adjustment Clause during a meeting on Thursday, and the Guam Power Authority has stated that

Career Tech Academy Charter School cleared another hurdle Thursday night, earning a unanimous vote from the Guam Academy Charter Schools Council to renew its charter and keep the school moving forward.

For Principal William Castro, the vote was more than an administrative approval. It was an affirmation of a school community that, he said, has repeatedly defied expectations.

“The approval of the charter is (an) affirmation of all the good things that this learning community has done for itself,” Castro said.

Council Chairwoman Evangeline Cepeda said Career Tech came to the renewal process well prepared, giving the council confidence in the school's ability to continue its work.

Cepeda praised the school's preparation and the work that went into its renewal presentation, saying Career Tech had its “ducks in a row” and demonstrated that it was ready to answer the council's questions and meet the requirements for renewal.

“We are funded at 60% of the state institutions, and that’s not a complaint,” Castro said. “It’s basically saying that we’re doing so much more with less.”

Castro credited the school's teachers, staff, students, and parents for making that possible.

✏️ Jojo Santo Tomas | The Guam Daily Post
📷 Frank San Nicolas | The Guam Daily Post

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Career Tech renewed in unanimous vote Career Tech Academy Charter School cleared another hurdle Thursday night, earning a unanimous vote from the Guam Academy Charter Schools Council to renew its charter and keep the school moving

While much attention was focused on the unanimous approval of the Career Tech Academy Charter School for another six years, the Guam Academy Charter School Council reserved time for updates on each of the seven Guam charter schools at its meeting Thursday at Career Tech.

Council chair Evangeline Cepeda praised Science is Fun and Awesome Learning Academy Charter School for their resilience, saying she understood the frustration surrounding the school's search for a long-term facility. But she also sent a stern message to the school's leadership, telling them that their parents simply want stability for their children.

She praised SiFA's resilience during the transition and its ability to keep learning going despite not having the permanent facility the school had anticipated for the 2026-27 school year.

Students and staff have continued their work through changing circumstances while the school pursues several facility options.

Cepeda said the council wants the school to find a longer-term solution rather than continue moving from one temporary arrangement to another. She directed the school's management team to present a detailed plan by Sept. 30, including a facility option that would provide at least three years of stability.

Ron Ravela, the SiFA Director for Planning, Compliance & Research, told Cepeda that they would.

✏️ Jojo Santo Tomas | The Guam Daily Post
📷 Frank San Nicolas | The Guam Daily Post

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Council tells SiFA to stabilize While much attention was focused on the unanimous approval of the Career Tech Academy Charter School for another six years, the Guam Academy Charter School Council reserved time for updates

Attorney Michael Phillips is asking the Superior Court of Guam to reconsider a decision dismissing the lawsuit over the officer-involved shooting death of Luke Imaizuma Atoigue.

Phillips argued that the decision applied standards from the wrong subsection in the Guam Rules of Civil Procedure and that, to the extent a perceived lack of diligence independently supported dismissal of the case, the rules require the application of certain case law factors and meaningful consideration of less drastic alternatives.

This case dates back to 2025, although Atoigue had been shot and killed in April 2022.

The defendants then filed a no-evidence motion for summary judgment, seeking to dismiss the remaining claims by arguing there was no evidence to support them.

Superior Court Judge John Terlaje granted that motion on Aug. 12 and dismissed the case with prejudice.

According to Terlaje's decision, Phillips alleged that there is evidence that creates disputed facts in this case, and even if there isn't currently sufficient evidence, the appropriate remedy would be a civil procedure Rule 56(d) deferral until discovery is completed.

✏️ John O'Connor | The Guam Daily Post

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Dismissal reconsideration sought in officer-involved shooting case Attorney Michael Phillips is asking the Superior Court of Guam to reconsider a decision dismissing the lawsuit over the officer-involved shooting death of Luke Imaizuma Atoigue.

The Office of the Governor has announced another $1.7 million in tax refunds have been disbursed, covering tax filings submitted on or before June 14.

"The Department of Revenue and Taxation, in conjunction with the Department of Administration, announces that the 22nd batch of individual income tax refunds have been successfully disbursed. With this latest batch, the Leon Guerrero-Tenorio Administration continues to deliver on its promise of fiscal responsibility by returning funds to taxpayers as quickly as possible," a release from the governor's office stated.

This batch represents 667 processed payments, 494 paper checks, and 173 electronic fund transfers.

It also brings the total amount of tax refunds paid to about $142.6 million year to date.

"DRT continues to process 2025 income tax returns in the order they were filed. Residents who owe taxes and cannot pay the full amount may contact DRT's collection branch to discuss payment options," the release from the governor's office stated.

Residents seeking more information or assistance can contact DRT's call center at 671-635-1840/1841/7651 or email [email protected], according to the release.

✏️ John O'Connor | The Guam Daily Post
📷 David Castro | The Guam Daily Post

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Adelup says $142.6M total in refunds paid with latest batch The Office of the Governor has announced another $1.7 million in tax refunds have been disbursed, covering tax filings submitted on or before June 14.