‘I didn’t lie’

By Lanuola Tusani Tupufia 12 July 2016, 12:00AM

Former Cabinet Minister, Le Tagaloa Pita has denied making a false declaration during the recent General Election. “I am being charged for lying in signing and making a false declaration,” Le Tagaloa said yesterday.

“But I can tell you that I did not lie and I signed (the declaration) with the understanding that tautua is the monotaga that I have done.”

The declaration is in relation to the requirement in the Electoral Act for him to render a monotaga (service) to his village of Sili. Le Tagaloa is accused of making a false declaration in connection to the Election where he was disqualified and not  allowed to run.  

In taking the stand in the District Court yesterday, Le Tagaloa said he serves his village every year in many different ways. He told the Court that his interpretation of monotaga is that it is part of the service to the village. 

“Service (tautua) is bigger than monotaga,” he explained. 

“Since I was given the title (Le Tagaloa) I have been rendering services to the tune of no less than $50,000.

“In this Court, I am being charged for lying in signing and making a false declaration but I can tell you that I did not lie. I signed (the declaration) with the understanding that tautua is the monotaga that I have done.”

Le Tagaloa added that his village does not require him to provide a monotaga and made it clear that there was not a time that he did not serve his village in accordance with customs and traditions. 

“If service is for candidates in the urban seats that they must serve (the church or village) for three months, what does that mean for the service of matai in the rural village?” he asked.  

“The changes (to Electoral Act) would mean that people like the Head of State and me would never be able to run which I don’t think that was the intention of the change made by the Members of Parliament.” 

Le Tagaloa, 78, is represented by lawyer Sarona Ponifasio.  

Acting Electoral Commissioner, Faimalomatumua Mathew Lemisio is the lawyer for the Electoral Office. 

District Court Judge, Vaepule Vaemoa Va’ai is presiding. Another witness questioned yesterday was a matai from Sili, Matautia Iefata. 

He said the customs of his village is that they do not require Le Tagaloa to render a monotaga. 

However, he explained that if somehow Le Tagaloa does give money or any form of contribution, they do not call it monotaga. This is referred to as assistance (fesoasoani). 

 “Views might vary as to what the monotaga means but (to me) it means contribution to village matters that is not compulsory,” he said.  “If you do not contribute it doesn’t mean you will be punished or anything. Our village cannot ask the papa to render a monotaga. We serve him. Still, it does not stop him from giving voluntary assistance. But if he does give a contribution, it’s seen as a gift (meaalofa) or assistance.”

 Judge Vaepule has adjourned the matter until Friday for a verdict.

By Lanuola Tusani Tupufia 12 July 2016, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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