THE SENATE SIXTEENTH LEGISLATURE C NORTHERN MARIANA ... · THE SENATE • SIXTEENTH LEGISLATURE •...

THE SENATE • SIXTEENTH LEGISLATURE • COMMONWEALTH OF THE NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS

Senate Journal SECOND SPECIAL SESSION, 2009

SJ 16-32

First Day Friday May 1, 2009

The Senate of the Sixteenth Northern Marianas Commonwealth Legislature convened its

First Day, Second Special Session, on May 1, 2009, at 9:42 a.m., in the Senate Chamber, Capitol Hill, Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. The Honorable Pete P. Reyes, President of the Senate, presided. A moment of silence was observed. President Pete P. Reyes: Can we have the Reading and Approval of the Journal?

READING AND APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL

1. SJ 16-18 - (09-18-08 Session)

Floor Leader Hofschneider: Thank you, Mr. President. We have Senate Journal No. 16-18 in referenced to the September 18, 2008 Session. I move for the adoption of such Journal. The motion was seconded. President Pete P. Reyes: The motion has been made and seconded. Is there any discussion on the Journal? Several members voiced, “ready.” President Pete P. Reyes: All in favor for the adoption of Senate Journal 16-18 say, “aye”.

Several members voiced, “aye”. President Pete P. Reyes: All opposed say, “nay”.

The motion was carried by voice vote. President Pete P. Reyes: The motion is carried. Senate Journal 16-18 is hereby adopted. I recognize the Floor Leader for a motion to resolve into the Committee of the Whole.

-1-

First Day, Second Special Session SJ 16-32

Floor Leader Hofschneider: Thank you, Mr. President. I move to resolve into the Committee of the Whole to entertain the appointment of the Secretary of Finance for the Office of the Lieutenant Governor. The motion was seconded. President Pete P. Reyes: The motion has been made and seconded. Is there any discussion on the motion? All in favor say, “aye”.

Several members voiced, “aye”. President Pete P. Reyes: All opposed say, “nay”. Floor Leader you are in charge.

[The Senate resolved into the Committee of the Whole at 9:45 a.m.] President Pete P. Reyes: I wish to inform the members that we received a telephone call supporting the confirmation of Mr. Inos. He is sick and unable to appear at today’s session. Mr. Martin Sablan called up to inform the Senate that he is supporting the confirmation of Mr. Inos. Let me recognize former President Juan Demapan. Juan Demapan: Si Yu’us Ma’ase, Mr. President. Ina’an hu si Juan S. Demapan. Sen banidosu yu para bai hu fattu guine na oga’an para bai hu sanao guine na hearing para i Lieutenant Governor as Eloy Songao Inos. Taya mas kualifikao, taya mas kapas, taya mas esperensiao na taotao Marianas para esti na position i Lieutenant Governor ki si Eloy Songao Inos. Atmam tiempo, in tingo ha na manietbi esti nui i publiko gi with distinction gi todu estoria-na. Pago na ha’ane, man gaige hit guine ti pot patida. I estoria na man gaige hit guine na ha’ane sa i nuebe giya hamyo ni para infan mamatinas decision kulan in chechegue checho dosi mit na botadot taotao Marianas. Dankulo enao na onru para hita todos na ha’ane. Estoria esti. Gi estorian Amerika kana mas ki siento anos – fana’an gi seninteku na un biahi ha ni masusedi guine giya Marianas. Ti hu tungo ngaian talo esti para umasusedi. Pues dankulo esti fondamentona ya gi halom siento anos esta pago, teniki i famaguon famaguon-ta man ngekuentos hafa masusedi pago na ha’ane Mayu dia Uno, 2009. Masusedi na man dadanga hit guine, ta respepeta i Constitution yan ta respeta i taotaota siha giya Marianas ni ha nesisita ayudun miyu gi decision. Teniki masasangan na man saonao si Senate President Pete Reyes, sumanao si Senator Joseph Mendiola, sumanao si Senator Henry San Nicolas, sumanao si Senator Paterno Hocog, sumanao si Senator Pangelinan, sumanao si Senator Jude Hofschneider, sumanao si Senator Paul Manglona, sumanao lokkue si Senator Felix Mendiola, yan sumanao lokkue si Senator Crisostimo mama decision pago na ha’ane. Eyu ha u gagagao hamyo na ta supota manu sina ya ta confirm si Honorable Eloy S. Inos. Si Yu’us Ma’ase. Floor Leader Hofschneider: Thank you former Senate President Juan Demapan. Pago malagu yu na bai hu nahi si former Speaker Pedro R. Guerrero. Pedro R. Guerrero: Mr. President and honorable members of this body. When I was running up here, I was not deciding whether to speak in support of the Honorable Eloy Inos who is sitting next to me for confirmation to the very important position – the Lieutenant Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands. I decided to do that simply because I feel that I should share of what I

-2-

SJ 16-32 May 1, 2009

know of this person. I had worked with him for a very long time when I was in the Legislature and as a former Speaker of the House. I worked with Mr. Inos under the 702 Section of the Covenant where it authorized us to negotiate for financial assistance guaranteed funding for the Commonwealth, and through his participation and leadership in that organization, we were very successful in bringing in Millions of dollars into the Commonwealth – money that was used and is currently used to support our infrastructures in the Commonwealth. In addition to that, we served together under the 902 of the Covenant or it allows the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and the government of the United States to consult and discuss differences as a result of our relationship under the Covenant. Again, under these two talks, he has contributed so much that has benefited the Commonwealth as a whole. Mr. Inos is very qualified for the job. I cannot say that he is the one and only person that is qualified, but I can assure you that he is very qualified for the job, and I think that the Commonwealth will greatly benefit by him to your support to be your next Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. I urge and encourage each one of you to endorse him this morning. Thank you very much. Floor Leader Hofschneider: Thank you, Mr. Guerrero. Antes di bai hu konsigi, malagu ya na bai hu emfasisa talo iyona request si Honorable Pete Reyes pot i tres minutus na tiempo ni bai in nahi kada hayi para u kuentos pago pot esti na hearing. Ya malagu yu pago na bai hu recognisa i Chairman i Delegation ginen Luta as Representative Victor Hocog. Representative Hocog: Si Yu’us Ma’ase sinot Presidente yan membros i San Hilo na Guma pisun Lehislatura pot i apotunidat ni para bai kuentos enkuenta gi supotasion para i ma apunta para i bakanti na siyan eksekatibu kumo sigundo Gobietno as sinot Eloy Songao Inos. Mr. Chairman yan membro siha gi San Hilo na Guma Lehislatura, hu nanahi i dankulo na supotasion para i konfitmasion miyu as sinot Eloy Inos ya i taotao residenten Luta lokkue ma dananahi yu guinue para bai hu express esti na supotasion para si sinot Eloy Inos. Mr. Chairman yan members gi San Hilo na Guma Kongrasista, ta komprendi ha na entrepulao i asunsion politika ya hu fafaisen i membros gi katkuet na pinekat asunsion politika na ta polu i tihong i asunsion politika gi anai sina in fatinas i maolek na decision sigun i meritu i kandidatu ya guahu fatkilo yan dankulo i konfrensia-hu na i ma apunta na individuat as sinot Eloy Inos gaige na ha gogoti i kualifikasion, profesionat, intilihenti na kapasidat para u ayuda i maga’lahi gi Islas Marianas munahi kabales i publikon Marianas ni setbision nai mananangga i publiko. Gi kadada na tiempo ni para u akupa i position kumo ma apunta gue, ileleku, Mr. Chairman yan membros na i konfitmasion si sinot Eloy Inos gi pago na ha’ane, sina ha susteni i ina’guaiya gi entre Eksekatibu yan i lehislatura anai sina manma chochu hit gi tetenan na tiempota para tana chadik uma sisti i man namasi yan i man puputi na publiko nai ma ekspecta na sietbisio ginen hita todos. Todos hit tumesteguyi i membron i Lehislatura na sinot Eloy Inos gi maseha hafa na ora, i senadot gi San Hilo na Guma, i Kongresu gi San Papa na Guma gi hafa na in’agan niha kao mampos bula tumatani si Secretary Eloy Inos gi chechona – nunka besis, Mr. Chairman nai ha nega i in’agan i Kongrasista. Pues pot esti, esti na taotao gaige i korason, gaige gi kapasidat, entelahenti presunat anai sina ha konne Marianas nai para u ayuda i Magalahi munahit nai ta nanangga yan i publiko ni maolek na sietbisio. Sin mas, hu gagagao i dankulo na kinenprendi, supotasion ginen hamyo todos ni para in nahi gi ni bendision miyo. Si Yu’us Ma’ase.

-3-


Floor Leader Hofschneider: Si Yu’us Ma’ase, Representative Hocog. Pago malagu yu na bai hu agan si sinot David Cing, i former Senator ginen Tinian. David Cing: Mr. President, Chairman, yan todos membron esti na puetbu. Si Yu’us Ma’ase ni esti na oportunidat pago na oga’an. Ti bai hu na anaku tiempo-ku guine mona sa esta hu ungok ha i previous i speaker siha na fabot giya maolek na statement manma produsi huyong pago na oga’an. Ilek-hu na obligasion miyu esti ni Senadot para in ina i kandidatu ya giya guahu ha, inkuenta ginen i Mayot mami, i palu na leadership mami ginen Tinian, yan i taotao mami giya Tinian, manmalagu ham na in hingok lokkue i disean mami ginen Tinian na manmalagu ham na inkonfitma gi chadik na manera yanggen siakasu na taya sinetdan miyu baba nui esti na kandidatu as Eloy Songao Inos. Si Mr. Inos kulan parehu yan guahu ni ti dankulo na apiyidu, ti dankulo na familia, los kuantos granu ham ha gi halom i Marianas gi esti na apiyidu na Cing pat osino Inos. Lao i kapasidat-na esti na kandidatu, sina munahi hamyo mas chansa nai sina in konsidera gi chadik na manera sa i eksperansia-na esti gi halom i gobietnamento anchu matungo-na. Ya ginen enao, hu garentiti-ha i taotao mami giya Tinian ni desihan-niha yan malagu-niha ya hu fafaisen hamyo enkuenta di i atkatdi kao sina in na chadik iyona Confirmation si Eloy Inos. Lokkue, bai hu ekstendi para guatu gi Administration si Governor Fitial pot i konfiansa-na ni ha apunta iyona Secretary of Finance as Mr. Inos in advance, Si Yu’us Ma’ase para todos hamyo. Floor Leader Hofschneider: Thank you, Mr. Cing. Malagu yu pago bai hu rekoknisa si Honorable Stanley Torres. Representative Stanley Torres: Mr. Chairman, ti gof anaku – para bai in fanu’i – i asaguahu ni todo support para i next Lieutenant Governor nui Konfiansa gaige todo giya hame yan I familiaku. In represesenta i total support for Mr. Inos. [Applaud] Floor Leader Hofschneider: Si Yu’us Ma’ase, Mr. Torres. Malagu yu pago bai hu rekognisa si Representative Oscar Babauta. Representative Oscar Babauta: Thank you, Mr. President. I would like to thank the Chair of the Committee of the whole Senate. Chairman, I will not do much with Mr. Inos’ appointment as the next Lieutenant Governor pursuant to the Constitution. Much have been said about his qualification and experience. Personally, Mr. Chairman, Mr. Inos have worked with you and you can testify to that since the Trust Territory days. He is a formidable individual who have not only helped the Commonwealth in formulating the policies of the new CNMI Department of Finance, but have achieved greater value in life both socially and professionally. Therefore, I ask the indulgence of these honorable members of the Senate to consider the Governor’s nominee of Mr. Inos for the position of the Lieutenant Governor for the Northern Marianas. The Commonwealth needs to move forward, Mr. President and members. We are in a predicament that needs the guidance of Mr. Inos not only in the Central Government, but in the entire branches of the Commonwealth Government and its agencies. Therefore, I strongly recommend the support on behalf of my people in my Election District that the nominee be considered favorably and it is therefore my hope that your decision this morning or rather today will be favorable. Thank you very Mr. President and Mr. Chairman.

-4-

SJ 16-32 May 1, 2009

Floor Leader Hofschneider: Thank you, Representative Babauta. At this time, malagu yu na bai hu agan si sinot Juan M. Sablan. Mr. Juan Sablan: Kana taya tiempo-ku para bai hu prepara esti ni duranten breakfast guine na oga’an sa hu a’asu ya ilek-ku na kumo ti matu yu magi guine – esti na decision today is very important for each and everyone of us either supporting or not supporting Mr. Inos. Historical esti i Commonwealth ni taya – para uma elect si Mr. Inos na para uma desidi i Senate. It is like earlier when people said that this is history and maybe the next hundred years or so taya ni masusedi esti. Anyway, I would like to read my testimony that I prepared this morning. Mr. President, I am writing to this honorable body to support the confirmation of Mr. Eloy S. Inos to the Office of the Lieutenant Governor. I have worked with Eloy during the Trust Territory administration for the Division of Taxation and attended together the University of Guam. He is an exceptional working partner with a lot of integrity to his work. During his tenure on the passed thirty (30) years, working with the government, I never hard any bad comment from the news media or from his fellow workers, or the government employees that he headed. Eloy have held the longest Directorship position. I do not know of anyone in the Commonwealth that held that position within Finance. He has held good reputation in this area. I have never heard that his compromise his high government position for his personal gain. Eloy is a simple man. That speaks for itself, Mr. President. Eloy is highly qualified to help the position as the first appointed Lieutenant Governor. With over thirty (30) years with the Trust Territory government and the Commonwealth government mostly in managerial position dealing with finances for the government. The timing is best serve to this beautiful Commonwealth to act as the second in command to address the challenges on our economic conditions in this beautiful Commonwealth. I ask each member of this Senate body to please give Eloy a chance to be the second Commander to this Commonwealth. Thank you. Floor Leader Hofschneider: Si Yu’us Ma’ase, Mr. Sablan. Pago malagu yu na bai hu agan si former Representative Danny Quitugua. Danny Quitugua: Buenas dias senot Presidente yan todos hamyo nui man horable na membron i san hilo na guma i Lehislaturan i sankatan na Marianas. Hu konsidera komo onru esti i para bai hu fana hamyo na oga’an ayo nah u entretrega sulemlem na kottisia pot i petmiso yan embitasion para bai hu na mancha i hu pripara na testimonio segun i areklamenton konfetmasion tinancho kandidtato para i position manehanten gobetnamiento. I prinsipat na konsiderasion para pago na okasion i matancho senot Eloy S. Inos para u na fon hayan i tikomplido na tetminon i seguundo na magalahen i San Kattan na Marianas. Sinores yan senora man honorable na membron Senadot, mesklao na sinente-hu pago na momento sa i San Katan na Marianas mamatinas dos na estoria. I uno na estoria sumen na triste yan dankulo na dinimalas para hita todos nui man Chamorro yan Refaluwasch yan taotao esti i petals na Marianas. I sigundo na estoria esti na kuetpo para u responsibli solo. Hafa taimano ma’tugena i pasu todo mona hamyo para en dispacha. I prinsipat na kandidato nui makonsidera para esti na puesto as sinot Eloy S. Inos taya mas tumungo esti na sinot yanggen ti hago, Presidente Pete P. Reyes. Un tungo i hinuna, un tungo eksperansia-na, un tungo abilidat-na, un tungo kapasidat-na. Un tungo-ha lokkue hafa na nenkano mas yana. Taiguenao i amestan miyo na dos. Taya si Eloy sina ha sangan ya ti un tungo. Taya lokkue si Eloy sina ha sangan ya ti ha tungo pot hago. Ayo nai ilelek-ku na propio esti na kuetpo para u konsidera i kapacidat-na, abilidat-na yan animosu-na i kandidatu ni makonsidedera pago na oga’an para esti tetenan na

-5-


puestu i tetminun i sigundo na Gobietno. Hu tatanga membron esti na kuetpo na pot fabot munga manasietbe kumo haramenta i abilidat-na si Eloy nai guaha ni hanafan sakadachi i figuran finansiat Marianas. Ya guaha na biahi ni hita ni manman hetbi gi kongresu hafa baba ha hit gi mismo ta atan. Lao na sietbe enao kumo abilidat, abilidat nai sina i gobietnamento ha mueba gi mona para uta satba yan ta korihi todo esti siha i defektot-ta yan nesisidat-ta. Pues pot otimo, bai hu faisen pot konsiderasion todos hamyo nai membron i Senadot nai sumesteteni esti na fuetsa na pot fabot na fakpo i sigundo na estoria anai para in konfitma i kandidatu nai para una komplido i tetmenun i sigundu na gobietnamento as Sinot Eloy Inos. Sin mas, Buenas Tadis yan Si Yu’us Ma’ase. Floor Leader Hofschneider: Malagu yu pago bai hu faisen si sinot Inos kao magahit eyu ileklek-na si former Representative Quitugua na un na sakadachi i numero? Pago malagu yu na bai hu rekoknisa si former Representative Ana Teregeyo. Ana Teregeyo: Buenas Dias, Mr. President, yan membron i San Hilo na Guma. Un sen dankulo esti na opotunidat para bai hu fana hamyo pago na oga’an sa gi para guahu, sen impotante esti gi estorian Marianas. Ti bai hu na anaku i finohu sa esta meggai man mofona ki guahu ya parehu ha na sustansia masangan yan hafa para bai hu sangani hamyo. Lao malagu yu na bai hu gagao hamyo oportunidat pat pudet ya bai hu sanggan i esta hu prepara na statement. Bai hu taitai gi fino Amerikanu sa ti nesisario na bai hu alaba hafa bai hu sangan gi fino Chamorro. My name is Ana Atalig Sablan Teregeyo of Saipan. I am here as a private citizen interested to participate in the decision-making process of the Senate for the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, The Second highest public executive office of the government of the Northern Mariana Islands. I want to applaud the nomination of Mr. Eloy Songao Inos by the Honorable Governor Benigno Repeki Fitial submitted to this August Body for consideration, review, and confirmation. I believe that Governor Fitial submitted his nominee without any doubt of reservation as Mr. Eloy Inos is a person with a Leadership character that is sometimes difficult to find or observe in individuals. Mr. Inos is a person who takes public responsibilities seriously and with commitment to hold the Public Trust without any reservation. He is a person with integrity, perseverance and personal commitment to perform a given task with dignity the best way he knows how. Mr. Chairman and fellow Senators, I do not intent to sit here and glorify Eloy Songao Inos, but I know him personally and professionally, and is proud to offer my testimony this morning to this August body. He is the best choice for the Office of the Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. I can still offer more insights of Mr. Inos, but my time is limited and that still others in the Gallery who wanted to offer their comments on this very important nomination from the Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands, Honorable Benigno Repeki Fitial. Thank you, Si Yu’us Ma’ase and Ghilisow. Floor Leader Hofschneider: Thank you, Ms. Teregeyo. Antes di bai hu agan i sigente na speaker, malagu yu pago na bai hu faisen i gurupu guenao huyong na gi halom i dies, taya mu oppose esti na nominee ya kumo hu egun bola esti gi ten run rule, kumo 10-0 pues di ha na esta hu funhayan ha man gana i team lao pot enao malagu yu na bai hu agan si Mr. Leon Taisacan. Leon Taisacan: Mr. Chairman, hu gagagao na un susteni ha naya esti i minutu ya bai hu aplika i kostumbren Chamorro. Antes di ta tutuhon i kuentos-ta nai, kostombreta ni man Chamorro ta saluluda eyu siha i man magas ta guine gi tano kumo estague i traditionat ta, malagu yu na bai hu

-6-

SJ 16-32 May 1, 2009

kontinua taigueni. Ta rekoknisa i gobietnota ni gaige guine yan todo siha i kongresu ni man gaige guine yan Buenas Dias Mr. Chairman yan i membron esti na Committee as a Whole. Buente ti un fan lalalu yanggen ta alok ta Buenas Dias lokkue esti siha i man matu guine. Buenas Dias todos para i man mato. Mr. Chairman, ina’an hu si Leon Inos Taisacan. Guahu i mas amku gi chelun Eloy. Man numelo ham yan si Eloy. I familia man gaige guine. Nes pot para uma supota si Eloy sa kostombreta nai – tisina na para tita supota i cheluta lao kumo guahu ni amku, matu yu guine ti para bai hu doktrina hao Mr. Chairman yan membron esti na komitea. Matu yu guine enkuenta di familia para bai in gagao mina’ase yan supotasion gi atoridat ni manma pega giya hamyo para in konfitma esti chelu-hu kumo tenihenten gobietno. Hu komprendi si Eloy – tiempo-ku mas menus kini kuarentai anus. Si Eloy mafanagu gi kanai i otdinario na saina. Ma poksai otdinario na linala. Ha sotda hulo i familia – ti man gof saga lao ginen i odikasion i dos saina muna successful si Eloy. Si Eloy, edukao, famao, yan ma guaiya gi publiko. Gi hilo esti na hinengge muna i familia man ha’lum na enao na tinanchu nui gobietno sa guaha konfiansa gi as Eloy. Si Eloy ha tungo hafa maolek, si Eloy ha tungo mu gai amigo, lao si Eloy ti ha tungo gumai enimigo. Estague esti na patgon. I familia manman hongge na ti in nafan potdun i matan miyo, Mr. Chairman yan membron esti na komitea yanggen in konfitma gue. Si Eloy ha onra i obligasion ni manahi gue ya pot enao siempre man banidosu hamyo yanggen magahit na in konfitma. In tatayuyut ni familia na in nahi si Eloy ni position nai ha aliligao kumo tenihentin i gobietno. Si Eloy yan i familia mana siguguru giya hamyo na yanggen in konfitma gue, in fan banidosu sa i konfitmasion miyu para guiya ti lastima. Si Eloy hinenggen-na i para u ayuda i publiko yan para u ayuda i gobietnamento gi maolek na manera. Non kabesis na sina iningak ni para u chogue i babarias anai para in nina mahmahlao kumo hamyo ni gaige i authoridat ni para in konfitma gue. Tampoku lokkue i mas ha adahi gi linalana, i huna fan tetkon i familia. Gi hilo esti, Mr. Chairman yan members, in gagagao i mina’asen miyu na in konfitma si Eloy. Buenas Dias todos hamyo. Si Yu’us Ma’ase, Mr. Taisacan. Malagu yu pago bai hu faisen kao guaha mas malagu guenao gi Gallery para u testify pago na oga’an. Melvin Faisao: Lesoor Mwaimwai. Ngang Melvin Lawrence Odoshi Faisao. Ito lool serol iyel bwe ibwe tungoor ngaluugh ghami schol lool Senadot me yeel Chairman me bwal yeel Presidente. Sibwe tabwei ngali tengor ye yal Governor Benigno Repeki Fitial igha e fotoghilong mwal iye ital Mr. Eloy Inos bwe i ebwe mwoot bwe yaasch Lieutenant Governor. Mwal iyel ese alel yal mwaghutughut me yaal angang. Alongal yaal mwaghutughut nge angang schaagh lool mile imwaleer Amerikanu – eghi fiisch. Illa mille i toto lool soral iyel, i toto ngare ngaang refaluwasch bwe ibwe tto tingoor ngalighami schol lool Senadot bwe sibwe tipiyoo ngali yal tingor Governor bwe obwe apuntai mwal iye ital Eloy Inos bwe i yaasch aruschaiil samwol. Ila schagh, ghilisow, olomwaay. Floor Leader Hofschneider: Si Yu’us Ma’ase, Mr. Faisao. Mr. President, buenti man ready hit ya ta rekomenda na para ta resolve back to Session. President Pete P. Reyes: Mr. Chairman, before we do that, can we ask Vicky to just inform the Gallery that Mr. Faisao’s testimony is in support of the Candidate? [acknowledged]. Mr. Chairman, can you recognize Senator Mendiola.

-7-


Senator Joseph Mendiola: Hu tungo ha na esta todo man for i nominee, lao fana’an ha gogoti iyona testimony si Sinot Inos. Kao sina ha nahi i membron i Senadot dididi na kuentos pot planu-na. Hu tungo ha na maolek planu-na lao hagas man a’ali’e hit ya malagu hit talo para ta hungok ginen i nominee. For the record, at least dididi ha na testimony an sina. Eloy Inos: Thank you, Mr. Chairman, President, and members of this Honorable Body. Kon respetu para i esta man munahayan na supotadot para iyoku nomination. Hu gof agradesi todo I fino niha ya malagu yu pot i guaha siha taotao-ta ni ti ma konprendi i palabrata Chamorro yan lokkue i refaluwasch yahu na bai kuentusi hamyo dididi gi fino English. Before I proceed, let me first say that I would like to acknowledge the presence of my family, my friends, my wife is not here to witness this very important occasion, but I do have my children, my siblings, and relatives, friends, and I believe everyone in this Gallery is supporting this so…[applause] Thank you all. Mr. President and members of this Committee, thank you for considering my nomination and I am humble by Governor Fitial’s appointment to the position of Lieutenant Governor and I appreciate the opportunity to appear before you to address this nomination. The Office of the Lieutenant Governor is a very important Constitutional Office. And you now have to weigh the Constitutional Task of filling a Constitutional…for the people of the Commonwealth. Through this process, we demonstrate our system of local self government works. We can quickly fill this Constitutional void or Democracy works, our Constitution works – we are a community of laws and those laws will be honored and respected. Together, we can move quickly to address the Constitutional challenge of filling the Lieutenant Governor’s position when a vacancy was created. You know, the Constitution mandates that the Lieutenant Governor must be qualified to vote in the Commonwealth, must be at least 35 years of age, must be a resident and demosiliary of the Commonwealth for at least 10 years immediately preceding the date to which he or she will take office, and must not have been convicted of a felony in the Commonwealth or in any area under the jurisdiction of the United States. Mr. Chairman and Mr. President and members, I have met those Constitutional requirements, and I have submitted to the Committee all relevant information for your consideration. In addition, I have bring some 38 years of work experience, 26 years of which where an important and responsible public service positions. With your consent and more importantly with the consent of all people, I am willing to serve as your first appointed Lieutenant Governor and to uphold the Constitution and Laws of the Commonwealth as well as the applicable provisions of the Constitution, Laws and Treaties of the United States, so help me God. Thank you for considering my nomination. [applaud] Floor Leader Hofschneider: Thank you, Secretary Inos. At this time, I would like to respectfully ask the members if they have any testimonial for the nominee. The Chair recognized Senator Crisostimo. Senator Luis Crisostimo: Mr. Chairman, just for the record, since this is a very important position and all of us here today especially the people in the Gallery -- I want to put it on record if there is anybody in this Gallery that is against Secretary Inos’ nomination, I would like to call and maybe give a minute – yanggen guaha ti mu supopota, yahu na u gaige gi record na tatungo nai. Yanggen taya pues, Mr. Chairman, I think that we should move back to the session and confirm him.

-8-

SJ 16-32 May 1, 2009

Floor Leader Hofschneider: Thank you. We have given that opportunity already before the appointee. Let me recognize Senator Pangelinan. Senator Maria Pangelinan: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I just want to ask the next Lieutenant Governor – I am sure that we will confirm him today, but it is so obvious that one of the disagreement that we have within the Executive and the Legislative Branch is the appointment of the attorney general, and it is already been eight (8) months since we have not had an attorney general. It is not to question you, but I would really like for you as the next Lieutenant Governor to look into that matter and work with the Governor and have an attorney general in office because I really believe that the office really needs leadership – somebody to lead that office so we do not have that continuous disagreement on whether an acting attorney general should continue to be acting without time limit, and whether the acting attorney general is really the legitimate attorney general for the CNMI, . I believe that was one of the concern that was brought to my attention by the public and had asked me that I bring this to your attention and work with our Governor so that we would have a Lieutenant Governor as you mentioned, it is needed; and that it is Constitutionally mandated that it should be filled just like the need for an attorney general. Thank you. Floor Leader Hofschneider: Thank you, Senator Pangelinan. I would like to recognize Senator Paul Manglona. Senator Paul Manglona: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman and Mr. President, guine gi Lunes na ha’ane fana’an mamomokat hit guine gi san tatti pues man asuda hit yan si Congressman Dela Cruz – ha fafaisen hit supotasion para si Secretary Inos ya ilekna, kao sina mohon in supota si Eloy ya esta uma practice mona – Mr. President, ta ope’ na taimanu ha masangan pago na dia na bula esperensiana esti na taotao ya taimanu ha ilekna si Senator Crisostimo, taya man kontra pues hinasokku na esta man listu hit ni para ta address iyona nomination. Thank you yan good morning para todos ni man presenti na oga’an. Floor Leader Hofschneider: Thank you. Mr. President, before we resolve back into session, Mr. Inos there are couple of very sensitive issues that has been happening in our CNMI, and you are very much aware of it. I think it is one of the most juiciest if anything. I ask personally to continue our dialogue and work in trying to resolve the issue of the Retirement Fund, and there is no better person to handle that and take it to the next level rather than yourself. Bula maneluta guenao huyung man malagu man riterao lao pot esti i problema ni ta fafana. Guaha na biahi – ti guaha na biahi, lao tisina pago manma…siha gi retirement. Responsablidat mami guine gi lehislatura yan responsablidatmu kumo second in command as well as the fiduciary duty i board of trustees ni para uma protehi i Retirement Fund ya kada man huyong hit gui enao – i taotao Tinian manma a’atan ham pot ni hame mu represesenta siha ya i kuestion ni manma voice magi giya hame guaha na biahi nai hu sangani gi taiguine na ufan pasensia pot fabot ya bai in chagi taimano ni para bai in aregla. If anything enague uno ni bai hu faisen hao ya tachagi manu sina ta resolve gi esti manmamaila siha na tiempo. I mina dos, buenti gagaige ha i kalinturana eyu i ma’a’alok Swine Flu, tihu tungo taimanu significante-na enao ni para u afekta hit magi lao buenti esta iyon miyu depatamento kumo I DPH ma’a’atan enao lao gi magahit na hu mensiona esti sa taimanu ha ni masusedi eyu i SARS. Ha afekta hit magi guine ya ilek-hu na debi ha na ta atan esti ya tafan ayuda mona. Mr. President, I move to resolve back to session.

-9-


The motion to resolve back into session was seconded. President Pete P. Reyes: The motion has been made and seconded to return back to our session.

[The Senate rise back into plenary session at 10:35 a.m.] President Pete P. Reyes: We are back to our plenary session. We will continue to move down on our Agenda. I ask the Floor Leader if we can move down to item k of the Order of Business, without objection from the members. There was no objection. Floor Leader Hofschneider: Mr. President, may I have a moment please? President Pete P. Reyes: Let me call for a short recess.

The Senate recessed at 10:36 a.m.

RECESS

The Senate reconvened at 11:10 a.m. President Pete P. Reyes: We are back to our plenary session. Before we proceed, let me just take care of a minor formality here and ask the Clerk to do a roll call of the members.

The Clerk called the roll. All nine (9) members were present. President Pete P. Reyes: Just so we do not have any problems with the confirmation of the Lieutenant Governor, I wanted to make that formality for the record. I now recognize the Floor Leader. Floor Leader Hofschneider: Thank you, Mr. President. We have in front of us Standing Committee Report No. 16-47 in referenced to the nomination of Mr. Eloy Songao Inos to serve as the Lieutenant Governor. The recommendation further reads that the Committee on EAGI respectfully recommends the full Senate gives its advice and consent to confirm the appointment of Mr. Eloy S. Inos to serve as the Lieutenant Governor by adoption of this Committee. The motion was seconded. President Pete P. Reyes: The motion has been made and seconded. Is there any discussion? With the permission of the members, I would like to just make a brief statement. First, I would like to read part of the Standing Committee Report, and before I do that, I want to ask the legal counsel if the candidate meets all the qualification required under the Constitution?

-10-

SJ 16-32 May 1, 2009

Legal Counsel Tony Cabrera: Mr. President, yes, pursuant to his sworn declaration as attached to the Committee Report. President Pete P. Reyes: Thank you, legal counsel. I would like to just read out a part of the Committee Report and I quote, “Based on the foregoing, your Committee has examined the appointee’s work history, prior and current government service and other relevant information and concludes that Mr. Eloy S. Inos is qualified to serve as the Lieutenant Governor, and his service in that capacity for the remainder of the term will be benefit the people of the Commonwealth.” With the consent of the members, I also would like to make a very brief statement during the discussion period that the appointment of Mr. Eloy Inos by Governor Fitial is not only historical, but also very significant because Mr. Inos is receiving cross section support from all political parties in the Commonwealth. This is a first in the history of the Commonwealth, and from what I am able to receive during the confirmation discussion of Mr. Inos, not a single member of the House of Representatives registered not supporting Mr. Inos’ confirmation, and never have I seen such enormous support for any single appointment than the present appointment of Mr. Inos for the position of Lieutenant Governor. And as the record will show, I will join the entire members of the Senate with pride to be a part of this historical event and support the confirmation of Mr. Eloy Inos. Is there any further discussion by the members? Several members voiced, “ready.” President Pete P. Reyes: Let me recognize Senator Crisostimo. Senator Luis Crisostimo: Mr. President and members, all of us are waiting for this moment to be on record in support of Mr. Inos. Mr. Inos is an asset to the Commonwealth and a dear friend of my family. I consider him a brother. In the Committee that we have gone through, I have listened and I see no opposition either from any member of the community both Saipan, Tinian and Rota and abroad, and I encourage the members to support him. In the Legislature, we never had so much people. Eloy is a people person and he is a friend of everybody and I just want to put it on record that my family members fully support him. Si Yu’us Ma’ase and thank you. President Pete P. Reyes: Is there any further discussion from the members? If not, Clerk, please roll call. The Clerk called the roll on the motion to adopt Standing Committee Report No. 16-47 on Final Reading.

Senator Luis P. Crisostimo yes Senator Paterno S. Hocog yes Senator Jude U. Hofschneider yes Senator Paul A. Manglona yes

Senator Felix T. Mendiola yes Senator Joseph M. Mendiola yes Senator Maria Frica T. Pangelinan yes Senator Henry H. San Nicolas yes Senate President Pete P. Reyes yes

-11-


President Pete P. Reyes: With all nine members voting yes, Standing Committee Report No. 16-47 is hereby adopted and by that adoption hereby confirms the appointment of Mr. Eloy S. Inos to the position of Lieutenant Governor. Congratulations. Let me call for a short recess.


RECESS

The Senate reconvened at 11:35 a.m. President Pete P. Reyes: We are back to our session. I recognize the Floor Leader. Floor Leader Hofschneider: Mr. President, under the Order of Business, we are still under the Reports of Standing Committee. At this time, I would like to move for the adoption of Standing Committee Report No. 16-46 in referenced to House Bill No. 16-166. The motion was seconded. President Pete P. Reyes: The motion has been made and seconded. Is there any discussion? Let me recognize Senator Pangelinan. Senator Maria Pangelinan: Mr. President, I would like to explain the current situation of the bill.. The Committee Report has a substitute bill that might have a negative impact on our already declining revenue. I would like to seek the comment of the Secretary of Finance and the Revenue Office to make sure that this proposal would not diminish our already declining revenue collection and affect our budget. So with that, the Committee Report will not change and we should go ahead and adopt it, but I would like to request the input of the Director of Finance to make sure that we do not have a big impact on Section 5, page 4 of the substitute bill. Thank you. President Pete P. Reyes: Does this mean that we are not going to act on the bill until you have the opportunity to go ahead and review further? Is that okay with the members? Several members voiced, “yes.” President Pete P. Reyes: Is there any further discussion? If not, all in favor for the adoption of Standing Committee Report No. 16-46 say, “aye”.


The motion was carried by voice vote.

-12-

SJ 16-32 May 1, 2009

President Pete P. Reyes: The motion is carried. Clerk, please make sure that House Bill No. 16-166 remain on the Calendar for Final Reading. We will take that up on our next session. Let me recognize the Floor Leader. Floor Leader Hofschneider: Mr. President, I move for recess for lunch. The motion was seconded. President Pete P. Reyes: The motion has been made and seconded. All in favor say, “aye”.


The motion was carried by voice vote. President Pete P. Reyes: The motion is carried. We will go on recess and reconvene at 1:30 p.m.


RECESS

The Senate reconvened at 2:10 p.m. President Pete P. Reyes: We are back to our plenary session. Let me first go through the process and start with the Messages of the Governor.

MESSAGES FROM THE GOVERNOR

1. Gov. Msg. No. 16-453: April 16, 2009 – Signed into law H.B. No. 16-145, HD2, entitled, “To mandate the Commonwealth Government to prioritize and pay the retirement employer contributions of government employees who are eligible to retire; and for other purposes,” becomes PUBLIC LAW NO. 16-36.

2. Gov. Msg. No. 16-454: April 15, 2009 – Signed into law H.B. No. 16-187, entitled,

“To Section 7 (a) (2) and repeal and reenact Section 7(c) of the Rota Casino Act of 2007,” becomes PUBLIC LAW NO. 16-37.

3. Gov. Msg. No. 16-455: April 03, 2009 – Certification for annual salary in excess of

$50,000 for Mr. Michael Brown, Assistant Public Defender. 4. Gov. Msg. No. 16-456: April 16, 2009 – Certification for annual salary in excess of

$50,000 for Dr. Mary Hernandez (Pediatrician) at CHC.

-13-


5. Gov. Msg. No. 16-457: April 16, 2009 – Certification for annual salary in excess of $50,000 for Dr. Glen Richard, M.D. at CHC.


$50,000 for Mr. Braddock Huesman at the Office of the Attorney General.

7. Gov. Msg. No. 16-459: April 16, 2009 – Certification for annual salary in excess of $50,000 for Dr. Robert Silk, M.D. at CHC.

8. Gov. Msg. No. 16-460: April 16, 2009 – Copy of resume, statement of financial

interest, and drug test receipt of Mr. Juan S. Demapan appointed to serve as a member of the NMC Board of Regents.


$50,000 for Mr. Anthony Raho (Pharmacist) at CHC.

10. Gov. Msg. No. 16-462: April 20, 2009 – Certification for annual salary in excess of $50,000 for Dr. Chad C. Lowe (Physician) at CHC.

11. Gov. Msg. No. 16-463: April 24, 2009 – Signed into law S.B. No. 16-22, SS1, SD1,

HS1, HD1, entitled, “To amend parts of 1 CMC 6101 et seq., the Northern Mariana Islands Election Law,” becomes PUBLIC LAW NO. 16-38.

12. Gov. Msg. No. 16-464: April 24, 2009 – Disapproved S.B. No. 16-49, HD1, entitled,

“To amend 1 CMC, Division 8, § 8245 (c).” (Compensation of the Resident Dept. Heads)

13. Gov. Msg. No. 16-465: April 27, 2009 – Appointment of Mr. Eloy S. Inos to serve

as the Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. 14. Gov. Msg. No. 16-466: April 21, 2009 – Coordination of Government Training.

15. Gov. Msg. No. 16-467: April 29, 2009 – Re-appointment of Ms. Tina I. Kukkun to

serve as a member of the Civil Service Commission to represent Saipan.

16. Gov. Msg. No. 16-468: April 29, 2009 – Re-appointment of Ms. Margarita T. Prater to serve as a member of he CPA to represent Saipan.


$50,000.00 to allow Dr. William Lytowski at CHC, DPH.

18. Gov. Msg. No. 16-470: April 29, 2009 - Certification for annual salary in excess of $50,000.00 to allow Dr. Priyantha Wijayagunaratne at THC.

19. Gov. Msg. No. 16-471: April 30, 2009 – Additional information to Mr. Eloy S. Inos

appointment to serve as the Lt. Governor.

-14-

SJ 16-32 May 1, 2009

President Pete P. Reyes: Is there any discussion under Messages from the Governor? Senator Maria Pangelinan: Mr. President, I know that Public Law 16-32 requires certification for replacement of hiring, but it did not change the certification requirement on the salary increase. I know that the form required by the legislature is being used as required by the budget act. I would hope that your office is keeping copies of these approval forms to compare with the 2010 budget at the end of the fiscal year. The provision in the budget act restricts the hiring of non-critical positions. The form is supposed to help us keep track of new hirings and approval by the presiding officers would be made when found to be in compliance with the budget act. We are not really sure how the certification for increase in salaries are being funded. This is very difficult to follow and are probably the cause of occurring deficits. The Chair recognized Senator Joseph Mendiola. Senator Joseph Mendiola: Mr. President, I see that S. B. No. 16-49 has been disapproved by the Governor, and I guess the major concern is of the Division Directors in the island of Saipan – so for the members’ information, I will be reintroducing the same bill with the respective directors in Saipan as brought up by the Governor. However, I still state that at this point in time, in Tinian, the Deputy Directors are getting paid higher than the Resident Director and there is – not a big moral problem, but there is a moral problem between the department and I believe that it is the same situation in Rota. So members’ information, I will be introducing another bill that will reflect the Division Directors on the island of Saipan along with the Resident Directors of both Tinian and Rota. Thank you. President Pete P. Reyes: You are right, those types of situation causes a moral problem. Let me recognize the Vice President. Senator Felix Mendiola: Mr. President, this is just a food for thought that may require careful consideration on how we may go about this. Of course the Fiscal Affairs Chairwoman has been quite clear that we just do not have any more funds to deal with some of the dilemma that we are having. I am talking specifically about MVA, and I just got word that yesterday, Mr. Perry Tenorio was in Rota and had informed his MVA employees there of the June 1st furlough. The Rota MVA personnel were calling our office about him giving them a furlough, with the exception of one lady employee who will only be working four (4) hours a week that effective on June 1st until the end of the Fiscal Year. So, this is just food for thought because of what Congressman Killili Sablan had told us that with the Governor’s discretion on the “indirect costs” amount granted from the stimulus funds that he can prevent furloughs at least in the mean time. It is just something that I will ask the members here to please let us be receptives of this crisis that is happening. I will ask that we get together and see what remedies we can do. Thank you. The Chair recognized Senator Pangelinan. Senator Maria Pangelinan: Just to follow up on that comment. What happened is that PL 16-32 budgeted for $900,000 some thousand dollars which is much less than the continuing resolution level. This is one good example of how important it is to pass a budget on time. The Marianas

-15-


Visitor’s Authority evidently were allotted at a continuing resolution level before we overrode the budget. MVA explained that their commitment and their goal would not be affected by transferring $200,000.00 to personnel from all others to prevent reduction in hours or furlough. . The sad news is that for 2010, the budget transmittal from the Governor is saying that there is no growth in tourism anticipated for 2010. MVA’s budget would still see a reduction of at least one million dollars for next fiscal year. The Chair recognized Vice President Felix Mendiola. Senator Felix Mendiola: One thing that concerns me – this maybe hearsay. Although we do not hire people or the hiring is not on salary basis, but by contracts now, and hiring is hiring, but I thought that we are advocating no new hire. I believe that we should dialogue with the Administration to see if we can – I think that it is sad to say that we are again in a political season, and those are some of the carrots that were normally being tossed out. These are some of the things that we need to dialogue with the Administration to see whether we can really squeeze some austerity measures so that we can actually ensure that there are no new hire and only for essential services, and if the Congressman’s words is factual that – I believe that this stimulus is to prevent loss of job and to create job. This would be something that I personally would like to sit down with the Lieutenant Governor and the Governor so that we can come up with relief or remedy on how we are going to actually use the stimulus to sustain some of these people before we come up with any actual long term solution to our problems. Thank you. The Chair recognized the Floor Leader. Floor Leader Hofschneider: I want to share a little bit of my understanding with this as I had an opportunity to be invited to join in with the members of the House regarding the subject that we are discussing were I tend to agree with what the Chair of Fiscal Affairs was saying about the shuffling of funds and the strategy on how to avoid on certain employees at MVA. If the words that the Senate Vice President is saying that they can utilize the stimulus funds to augment the shortfall and to continue on with the operation of MVA, perhaps we can – by a way of legislation, we can authorize the transfer of funds, but then support the idea or recommend to the MVA Board to instead of giving it to hire people because it is only a temporary funds from the stimulus, but put it over to operations or the advertising of the stimulus funds to further and continue on with the marketing and operations of MVA. Perry Tenorio was very aggressive in coming down and saying that this is what is going to happen up until June 1st, and $200,000 is a reflective of the rest of the fiscal year. Just allowing them to transfer from the operational side to the personnel side whereas we can use that as a mechanism to do just that, but we also want to recommend or even to put it on the bill itself to get some of the stimulus funds to recover some of the funds that was transferred over to rescue these employees. I recommend that we call them in again and meet with them and tell us the real story behind this and work with the MVA board. President Pete P. Reyes: I also received emails from both MVA and Representative Reyes regarding these, and I understand that there is already a bill drafted in the House to support reprogramming funds authority to allow Perry to reprogram money. As I understand, he is not asking for any additional funding, but just asking for the authority to reprogram. I notice in our Order of Business, we do not have the House Bill that would address this problem, but as soon as we

-16-

SJ 16-32 May 1, 2009

get that from the House, we will open that up for discussion with the members. I hope that we move on with those kinds of legislation as time is of the essence. Is there any further discussion on the rest of the Messages from the Governor? Let me recognize Senator Manglona. Senator Paul Manglona: Mr. President, I would just like to comment on Governor’s Communication No. 16-468. It is not about the nominee, but rather about the agency CPA. Mr. President, I would just like to ask the Chairman of EAGI that for considering the nominee of Ms. Prater since she is the only nomination before us, that if we can call in CPA and use that opportunity to ask questions regarding their plan to put up a toll booth at the commuter airport. I have no problem in putting up toll booth if it is for the parking spaces, charging for purposes of charging fees because we all realize the need to raise revenue for CPA to assist them. My concern, Mr. President with that is that, how do they handle passengers or vehicles that are just there to be dropped off? We do not want a situation like down at the harbor where even to just drop somebody off or pick somebody up, you have to pay a dollar just to go in. I think that they failed to consider that or maybe they have a plan to charge anybody that goes through the domestic terminal. I think that we need to hear from them because for me, it is not the right time especially because they already have meters for the parking stoll. This is a duplication and maybe it is not working, but I do not know if they can do something else to make that work because they have meters at every stoll. I do not know why they have to put a booth there, but if the intention is just for the parking spaces, I do not have a concern about that. I am planning to be off-island again, and I just hope that the members can address that before they address any further CPA nominee. Thank you. President Pete P. Reyes: Let me just also ask the Chairman to take this opportunity to just call one public hearing so that we can entertain Mr. Demapan on Governor’s Communication No. 16-460, and Governor’s Communication No. 16-467 and Governor’s Communication No. 16-468 so we can dispose of any other pending confirmation appointment by the Governor. Please take note of that Mr. Chairman. Let me recognize Senator Pangelinan. Senator Maria Pangelinan: I noticed too that these are reappointments, and I do not know who is really at fault whether the appointee or the Governor’s Office. Sometimes they have to withdraw because the appointee is not aware of what he or she is supposed to provide to the Chair, and I would hope that the Governor when they make the appointment that they would please go through the process of what is required by the Chair and the Legislature so that the appointee will not be left in a limbo not knowing or wondering what happen to his or her confirmation. I would like the Office of the Governor to assist them in ensuring that all the right documents be transmitted to the legislature with the appointment letter so that we do not have to wait for missing documents. . That would really expedite the confirmation hearing and get us working. Thank you. President Pete P. Reyes: Can I ask Rose Hocog to take note of that? Just ask them or remind them that their requirements are needed and to please submit those so that it would not cause any delay in their confirmation. Is there any further discussion from the members? I recognize Senator Crisostimo. Senator Luis Crisostimo: I just want to go back again in light of the problem with the MVA. It was brought to my attention by one of the employees that they were given or receiving less than 80 hours, and I wondered if the House of Representative gave Perry Tenorio then the wishes of

-17-


reprogramming from his promotional to operational account for salary, and I hope that he can go back and assure all those employees including those employees in Rota that were told that they will be on furlough, and assure those people that they will have a job. Sometimes the employees at MVA today are really the marketing people and the people that are more diligent in the industry sector of tourism, and they probably know more and if we loose these valuable employees and finding new employees to replace them it’ll probably take time to understand what the profile of that employees’ duties and responsibilities are. I am afraid of that, Mr. President. So, Madam Chair, I think that we should hopefully give them if that is within their budget and give them that, but I think that we have to advice them…[End of Tape 2, Side A]…scare your employee. How can you go to your family and say, I cannot pay for my bill next month. I cannot pay for your food. These are challenges that we in the Legislature should also feel and be considerate to especially an island like Rota. It is a tough place to live. In Saipan, we can catch a ship, but in Rota, not everyday a ship comes in. Before you exit Rota, you need to $200.00 to go in and out, and I feel for them too. Si Yu’us Ma’ase, Mr. President.

COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE JUDICIARY

(NONE)

COMMUNICATIONS FROM HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS

1. Dept. Msg. No. 16-73: April 13, 2009 – Secretary of DPW Delegation of Authority to Mr. Joseph M. Inos Jr. Acting Director of Technical Services Division.

President Pete P. Reyes: Is there any discussion?

There was no discussion.

COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE HOUSE

1. Hse. Comm. No. 16-248: April 28, 2009 – Representative Apatang letter of support to Mr. Eloy S. Inos appointment for Lt. Governor.

2. Hse. Comm. No. 16-249: April 27, 2009 – Representative Reyes letter to MVA

reprogramming of funds for personnel cost.

3. Hse. Comm. No. 16-250: April 23, 2009 – Office of the Speaker Delegation of Authority to Vice-Speaker Joseph P. Deleon Guerrero as Acting House Speaker.

President Pete P. Reyes: Is there any discussion from the members? There was no further discussion.

COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE WASHINGTON REPRESENTATIVE

(NONE)

-18-

SJ 16-32 May 1, 2009

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

(NONE)

PRE-FILED BILLS AND RESOLUTIONS

1. Senate Resolution No. 16-35: Expressing the Senate’s best wishes to all participants for

a fruitful and successful meeting at the 2nd Annual Pacific Mayors’ Conference and Trade Fair held on May 14 to 17, 2009, at the Fiesta Resort & Spa, Saipan. (Sen. Pete P. Reyes and all members – 04/30/09)

Floor Leader Hofschneider: I move for the placement of Senate Resolution No. 16-35 on today’s Resolution Calendar. The placement motion was seconded. President Pete P. Reyes: The motion has been made and seconded. Is there any discussion? All in favor for the placement say, “aye”.


The motion was carried by voice vote. President Pete P. Reyes: The motion is carried. Floor Leader, recognize for the adoption. Floor Leader Hofschneider: I move for the adoption of Senate Resolution No. 16-35. The motion was seconded. President Pete P. Reyes: Is there any discussion? During discussion, I know that I sent out a letter to each one of the members. I urged all the members to submit their application to participate so that we have sufficient time for Finance to process the fees. This is a very important function. I understand from the Chairwoman of the Municipal Council that the Governor has graciously found a small amount of money to support this program. We have participations as far as Philippines and other Asian areas. This is a major endeavor to host such an important group of people. So I ask the members to please fill out your application forms and submit it to Finance. Is there any further discussion on this? Ready. Several members voiced, “ready.” President Pete P. Reyes: All in favor of the adoption of Senate Resolution No. 16-35 say, “aye”.

Several members voiced, “aye”.

-19-


President Pete P. Reyes: All opposed say, “nay”.

The motion was carried by voice vote. President Pete P. Reyes: The motion is carried. If the members do not mind, can I go ahead and have this introduced by the Committee of the Whole? There was no objection.

REPORTS OF STANDING COMMITTEES

1. Standing Committee Report No. 16-46: April 30, 3009 – From the Fiscal Affairs Committee reporting on H.B. No. 16-166, HS1, entitled, “To assess a fee on plastic checkout bags distributed in the Commonwealth; and for other purposes.”

The Chair recognized Floor Leader Hofschneider. Floor Leader Hofschneider: Mr. President, being that we disposed of item k earlier today, I request that we move to the Bill Calendar. There was no objection.

REPORTS OF SPECIAL AND CONFERENCE COMMITTEES

(NONE)

RESOLUTION CALENDAR

(NONE)

BILL CALENDAR:

FIRST READING

LEG. NO. TITLE

FINAL READING

LEG. NO. TITLE

-20-

SJ 16-32 May 1, 2009

H.B. No. 16-166, HS1 (Hse. Comm 16-219)

To assess a fee on plastic checkout bags distributed in the Commonwealth

S.B. No. 16-48, SD1 To establish the Vocational – Technical Education Program Scholarship for five years

Floor Leader Hofschneider: Thank you, Mr. President. If you noticed earlier today, we adopted a Standing Committee Report from the Fiscal Affairs in referenced to this particular bill, so if I may, I want to make the proper motion to go ahead and place this on First Reading and leave it there until the Fiscal Affairs Chair is ready to dispose of this particular bill? President Pete P. Reyes: I believed that we already passed this on First Reading. Can we just leave it on Second Reading and not act on it, if there is no objection from the members? There was no objection. President Pete P. Reyes: Floor Leader, on the next bill? Floor Leader Hofschneider: I move for the passage of Senate Bill No. 16-48, and that is to establish the Vocational – Technical Education Program Scholarship for five years. The motion was seconded. President Pete P. Reyes: The motion has been made and seconded. Is there any discussion? Let me recognize Senator Manglona. Senator Paul Manglona: Mr. President, I just want to make one amendment, and that is on page 3, line 14 where there is a provision Section 1 there that says, to maintain a GPA of 3.0. Since this might not be applicable in some of these trade schools or courses, that we just delete that, and maybe just make that section (d), read as follow: “As a condition of continuing scholarship assistant, a scholarship recipient shall submit a certified copy of the grades for each grading period.” That would be just a simple section (d). The reason is that under subsection 103, they have already authorized the Scholarship Office to just promulgate their rules and regulations to effectively implement this act. So, as far as the other provisions, Mr. President – the reason why this is only for five years is that – so that with the reporting requirement, the Legislature at that point in the future can then decide whether to continue this or to make changes to this Law as there is a reporting requirement there. I understand that this also applies to nursing students and as you know, Mr. President, presently, these students do not get any financial assistance from the CNMI Scholarship Board. If you are not seeking an AA or a BS degree in any institution, you do not get any assistance, and this is to channel some of this assistance to these students who are seeking nursing education. At this point, let me make that motion on page 3, removing the requirement under (d)(1), about the

-21-


GPA requirement, and to just make subsection (b) a sentence complying with subsection 2. As explained earlier, I so moved. The amendment was seconded. President Pete P. Reyes: The motion has been moved and seconded. Is there any discussion? All in favor of the floor amendment say, “aye”.


The motion was carried by voice vote. President Pete P. Reyes: The motion is carried. Senate Bill No. 16-48 has been amended. Is there any further discussion? Senator Pangelinan, recognized. Senator Maria Pangelinan: Who are the officials on the Board of Higher Education now? Senator Paul Manglona: It used to be NMC, but because of the Constitutional amendment, I believe – I do not know, Mr. President the status of the – I thought that we did that under the Constitutional amendment. I think that we passed it at the last election. Maybe short recess so that we can ask the legal counsel, Mr. President. President Pete P. Reyes: Let me call for a short recess.

The Senate recessed at 2:40 p.m.

RECESS

The Senate reconvened at 2:50 p.m. President Pete P. Reyes: We are back to our plenary session. Floor Leader recognized. Floor Leader Hofschneider: Thank you, Mr. President. I think that we are entertaining a motion to pass with amendments on the bill. President Pete P. Reyes: Are we ready? Several members voiced, “ready.” President Pete P. Reyes: Clerk, please roll call. The Clerk called the roll on the motion to pass Senate Bill 16-48,SD1 on Final Reading.

Senator Luis P. Crisostimo yes

-22-

SJ 16-32 May 1, 2009

Senator Paterno S. Hocog yes Senator Jude U. Hofschneider yes Senator Paul A. Manglona yes

Senator Felix T. Mendiola excused Senator Joseph M. Mendiola yes Senator Maria Frica T. Pangelinan yes Senator Henry H. San Nicolas yes Senate President Pete P. Reyes yes President Pete P. Reyes: With all eight (8) members voting “yes”, Senate Bill No. 16-48, SD1 hereby passes on Final Reading. Floor Leader, recognize. Floor Leader Hofschneider: We have nothing further on the Calendar, Mr. President.

PETITIONS, MEMORIALS AND MISCELLANEOUS COMMUNICATIONS

1. Misc. Comm. No. 16-338: April 09, 2009 – Man Amko organization appreciation

for contribution.

2. Misc. Comm. No. 16-339: April 15, 2009 – Association of Pacific Island Local Governments (APILG) 2nd Annual Conference to be held on Saipan May 14 to 17th, 2009.

3. Misc. Comm. No. 16-340: April 16, 2009 – CNMI Youth Congress Island Wide

Cleanup. 4. Misc. Comm. No. 16-341: April 16, 2009 – MVA meeting request regarding

Reduction-in-Force that MVA intent to implement in June. 5. Misc. Comm. No. 16-342: April 17, 2009 – American Recovery and Reinvestment

Act of 2009 (ARRA) Power Div Distribution Trucks and Equipment/Sadog Tasi Wastewater Treatment Plan Project/Saipan Waterline Replacement/Water Distribution Repair/Well Improvement: CUC.

6. Misc. Comm. No. 16-343: April 17, 2009 – American Recovery and Reinvestment

Act of 2009 (ARRA) LaoLao Bay Road Improvement: DEQ Agingan Wastewater Plan Rehab: CUC and Customs Enforcement Initiative: Customs.

7. Misc. Comm. No. 16-344: April 18, 2009 – Youth Congress Bill No. 11-2 – To

prohibit the use of hand held mobile devices, be it talking or text messaging, while operating a vehicle.

8. Misc. Comm. No. 16-345: April 18, 2009 – Youth Congress Resolution No. 11-12 –

Requesting 16th Legislature to subsidize funding for the members of the Youth Congress to attend the Youth for Youth Live, 19th Annual Youth for Youth Conference.

-23-


9. Misc. Comm. No. 16-346: April 18, 2009 – Youth Congress Resolution No. 11-13 –

Commending Marianas Baptist Academy Mock Trial Team. 10. Misc. Comm. No. 16-347: April 18, 2009 – Youth Congress Bill No. 11-3 – To

strengthen penalties for minors consuming alcoholic beverages and establishments and person selling alcoholic beverages to minors and to amend certain sections of 4 CMC, Division 5, Chapter 5.

11. Misc. Comm. No. 16-348: April 20, 2009 – American Recovery and Reinvestment

Act of 2009 (ARRA) Lift Stations Duplex Pumps: CUC. 12. Misc. Comm. No. 16-349: April 21, 2009 – NMC Delegation of Authority – Acting

BOR Chairperson. 13. Misc. Comm. No. 16-350: April 21, 2009 – Zoning Board regarding temporary

office schedule. 14. Misc. Comm. No. 16-351: April 23, 2009 – American Recovery and Reinvestment

Act of 2009 (ARRA) Rural Business Opportunity Grant: NMTI. 15. Misc. Comm. No. 16-352: April 27, 2009 – Information needed from NMI

Retirement Fund regarding staffing and cost reduction measures taken. 16. Misc. Comm. No. 16-353: April 27, 2009 – Letter of Support from Mr. Freddy U.

Hofschneider, Jr. for the appointment of Lt. Governor - Mr. Eloy S. Inos. 17. Misc. Comm. No. 16-354: April 01, 2009 –Palms Resort Saipan regarding GTC

Elementary Golf Tournament Fundraiser. 18. Misc. Comm. No. 16-355: April 16, 2009 –NMI Retirement – failure to remit to

Worker’s Comp. Commission. 19. Misc. Comm. No. 16-356: April 16, 2009 –NMI Retirement – retirees illegally

double-dipping. 20. Misc. Comm. No. 16-357: April 24, 2009 –Professor Michel Lupant 23rd

International Congress of Vexillology (study of flags) visit to Saipan. 21. Misc. Comm. No. 16-358: April 28, 2009 – LB Director regarding training for

Legal Counsels – the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. and Guma Esperansa – Karidat.

22. Misc. Comm. No. 16-359: April 28, 2009 – PowerLine – The Federation of Electric

Power Companies of Japan.

-24-

SJ 16-32 May 1, 2009

23. Misc. Comm. No. 16-360: April, 2009 – Association of Mariana Islands Mayors, Vice Mayors regarding lowering fees it assesses to boaters entering CNMI Harbors.

24. Misc. Comm. No. 16-361: April 29, 2009 – Letter of Support for Mr. Eloy Inos, Lt.

Governor. 25. Misc. Comm. No. 16-362: April 22, 2009 – CNMI Nursing Association regarding

the hosting of the 2009 American Pacific Nursing Leaders Conference on June 15-19, 2009.

26. Misc. Comm. No. 16-363: April 29, 2009 –MVA’s response to Rep. Reyes’ request

on FY 2009 Budget. 27. Misc. Comm. No. 16-364: May 01, 2009 – Letter of Support from Acting

Commissioner, DOC for the appointment of Mr. Eloy S. Inos appointed to serve as the Lt. Governor for the CNMI.

28. Misc. Comm. No. 16-365: May 01, 2009 – Letter of Support from Mr. Tom

Quitugua, Mayor’s Advisor Rota for the appointment of Mr. Eloy S. Inos appointed to serve as the Lt. Governor for the CNMI.

29. Misc. Comm. No. 16-366: Ltr of support 30. Misc. Comm. No. 16-367: Ltr of support 31. Misc. Comm. No. 16-368: Ltr of support 32. Misc. Comm. No. 16-369: Ltr of support 33. Misc. Comm. No. 16-370: Ltr of support 34. Misc. Comm. No. 16-371: Ltr of support

There was no discussion.

MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS

President Pete P. Reyes: For the members who have not seen the Man amko – Senior Citizen’s Movie, this is starring the members of the Senior Citizen. I have seen it with my wife. It is a real comical and very interesting movie featuring our Man amko as actors and actresses. I strongly urged the members to watch that. It is a very enjoyable and entertaining. Let me recognize Senator Manglona. Senator Paul Manglona: I am just passing around a copy of a letter I wrote to our U.S. Congressman Sablan, basically to remind him that every five years there is a multi-financing appropriation made by Congress on the Federal Highway Funding, and so this is the opportunity to

-25-


get an increase on our annual appropriation. In addition to that, some fixed authorization for projects on Federal Highway. So maybe some of our members can call our Congressman or even communicate with agencies like the Department of Transportation for specific projects, and if we can somehow work with our Public Works so that we can do some lobbying in Congress to take advantage of the opportunity for these multi-year funding. I just want to share that with the members. Thank you. President Pete P. Reyes: Is there any further discussion under Miscellaneous Business? Floor Leader Hofschneider: Nothing further, Mr. President.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

President Pete P. Reyes: My office will be drafting up a memorandum for each member to go down to the Family Court (Judge Govendo’s Courtroom) at the Superior Court on Tuesday. We are going down at 9:00 a.m., so I ask the members to please keep that in mind. I ask the members to be here on Saipan. The memo will be ready by Monday morning. I have just been informed that some of the members will be meeting regarding the Immigration issue on Tuesday and Wednesday so I am going to task the legal counsel to inform me on Monday afternoon if there is a scheduled Family Court on Thursday and I will write the memo to the members for Thursday. This is very interesting and I strongly urge the members to be there. It is an opportunity, and Judge Govendo has issued the invitation to the members. I ask the members to please keep that in mind. I hope that we will all go down on Thursday. I recognize Senator Pangelinan. Senator Maria Pangelinan: I want to clarify that the Immigration Training is not restricted to legal counsels only. It is opened to everyone wishing to attend. I registered because it is important that we understand Immigration regulations that would be applicable to the CNMI when federal immigration takes over. So these are the things that you will learn from this workshop or training. It is only $10.00, and you pay at the entrance. I encourage my colleagues to attend because it would be very beneficial to all of us. This is going to be at the NAPU Room, PIC. At first, I was intimidated too because I thought it was just for lawyers, but Karidat wrote me and told me that I should attend. So there are going to be social workers and other non-lawyers. So we should not let the lawyers intimidate us. The Chair recognized Senator Joseph Mendiola. Senator Joseph Mendiola: Mr. President, just an invitation to everybody in the Chamber to come and join us in celebrating our San Jose Fiesta. It is happening this weekend. The main event is tomorrow. Freedom Air is always going back and forth, and because of our economic situation, I cannot offer more than an invitation and I apologize for that. You are welcome to come down. If you need more information, you can call Senator Hofschneider, Senator San Nicolas or myself and we will help you out. President Pete P. Reyes: Just to inform the members also, the Taste of the Marianas is on every Saturday for the whole month of May. So if you miss tomorrow, you still have opportunities to go there and join the people of the Commonwealth. Is there any further discussion?

-26-

SJ 16-32 May 1, 2009

ADJOURNMENT

Floor Leader Hofschneider: Thank you, Mr. President. I move for adjournment subject to your call. Several members seconded the motion. President Pete P. Reyes: The motion has been made and seconded. All in favor of the motion say, “aye”.


The motion was carried by voice vote. President Pete P. Reyes: The Session is hereby adjourned.

The Senate adjourned at 3:00 P.M. subject to the Call of the Chair. Respectfully submitted, /s/ Victoria T Guerrero Journal Clerk

APPEARANCE OF SENATE LOCAL BILLS

LEG. NO. TITLE

-27-


-28-

THE SENATE SIXTEENTH LEGISLATURE C NORTHERN MARIANA ... · THE SENATE • SIXTEENTH LEGISLATURE •...

Documents

Transcript of THE SENATE SIXTEENTH LEGISLATURE C NORTHERN MARIANA ... · THE SENATE • SIXTEENTH LEGISLATURE •...