FLASHBACK Nov. 29, 1999-2005

Lack of quorum delays approval of CIP money[/B]

Due to lack of quorum, the House of Representatives failed to pass several key appropriation measures during its session Friday, including legislation that will set aside funding for capital improvement projects under the forthcoming $60 million bond float. Only 13 representatives were present during the session—the first conducted by the 18-member House since the Nov. 6 midterm elections—short of the required 14 votes for appropriation bills. Reps. Frank G. Cepeda, Jose A. Hocog, Dino M. Jones, Max Timmo Olopai, and Herman T. Palacios were absent during the whole-day session that was called specifically for the legislation setting aside funds generated from the recent bank loan under a CIP financing scheme approved earlier by lawmakers.

Members of the Governor’s Aviation Task Force made pitch last week with Air Nauru officials on the need for a direct Saipan-Manila service, according to Dave M. Sablan, chair of the Marianas Visitors Authority. During the meeting, Mr. Sablan pledged the CNMI’s support for the service once it pushes through. He said the CNMI government will also help Air Nauru should it decide to take the routes dropped earlier by Continental Micronesia. The task force was asking Air Nauru to consider Saipan-Palau-Manila and Manila-Palau-Saipan.

Tinian shuts door for Taliban[/B]

The federal government will have to allocate millions of dollars in additional funds for its military activities in the CNMI if plans to use Tinian as holding area for arrested terror suspects push through. Aside from the grave damage it will cause the Commonwealth’s tourism industry, Tinian also lacks the necessary facilities to hole up and prosecute members of the Taliban and the Al-Qaida Network. Marianas Visitors Authority Board Member JM Guerrero said it is logistically difficult for the federal government to detain the suspected terrorists on Tinian, in case Guam balks at suggestions to hold them on the island-territory.

Worried over the increasingly militant voices at the Senate regarding military activities in the Farallon de Mendinilla, the Saipan Chamber of Commerce yesterday sent an emissary to the upper chamber to secure its assurance over the continuation of the bombing exercises on the island. Mike Shaddeck, chairman of the chamber’s military affairs committee, briefly called on Senate President Paul A. Manglona yesterday morning and managed to secure a promise for the approval of a resolution that would signify the Senate’s support for military activities on Farallon de Mendinilla.

Snag hits land payments bond[/B]

The finalization of the $40-million land compensation bond has hit a snag amid certain concerns raised by bond investors, Gov. Juan N. Babauta disclosed yesterday. CNMI officials were supposed to fly to Honolulu to complete the bond transaction but the governor said this trip has been delayed for one week. “There’s a little hesitation among bond investors on the grade of the rating of the bonds and they are reevaluating that as we speak,” the chief executive explained.

Gov. Juan N. Babauta switched on last night the lights that illuminated the words “Peace on Earth” atop the Governor’s Mansion on Capitol Hill to signal the Northern Marianas’ official celebration of the Christmas season. The ceremonial switch-on, assisted by Marianas Visitors Authority’s Vicky Benavente and Saipan Mayor Juan Borja Tudela, simultaneously lit up sculptures along Beach Road and in the Tanapag and San Roque areas.

Three killed in vehicular accident[/B]

Three persons were killed while one was seriously injured in a vehicular accident along Beach Road in Chalan Laulau on early morning Sunday. Acting Department of Public Safety spokesman Eric David said the fatalities-two men and a woman-suffered severe injuries to the head and body and were pronounced dead on that same day at the Commonwealth Health Center. David said the fatalities, all Chinese workers aged 26 and 27, were on board a white 1997 four-door Honda Civic sedan.