Flashback March 7, 2000-2002

[B]MARCH 7, 2000

Sexual abuse case vs lawyer a retaliation?[/B] Questioning the motive of the Attorney General’s Office for filing a sexual abuse case against a prominent lawyer, Rep. Stanley T. Torres yesterday sought intervention by the Federal Bureau of Investigation to look into the matter in light of the two-year gap from the alleged incident. He said the move by government prosecutors is “extremely suspicious,” especially coming on the heels of attorney Joseph A. Arriola’s victory in a lawsuit that forced former acting Attorney General Maya B. Kara out of office. “This case smacks of retaliation for his successes against the AG’s office,” Mr. Torres said during a privilege speech at yesterday’s session of the House of Representatives.

[B]Financial institutions may halt lending until economy improves[/B] Slow business activities, which virtually cripple the borrowers’ ability to pay back, forced banking institutions in the Northern Marianas to carry out a more cautious approach in credit applications, resulting to a sharp decline in approved loans last year. This, even as finance experts claim that banks continue to expand their lending base, notwithstanding higher risks of delinquency due to lower returns of income in times of economic difficulties. Government records disclosed loans approved by private banks in the CNMI fell by $12 million to $288 million during the fourth quarter of last year from the previous period’s $300 million. Banking officials said commercial banks have adopted a more cautious, conservative approach in processing loan applications due to the worsening economic conditions in the islands.

[B]MARCH 7, 2001

Mandarin Air suspends Saipan flights[/B] Mandarin Airlines will cancel its flights to the Northern Marianas due to revenue losses incurred since November 2000 after the termination of charter agreement with Tinian Dynasty Hotel & Casino. Mandarin Air Saipan Station Manager Charlie Ling said Saipan-Taipei flights will be suspended beginning March 24 until June this year to prevent more losses, projected to reach $20,000 per roundtrip. Mandarin Air decided to suspend operations between Saipan and Taipei despite the recent signing of an agreement with Mobil Oil Marianas, granting a 10-cent reduction on aviation fuel for the carrier beginning May. The suspension also came amid pledges made by the CNMI government in terms of releasing about $100,000 in additional funds to finance tourism promotion in Taiwan.

[B]Guidelines for military exercise in FDM eyed[/B] The Senate is seriously looking at setting the guidelines for the US Military’s bombing exercises in Farallon de Medinilla, in fresh attempts to save the island north of Saipan from further destruction. Senate Floor Leader Pete P. Reyes disclosed plans to craft a resolution that would list down the kind of military activities that may be allowed in Farallon de Medinilla. While acknowledging that the CNMI allowed the island’s use for military exercise when it signed the Covenant with the US, Mr. Reyes said local leaders were not aware then of the environmental destruction that comes with the bombing.

[B]MARCH 7, 2002

Tighter belt for government[/B] Acting Gov. Diego T. Benavente will ask the Office of Management and Budget to implement a proportionate reduction on third and fourth quarter allotments in light of dwindling government revenues. Benavente said that, aside from the Public School System, all other government agencies and offices will receive lower quarterly allotments to prevent deeper depletion of public coffers. He said the PSS will be exempted from the proportionate reduction of allotments so as not to disrupt educational programs and services. “Education is the single most important component in our overall plans to reach the goals of our common future. For our businesses, that means having an educated, skilled workforce to meet your needs.”