Flashback April 25, 2000-2002

Another jailbreak[/B]

Police have launched a massive manhunt for the arrest of convicted felons Jesse James B. Camacho, 20, and Kurt M. Taisacan, 22,—two of the three inmates who bolted out of prison at around 9:40 p.m. Sunday. The third escapee, Luis Deleon Guerrero Camacho, 51, was apprehended by the police in Finasisu, four hours after he fled the prison. Maj. Clyde Norita asked the public to take precautionary measures as the escapees are considered armed and dangerous. He said DPS has also provided security to the victims and their families, regularly checking on them while the convicts are on the loose.

Senate Vice President Thomas P. Villagomez expressed confidence yesterday over winning the Republican primary, saying his team-up with Lt. Gov. Jesus R. Sablan assures victory for GOP in next year’s elections. “We’re going to work for it. I feel that with my record, along with Pepero’s record, we’re going to make a better team,” he told in an interview, his first since Mr. Sablan announced his running mate two weeks ago. The Pepero-Kiyu ticket is expected to face the team of CNMI representative to Washington Juan N. Babauta and Rep. Diego T. Benavente in the Republican primary to be held later or early next year.

Juvenile offenders increasing[/B]

The Division of Youth Services yesterday reported an alarming increase in the number of juvenile delinquents in the Northern Marianas, with Hopwood Junior High School students topping the list of young offenders. At least 50 percent or about 54 of the 101 offenses committed by CNMI youths for the month of March alone were reported among Hopwood students; 37 of which were truancy while 17 were for alleged possession of controlled substance. The alarming truancy cases was reported even as students are regularly being picked up and dropped by school buses between the school and their residence, according to DYS Juvenile Probation Unit Supervisor Sylvio Ada Jr.
[B] Taiwanese investors show interest in NMI[/B]

A group of Taiwanese investors has signified intentions to infuse fresh capital into the Northern Marianas by venturing into computer software and furniture production, a development enticed by recently-enacted investment incentives law. Free Trade Zone Authority Chair Karl Reyes met with Taipei Economic and Cultural Office Director-General Leo Chen-Jan Lee last week where possible business ventures by Taiwanese investors into the CNMI were discussed. The FTZA met with the Taiwanese trade delegation last April 16 at the Department of Commerce to tackle business opportunities at the proposed free trade zones in the Commonwealth.

DOLI: No fee to get ATB[/B]

Applications for Authorization to Board letters are not for a fee.
Labor and Immigration Secretary Joaquin A. Tenorio said this, confirming that he received a complaint alleging that there were fixers charging a fee in exchange for facilitating ATB applications. As this developed, Philippine Consul General Julia Heidemann echoed the reminder that ATBs are not for a fee, saying that based on the complaint she learned from a meeting with Tenorio, the fixers have been charging as much as $120. “The ATB is free. According to the Secretary, he has heard that some people are asking for fee to facilitate the ATB,” Heidemann said. “The Secretary said no. There’s no fee for ATB, and they need not look for people to facilitate. Discourage fixers; it’s not good for the administration to have.”

The Babauta administration marked its first 100 days in office last Tuesday, with Gov. Juan N. Babauta saying that, beyond the specific problems and issues facing his administration, what he considers the biggest challenge for his government is changing the attitude of the community. “To work together, to pull our resources together and to lessen the acrimonious relationship that have gone through between the administration and the Legislature in the past, which are things that slow us down,” Babauta said. With the rest of his term before him, Babauta told reporters this is a much bigger challenge that he and Lt. Governor Diego Benavente would be working on.