Flashback — Jan. 2000-Jan. 2002

Tight monitoring of public funds’ use sought [/B]

In attempts to continue stretching the Commonwealth’s dwindling resources in order not to disrupt the delivery of basic social services, the government has been urged to strictly monitor its use of public funds. At the same time, Sen. Ramon S. Deleon Guerrero dared the government’s financial managers to come up with a workable plan of action to arrest possible consequences of a depleting public coffers like “payless paydays.” “We should account for every penny we spend from the public fund. There should be a strict articulation of our use of government money,” said Guerrero.

Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio is mum on the move by the Senate to force acting Attorney General Maya B. Kara out of office, but he may have another plan in the offing to give in to pressures by lawmakers. He disclosed that he will meet with members of his Cabinet soon to discuss ways on how to work closely with members of the Legislature and the business community as he pledged at the inaugural session Monday. “We have to find a way to continue to exchange communications that need to be done in order for us to improve the [laws] we have now,” Mr. Tenorio told reporters in an interview yesterday.

Fund optimistic: Legislature will bail out GHLIP[/B]

Northern Mariana Islands Retirement Fund board chair Vicente Camacho yesterday said he is still optimistic that the Legislature will be able to bail out the government’s Health Insurance program of its more than $3 million debt. Mr. Camacho said he will meet with the House Committee on Health and Welfare to reiterate the financial assistance that they need to settle the debt with Honolulu-based Straub Clinic & Hospital and Queens Medical Center. The two health providers have been seeking payment from the NMIRF which handles the health insurance since last year. However, cash-strapped GHLI has not been able to settle its debt.

As part of its priority program for this fiscal year, the Marianas Visitors Authority will ask the Legislature to include the development of tourist sites in the list of Capital Improvement Projects which the administration will undertake. MVA Board Chair Dave M. Sablan said he will ask the legislative leaders to provide the needed $8 million funding so that the tourism agency can begin planning for the improvement of tourist sites this year. “We need new tourist attractions to sell the islands and we cannot afford to sit back and wait for the visitors to come here,” said Mr. Sablan. Improvement of tourist sites cover the three islands of Saipan, Tinian and Rota.

NMI awarded $91K in food, shelter funds[/B]

The US government chose the Northern Marianas to receive $91,715 in federal funds to supplement the Commonwealth’s food and shelter programs. The selection was made by a National Board that is chaired by the Federal Emergency Management Administration and consists of representatives from The Salvation Army; American Red Cross; United Jewish Communities; Catholic Charities, USA; National Council of the Churches of Christ in the US; and the United Way of America, which will provide the administrative staff and function as fiscal agent. The Board was charged to distribute funds appropriated by Congress to help expand the capacity of food and shelter programs in high-need areas around the country.

The Marianas Rental Corporation is seeking a Supreme Court review of judgments executed by the Superior Court on a civil complaint initiated by Juan T. Lizama, a case that has spanned over a decade. MRC, doing business as National Rent-A-Car, is appealing decisions made by the lower court dating as far back as September 24, 1990 through then Presiding Judge Robert A. Heftier. His order dismissed complaints against Tokyo Marine and Fire Insurance Co. Ltd. and Pacifica Insurance Underwriters Inc.. The defense through counsel Douglas Cuisine is also seeking a review of a court order authored by Associate Judge Marry W. K. Taylor on October 11, 1994 as well as judgments executed by Associate Judge Pro Temper Joaquin V.E. Manibusan Jr. last year.