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House defeats Senate bid to extend alcohol purchase hours
A bill that would have extended the hours to purchase alcohol was ultimately defeated at the House of Representatives, after heated discussions that pitted lawmakers of the same party against one another.
Senate Bill 20-28 came up short on House supporters, defeated on a vote of 7-9.
SB 20-28, authored by Sen. Justo Quitugua (Ind-Saipan), had sought to extend the purchasing hours of alcohol from 10pm to 12 midnight.
Reps. Donald B. Barcinas (R-Saipan), Ivan A. Blanco (R-Saipan), Francisco S. Dela Cruz (R-Saipan), Joseph “Lee Pan” Guerrero (R-Saipan), Jose I. Itibus (R-Saipan), Gregorio M. Sablan Jr. (R-Saipan), and House Speaker Rafael S. Demapan (R-Saipan) voted in favor of the bill.
Reps. Francisco C. Aguon (R-Saipan), Lorenzo I. Deleon Guerrero (Ind-Saipan), Alice Igitol (R-Saipan), Glenn Maratita (R-Saipan), Edwin K. Propst (Ind-Saipan), Angel A. Demapan (R-Saipan), Edwin P. Aldan (R-Saipan), minority leader Rep. Edmund S. Villagomez (Ind-Saipan) and House vice speaker Janet U. Maratita (R-Saipan) voted against it.
Those who voted for the bill argued that businesses should be allowed to sell their products for the duration that they are open. According to Barcinas, the purchase of alcohol is a “personal choice,” that he would rather “educate people” on the consequences of alcohol than restrict purchasing times.
Blanco and Sablan both said that if bars and clubs could sell liquor until 4am, there would be very little impact if stores would start selling beyond 10pm as well. Guerrero, who chairs the Commerce and Tourism Committee, argued that the intent of the bill is to cater to tourists and visitors that arrive in the CNMI at “odd hours.”
“The bill is more for tourists to purchase alcohol at certain times in the morning,” he said in support of the bill.
Propst pointed out that the casino, which is open around the clock, has a bar that sells alcohol 24 hours.
“We are looking at the safety of our people,” said Propst.
“If [the bill] is to cater to tourists, we have clubs [that are open] ‘til 4am. Go there,” said Aldan, adding that the bill is “not good for [their] constituents.”
