Torres: CNMI never had a better relationship with DoD than today

Gov. Ralph DLG Torres acknowledged that the CNMI has never had a better relationship with the U.S. Department of Defense than what the Commonwealth has today. That, however, does not mean the CNMI is giving up everything to DoD, he said, nor does it say that the government is not going to sit down and listen.

This was Torres’ response when asked by the House Committee on Federal & Foreign Affairs about the status of the administration’s proposed substitute version of House Joint Resolution 21-008, pertaining to the administration’s stance on expanded military activities in the CNMI.

Torres said his administration’s proposed substitute basically states where the CNMI came from and what’s the Commonwealth’s situation today and going forward in creating a working partnership with the DoD family. “I want to emphasize that the resolution that they have is basically the amendments that we gave [and] is a through synopsis of what has transpired since I got on board and even when I was the Senate president,” the governor said.

Torres said the document is not simply a resolution, but has thorough, accurate information not just for DoD but also for the CNMI community to understand what he has done to protect the environment, culture, Pagan, and Tinian.

He said the partnership with DoD is an opportunity for the Commonwealth. “We appreciate that relationship,” the governor added.

House Committee on Federal & Foreign Affairs chair Rep. Luis John Castro (Ind-Saipan) said in an interview Friday they discussed the substitute version of the resolution that, together with the Commonwealth Bureau of Military Affairs.

Castro said they then decided that, since only three of them were present, including himself, it would be better to get a consensus from all committee members before deciding whether to accept the substitute version.

Castro said the main author of the resolution, Rep. Sheila Babauta (D-Saipan), was not at the meeting due to scheduling conflicts. “Out of respect for her and respect for other members, we deferred [the matter to] a later time when everyone’s schedules clear up,” he said.

Castro said they will be a calling a meeting soon.

Torres recently inquired about the status of the resolution as it has been weeks since their meeting and that it is his understanding that Castro has not convened a meeting with his committee members to adopt the substitute version that he submitted.

After receiving the governor’s letter, Castro immediately called a meeting and invited Torres or his representative to join.

The lawmaker acknowledged that, with both the issues surrounding the passage of the budget bill for fiscal year 2021 and each of them attending to matters both office-related and personal, the committee has not been able to convene.

The original version of House Joint Resolution 21-08 requests Torres to oppose any increase in military presence or training in the Northern Mariana Islands, including all proposed military use of the Northern Islands.”