Governor: It’s now a question of ‘if’, not ‘when’

With a delay in the passage of a repeal and re-enact casino bill, an extended temporary restraining order on a Saipan casino license decision, two other lawsuits and referendum petitions beyond the administration’s control, Gov. Eloy S. Inos said the release of retirees’ deferred 25 percent pension checks, among other things, is a matter of “if” not “when.” He said timelines are being pushed back.

Concerned citizen Leila Staffler points to a stack of papers containing the signatures of over 3,000 individuals wanting to place a casino question on the ballot to directly involve voters in deciding whether they want a casino on Saipan or not, during a Senate session on Capital Hill Friday afternoon. (Haidee V. Eugenio)

He also belied Marianas Stars’ accusation that pension checks to restore retirees’ deferred 25 percent benefits have already been cut prior to a casino license grant.

“We shouldn’t be playing games with this kind of stuff,” he said.

When pressed whether the claim of pre-cut deferred pension checks is true, Inos said, “It’s a lie.”

“I’m not too sure now if it’s really a question of ‘when’…it’s still going to be an ‘if.’ The reason for that is the bill that is supposed to repeal and reenact did not [get placed on calendar]. It has to go back to the committee. And so the committee would have to deliberate, bring it back to the floor and so until you went past that process. I still don’t know if it will ever happen, and so there’s just so many distractions and for many reasons,” he told reporters on Friday.

These distractions, he said, include those political in nature. He also acknowledged the wish of individuals who want to place the Saipan question on the ballot once again.

Voters twice rejected Saipan casino before.

Inos said it’s important that “we deliberate and debate these issues because a lot of people are looking for these types of assistance,” he said. He was referring to retirees waiting for their deferred 25-percent pension check restored, those waiting payment of interest on retirement contributions that were withdrawn last year and relief from high utility rates. Casino revenues were supposed to be the funding source for all these.

Leila Staffler, a concerned citizen, addressed senators on Friday afternoon, asking them to offer a floor amendment to the repeal and reenact bill once it comes to the Senate specifically “to allow for the referendum to take its course.”

Staffler said she’s speaking on behalf of more than 3,000 voters who wanted to have a direct voice on the casino issue in the November elections. She said these voters are concerned that the repeal and reenact bill is proposing “cosmetic changes” while at the same time has the potential to nullify the referendum petition.

“And by nullifying these signatures, it would appear that you’re trying to circumvent the referendum process and I hope that is not what’s going to happen,” Staffler told senators.

Surprised

The governor said he was surprised to know that Marianas Stars Entertainment Inc. was seeking a TRO on any casino decision. He said he only learned about it when the court already granted the TRO on Thursday. On Friday, that TRO was extended until further notice.

Inos said the Office of the Attorney General will be responding to Marianas Stars’ claims.

However, Inos said he is still not sure about the “motive” for seeking the TRO. He said Marianas Stars may have thought the Lottery Commission was already about to decide on Thursday whether to grant an exclusive license and to whom.

The Lottery Commission and its consultants are still reviewing the applications of both Marianas Stars and Best Sunshine International Ltd. Both are vying for a license to exclusively develop a minimum $2-billion integrated casino resort on Saipan.

He reiterated that the minimum $2-billion project is not just a casino, but also an integrated resort.
The governor added that he will be proceeding with a June 30 State of the Commonwealth Address. The Senate, however, has yet to adopt a House joint resolution on a joint legislative session to receive the governor’s SOCA.

Casino Commission

Meanwhile, Rep. Ray Tebuteb (Ind-Saipan) said last night that the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation’s ad-hoc committee is currently reviewing the governor’s three Saipan appointees to the Casino Commission, which will regulate the casino industry.

Among the latest developments, he said, is ensuring that all prior results of Senate confirmation hearings and decision on the same nominees should be attached to the ad-hoc committee’s report.

He cited Casino Commission appointee Alvaro Santos, whose previous re-appointment to the Marianas Public Land Trust board of trustees was rejected by the Senate.

Tebuteb also said another Casino Commission appointee, former senator Maria Frica Pangelinan, is also serving on the MPLT board.

“Under the law, an individual is not supposed to serve on two boards or commissions,” Tebuteb said.

The ad-hoc committee’s report, once finalized, will be presented to the whole Saipan delegation for action whether to confirm or reject the Casino Commission appointees.