Flashback – April 2000-April 2002

Apr. 11, 2000

Bill seeks to eliminate two positions in AGO

A Senate proposal to eliminate two positions at the Attorney General’s Office will provide two additional lawyers to the Public Defender’s Office that are necessary to handle increasing caseloads there, according to its proponent. Senate Floor Leader Pete P. Reyes said the imbalance on the number of lawyers between the AGO and PDO must be corrected following complaints that the latter is short of staff to deal with growing number of people seeking free legal services. At present, the AGO employs over 30 lawyers to take care of both civil and criminal cases filed by the government, while PDO has five to defend people in courts who cannot afford private legal representation.

Lawyer says PL 11-105 unconstitutional

A law allowing the CNMI judiciary to take the interests on the trust entrusted to the court and deposited in the bank is unconstitutional as it violates federally-guaranteed rights, according to a lawyer suing the CNMI government to repeal the measure. James E. Hollman, in his capacity as guardian to Vo Minh Tan, one of the beneficiaries of the Hillblom Estate, has asked the U.S. District Court to declare Public Law 11-105 unconstitutional as he cited cases in the mainland supporting such a claim. In court papers submitted by his attorney, Bruce L. Jorgensen, the plaintiff criticized an earlier order issued by CNMI Superior Court Judge Pro-Tem Alex Castro that asked him to defend claim on the interests accrued from the Hillblom account.

Apr. 11, 2001

Resumption of 902 talks proposed

Senate leaders yesterday saw the need to resume discussions between the Commonwealth and Untied States governments under the Section 902 of the Covenant, as part of efforts to improve relationship with the Bush Administration. Senate President Paul A. Manglona said the Tenorio Administration should take aggressive steps to pursue the resumption of Section 902 talks with the federal government. A four-day discussion within the parameters of Section 902 in January 1999 ended with renewed animosity due to opposing stands on federalization of local labor and immigration systems.

Gaming body wants hand in floating casino talks

The Tinian Casino Gaming Control Commission has clamored for its involvement in the negotiations between government officials and Florida-based investors on the proposed establishment of a floating casino business in the CNMI. Acting TCGCC Chair William M. Cing said the commission should have been invited in the discussion between Commonwealth officials and representatives of SunCruz Casinos, the company that proposed to bring into the CNMI the floating gaming facility. “Since we are the only regulatory body in the Marianas for casino operations, it would make sense to invite us to participate in the discussions with SunCruz,” said Mr. Cing in a media statement.

Apr. 11, 2002

DPT vaccine shortage drags down immunization rate

The immunization rate for kids three years old and below dropped from over 90-percent to a record-low of 57 percent due to a vaccine shortage experienced by the Department of Public Health. Specifically, there was a shortage in diptheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccines, brought about by the lack of supply at the national level. “The younger kids have low immunization rate, because this is a new phenomenon,” said Public Health Secretary Dr. James U. Hofschneider.

Bills firming up CUC-CDA accord get House’s nod

The House of Representatives yesterday signaled its determination to finally resolve the estimated $102-million debt burden of the Commonwealth Utilities Corp., when it passed the two bills that fulfill the legislative requirement authorizing the settlement agreement between the Commonwealth Development Authority and the utility firm. On a unanimous vote of 18-0, the lower chamber tossed House Bills 13-106 and 13-107 to the Senate for passage and transmission to the Office of the Governor. Once Gov. Juan N. Babauta signs the two measures into law, the settlement agreement between the two autonomous agencies becomes effective, binding both parties to the terms and conditions of their accord.