Heinz is new House speaker

After waiting in the wings for the past two years, Rep. Heinz S. Hofschneider finally won support of the Republicans to become the Speaker of the House of Representatives when the 12th Legislature convenes in January.

In a caucus attended yesterday by 10 GOP members of the lower house and other party leaders, Hofschneider won unopposed after his closest rival to the post, former House Speaker Benigno R. Fitial, did not attend the two-hour meeting.

Current Speaker Diego T. Benavente, who stepped down after six years, was voted as vice speaker, replacing Rep. Jesus T. Attao who will become the majority floor leader. Both lawmakers were unopposed.

Mr. Hofschneider said the agreement reached during the caucus at the Plumeria Resort was “pretty much decided” way before hand. “[The members] stuck with their support and have made that official commitment,” he told reporters after the closed-door meeting.

In the agreement, they cited Mr. Hofschneider’s “innate ability to work with others in resolving issues; his management style of involving everyone in the decision-making process; strong leadership quality and experience; and his passion for doing what is right for the people” as factors for his selection.

Addressed to Republican Party chairman Francisco DLG Camacho, the letter was dated Nov. 16 and had the signatures of Reps. David M. Apatang, Martin B. Ada, Benavente, Attao, William S. Torres, Hofschneider, Stanley T. Torres, Thomas B. Pangelinan, Alejo M. Mendiola and Norman S. Palacios.

Rep. Oscar M. Babauta was not present during the caucus as he was reportedly attending to a sick relative in the hospital.

Smooth

“The caucus went smoothly except for the absence of [Mr. Babauta and Mr. Fitial],” said Mr. Hofschneider, adding Mr. Fitial “relayed the message that he objected to the venue” at Plumeria. “That’s his personal feeling and I respect him for that.”

Mr. Hofschneider expressed elation for being chosen, saying it’s “tremendous privilege and honor” to be given the mandate to lead the House for the next two years.

He vowed to work with all the members of the 18-seat chamber — five of whom are Democrats and one independent — in addressing the needs of the community and upholding the interest of the people.

“There won’t be any division, partisanship or any other political motives. That will be done away with,” the legislator said.

Elected into office eight years ago, Mr. Hofschneider left the party and sought reelection as House representative for Precinct 3 as an independent in the 1993 and 1995 polls. In 1997, he rejoined GOP.

While Hofschneider was aiming to become the speaker at that time, Mr. Benavente won fresh mandate from his partymates after he promised to step down at the end of his two-year term.

Among those chosen to head House committees are the following:

• Mr. Pangelinan, Health, Education and Welfare

• Mr. William S. Torres, Ways and Means

• Mr. Palacios, Federal and Foreign Relations

• Mr. Ada, Natural Resources

• Mr. Apatang, Public Utilities, Transportation and Communications.

The caucus agreed to leave open the chairmanship of three committees — Labor and Immigration, Commerce and Tourism as well as Judiciary and Governmental Operations — for Mr. Fitial, Mr. Babauta and Mr. Stanley T. Torres to choose from.

Mr. Torres, who is returning to the House after his Senate bid in 1997 failed, has expressed interest to head the JGO.

Urging the Legislature to work together, Mr. Hofschneider said: “There is no time to be fighting, bickering and petty politics. I am opening my heart and arms to them to work with us for the betterment of the Commonwealth.”

Tax relief

The new Speaker, meanwhile, laid down a business agenda for the House during his leadership as he put economic revitalization on top of his priorities.

Among them include tax relief for businesses like the airline industry and tourism-related establishments, the qualifying tax certificate program that is tied with employment of resident workers, and reduction of fees and charges imposed on the private sector.

“Primarily we will look at what is really the cost of doing business in the Commonwealth,” Mr. Hofschneider explained. “I have seen so many imposition of fees on top of each other.”

Contrasting Guam’s economic success, he said it’s time to look at CNMI’s business regulations and tax laws to make them more attractive to foreign investors.

“We are doing quite good in terms of attracting tourists back to the Commonwealth, but it is the businesses catering to tourists that are suffering because of some internal business burdens that have been imposed over the years,” added Mr. Hofschneider.