Teno vetoes amendment to Youth Congress law

Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio nixed two bills yesterday — one that sought amendment to the law creating Youth Congress and the other granting authority to the municipal council on each island to enact local ordinances and appropriation.

In vetoing HB 12-209 or the “Youth Congress Revision Act,” he raised concerns that were expressed by incumbent members of Youth Congress as well as conflicting provisions which he said need to be addressed first.

“We are all supportive of youth activities, including the Youth Congress,” the chief executive said in his veto message to the presiding officers of the Legislature.

“[I]n order that we may be able to accommodate other youth activities with the meager revenues that we have, I hope the Legislature will consider cost-effective means in accommodating the training of our future leaders,” he added.

One of the questionable provisions of the measure involved resolution of disputes from election. Under one section, it rests with the House Committee on Judiciary and Governmental Operations, while the other empowers an “ad hoc committee” to deal with the issue.

According to Mr. Tenorio, the current procedure of resolving disputes through the JGO chair seem to be working and is acceptable and efficient.

Likewise, he raised issue with the retroactive clause in the implementation of the bill, particularly on proposal to extend the term of office to two years as well as to restrict the age requirement between 13 to 18 years old.

These new requirements would affect most of the incumbent youth senators who ran in last September election based on the current age limit and a one-year term.

“The retroactive clause will be quite costly in that those current members who will turn 20 prior to the expiration of their term will no longer be qualified,” Mr. Tenorio explained, adding new election will have to be called to replace the ineligible members.

The Youth Congress was established in 1993, but the election of its 28 members began only in 1998. It is designed to provide a venue for the youths to voice out their concerns and discuss issues which are important to them.

Under the law, youth between the ages of 14 to 21 are eligible to seek office for a one-year term. It is directly under the supervision of the Legislative Bureau.

The Senate last week voted against recalling HB 12-209 from the Governor’s Office in a bid to prevent the expected disapproval due to absence of official request from Mr. Tenorio.

Meanwhile, HB 12-141, otherwise known as the “Local Law and Municipal Ordinance Act,” was thumbed down by the governor due to serious constitutional questions.

He said the CNMI Constitution empowers only he Legislature and the respective legislative delegation in each island municipality to enact local laws, including appropriation.

To allow the municipal council to pass local ordinances and appropriation and divest such authority from the local delegation, the Constitution must be amended, added the governor.