A rocky start for the 15th House

The 15th House of Representatives got off to a rocky start yesterday, with the seven-member minority bloc questioning the majority’s choice of former Speaker and newly installed Gov. Benigno R. Fitial to preside over the inaugural session until his replacement was elected.

Shortly after each lawmaker was seated and before the session could even formally open, Rep. Stanley Torres raised his objection to Fitial’s role as speaker pro tempore. He said it was unconstitutional and a violation of the separation of powers among the three branches of government.

He also hit Fitial and Lt. Gov. Timothy Villagomez, who were sworn in at midnight of Jan. 9, 2006, for allegedly “abandon[ing] the administration so they can dictate how the House should be organized.”

Torres asked Fitial to step aside and let Rep. Oscar Babauta, the speaker chosen by the majority bloc, to preside over the proceedings.

Reps. Arnold Palacios and Manuel Tenorio both spoke in support of Torres’ position.

But House legal counsel Jose A. Bermudes maintained that there was nothing unconstitutional about the majority’s decision. “We have not organized the House. None of us knows who the speaker will be until he is voted [to the post],” the legal counsel said.

The minority’s objection was not entirely unexpected on the part of the new House leadership. In fact, members of the majority had prepared and signed as early as Friday a document to be presented in the event that the minority objects to Fitial acting as speaker pro tempore.

“The majority has spoken. It’s not a question of whether this House can organize itself. It’s the desire of the majority for the former speaker to be the pro tem. That’s the only answer I can give you,” Babauta said.

The minority was soon overruled and Fitial called the organizational session to order at about 10:30am.

Gus Kaipat led the singing of the U.S. and the CNMI anthems, followed by the invocation by Fr. Isaac M. Ayuyu.

CNMI Superior Court Presiding Judge Robert C. Naraja officiated the oath-taking, then the House members adopted the interim House rules.

As expected, Babauta was elected speaker with an 11-7 vote against Rep. Arnold Palacios of the Republican Party.

There were three nominees for the position of vice speaker: Democrat Rep. Justo Quitugua, who had the backing of the majority bloc; independent Rep. Ray Yumul; and GOP’s Rep. Benjamin Seman.

Yumul, who was nominated by Republican Rep. Ramon Tebuteb, declined the nomination. The contest between the two remaining nominees ended in favor of Quitugua, who got 11 votes.

Rep. Florencio Deleon Guerrero, the majority’s candidate for floor leader, also won against Republican Rep. Joseph Deleon Guerrero by three votes.

Babauta also announced the appointment of the following lawmakers to the House committees:

– Francisco Dela Cruz to the Public Utilities, Transportation and Communications Committee;

– Edwin Aldan to the Resources, Economic Development and Programs Committee;

– Crispin Ogo to the Ways and Means Committee;

– Jesus Lizama to the Health, Education, Welfare and Programs;

– Cinta Kaipat to the Judiciary, Government and Law; and

– Absalon Waki Jr. to the Federal Relations and Independent Agencies.