FLASHBACK

APRIL 20, 2005

200 workers repatriated

Two hundred displaced garment workers have been repatriated since middle of last month, according to the government. At the same time, the purchase of return tickets for 60 more individuals are waiting for approval at the Department of Finance.

APRIL 20, 2004

Ex-CUC lab manager charged

Federal prosecutors yesterday filed criminal charges against the former laboratory manager of the Commonwealth Utilities Corp., amid allegations that he tampered with drinking water sampling results to conceal the microbiological content in the corporation’s water supply. Pedro Q. Babauta, husband of incumbent CUC executive director Lorraine Babauta, is facing five criminal counts before the U.S. District Court. The charges lodged against the former laboratory manager include conspiracy to defraud the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and four counts of false documents.

APRIL 20, 2002

CDC: NMI, Guam SARS-free

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed that the CNMI and Guam remain free from the mysterious disease called Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. In an e-mail response to the Saipan Tribune, CDC media relations officer Jennifer Morcone said that the two Pacific islands have had no reported case of SARS. “At this time, no cases have been reported in the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands and Guam,” said Morcone.

Dynasty upbeat on return of airline

Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino officials are optimistic that direct flights provided by China Southern Air will be restored after a two-and-a-half-week suspension due to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, despite the temporary suspension of issuance of Authorization to Board to CNMI-bound passengers from areas affected by the flu-like disease.

APRIL 20, 2001

CDA readies legal action against CUC

Two major government agencies in the Northern Marianas are likely to face each other in court as the Commonwealth Development Authority prepares strong legal actions against the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation. Executive Director MaryLou S. Ada disclosed yesterday that all legal avenues are now being explored by CDA’s legal counsel Vicente Salas, after CUC stubbornly insisted that it is not obliged to pay anything to the government-controlled lending agency.

House balks suspension of stay limit law

The House of Representatives yesterday rejected the Senate version of the repealer on the three-year stay limit law, which only grants temporary suspension of its implementation. Instead, the lower house tossed the issue to the conference committee because of the need to come up with a more concrete measure that will revive diminishing investor confidence in the Northern Marianas.

APRIL 20, 2000

16 charged for promoting prostitution

The Attorney General’s Office yesterday charged 16 people arrested in a prostitution crackdown Tuesday evening by police and immigration agents with promoting prostitution in the second degree. Assistant Superior Court Judge Juan T. Lizama has set a $3,000 bail for each of the accused plus $500 for each additional count.

Hopwood teachers threaten to sue PSS

The CNMI Public School System could be in deep trouble that may bring about possible disruption of classes in the Commonwealth’s lone government-run junior high school after its teachers threatened to take their case against a top education official to the court. Hopwood Junior High School tutors and non-teaching staff, who recently signed a petition paper to oust Principal Lourdes Mendiola, have circulated a white paper denouncing alleged libelous statements issued by Education Commissioner Rita H. Inos against them.