Flashback November 7, 2000-2002

[B]November 7, 2000[/B] [B]Teno calls for unity[/B]

Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio yesterday called for unity in the Republican Party following Saturday’s open primary that saw the defeat of Lt. Gov. Jesus R. Sablan in seeking the nomination as its official gubernatorial candidate in next year’s election.

“I am happy that the primary is [over] and people went out and voted for their choice,” the Republican governor told reporters in an interview.

“People have spoken, so it’s about time that we work together and see what will happen in the coming year,” he added.

The local chief executive offered his congratulations to Washington Rep. Juan N. Babauta and running-mate Rep. Diego T. Benavente who won by a landslide over Mr. Sablan and Senate Vice President Thomas P. Villagomez.

[B]NMI, RP to sign labor pact in Manila[/B]

A five-man delegation from the Northern Marianas is flying to Manila in two weeks to finalize the amendment to the existing labor agreement between the Commonwealth and the Philippine governments.

CNMI officials are scheduled to meet with their Philippine counterparts on Nov. 20 and 21 in Manila for the formal signing of the amendments to the Bilateral Labor Agreement which officially closes the Commonwealth Liaison Office in Makati City.

Labor and Immigration Secretary Mark Zachares will lead the CNMI delegation that will also include the labor director, an assistant attorney general and a representative from the office of Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio.

Philippines Labor Attaché lawyer Araceli Maraya said changes to the existing bilateral agreement was made to provide better protection to an estimated 20,000 Filipino workers in the Northern Marianas, as well as prevent the entry of illegal workers.

[B]November 7, 2001[/B] [B]AAG’s vehicle vandalized[/B]

A 1997 Jeep Cherokee owned by Asst. Attorney General Elaine Paplos was vandalized while parked at the Airport Road Sunday.

While out for an afternoon jog, the government prosecutor reportedly misplaced her car keys.

According to a police report, Paplos asked a friend for a lift home to get the spare keys and came back later that night to find that the rear window of her white jeep had been smashed.

The lawyer immediately summoned for police assistance and filed a criminal mischief complaint.

[B]November 7, 2002[/B] [B]NMI to ink deal with RP hospital[/B]

Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente and local health officials are set to leave for the Philippines next week to secure a medical referral agreement with a hospital for CNMI patients.

This, even as the government struggles for funds to settle its outstanding debt with the Hawaii Pacific Medical Referral, the third party administrator of the Retirement Fund’s Group Health and Life Insurance.

Benavente, in an interview yesterday, said he will lead a team from the Department of Public Health to meet with the officials and doctors of newly opened Asian Hospital and Medical Center, located in Alabang, Metro Manila.

Benavente said he thinks that the CNMI needs to have an alternative place to send its patients to, besides Guam and Hawaii.

[B]Court modifies sentencing on former CRM director[/B]

Former Coastal Resources Management Office director Felipe Q. Atalig-the first senior official dismissed from office due to sexual harassment charges-may sit on any government board or hold public employment after his 75-day house arrest expires in January 2003.

Associate Judge Juan T. Lizama disclosed this in his final sentencing order on Atalig, who was found guilty of two counts each of assault and battery and misconduct in public office, and one count of disturbing the peace in June 2000.

Lizama modified the sentence on Atalig, who had requested the court for a reduction of sentence.