Flashback April 25, 2000-2002

[B]April 25, 2000

Kiyu sees poll victory in team-up with Pepero[/B]

Senate Vice President Thomas P. Villagomez expressed confidence yesterday over winning the Republican primary, saying his team-up with Lt. Gov. Jesus R. Sablan assures victory for GOP in next year’s elections. “We’re going to work for it. I feel that with my record, along with Pepero’s record, we’re going to make a better team,” he told in an interview, his first since Mr. Sablan announced his running mate two weeks ago.

[B]House poised to ax changes to 2000 budget[/B]

The House of Representatives is set to hold a special session today to reject amendment made by the Senate to the FY 2000 budget proposal, a move that is expected to bring the issue to bicameral table in an effort to reach a compromise between the two chambers. The session, scheduled at 11:00 a.m., is the first since the lower house adjourned its first regular session in late March and follows passage of the budget bill by senators last April 6.

[B]CDA backs House efforts on private home financing[/B]

The Commonwealth Development Authority is backing a CNMI House of Representatives initiative that urges the federal government to provide indigenous Northern Marianas residents easy access to private home financing. CDA Board Chair John S. Tenorio said the House Resolution filed by Rep. William Torres would strengthen the agency’s efforts to encourage private financing institutions to offer guaranteed home mortgage packages to local CNMI residents.

[B]April 25, 2001

Juvenile offenders increasing[/B]

The Division of Youth Services yesterday reported an alarming increase in the number of juvenile delinquents in the Northern Marianas, with Hopwood Junior High School students topping the list of young offenders. At least 50 percent or about 54 of the 101 offenses committed by CNMI youths for the month of March alone were reported among Hopwood students; 37 of which were truancy while 17 were for alleged possession of controlled substance.

[B]Taiwanese investors show interest in NM[/B]I

A group of Taiwanese investors has signified intentions to infuse fresh capital into the Northern Marianas by venturing into computer software and furniture production, a development enticed by recently-enacted investment incentives law. Free Trade Zone Authority Chair Karl Reyes met with Taipei Economic and Cultural Office Director-General Leo Chen-Jan Lee last week where possible business ventures by Taiwanese investors into the CNMI were discussed.

[B]Board seats reserved for young lawmakers[/B]

Youth Congress senators have just landed seats within government-appointed thinking blocks with a freshly-passed legislation that allows for members of the youth group to participate in official government proceedings. Governor Pedro P. Tenorio has inked his approval to a legislation that would accord members of the youth sector the privilege to sit down with government-commissioned organizations as they go about important decision-making activities.

[B]April 25, 2002

DOLI: No fee to get ATB[/B]

Applications for Authorization to Board letters are not for a fee. Labor and Immigration Secretary Joaquin A. Tenorio said this, confirming that he received a complaint alleging that there were fixers charging a fee in exchange for facilitating ATB applications. As this developed, Philippine Consul General Julia Heidemann echoed the reminder that ATBs are not for a fee, saying that based on the complaint she learned from a meeting with Tenorio, the fixers have been charging as much as $120.

[B]First 100 days: A humbling experience[/B]

The Babauta administration marked its first 100 days in office last Tuesday, with Gov. Juan N. Babauta saying that, beyond the specific problems and issues facing his administration, what he considers the biggest challenge for his government is changing the attitude of the community. “To work together, to pull our resources together and to lessen the acrimonious relationship that have gone through between the administration and the Legislature in the past, which are things that slow us down,” Babauta said.