Flashback October 22, 1999-2003

Aranza: No more political campaign[/B]

Office of Insular Affairs Director Danny Aranza yesterday ended a two-day visit to the CNMI, acknowledging the “uphill battle” facing his efforts to restore ties with island leaders amid the ongoing congressional probe into the conduct of some of its officials. He said, however, he would welcome sanctions from Congress or any investigating panel against any OIA officials found guilty of alleged on-the-job political campaign that used CNMI issues as weapon against the island’s Republican supporters in Washington.

Public Safety Commissioner Charles W. Ingram yesterday dismissed charges of incompetence leveled by inmates against officials of the Division of Corrections, saying they were qualified to run the prison. Two petitions have been circulated seeking the ouster or transfer of DOC Director Greg T. Castro, Assistant Chief Juan Ayuyu and Capt. Johannes Ngiraibuuch whom the prisoners said were unfit for the job.

Deadline for absentee voters extended[/B]

With 15 days left before the general election, the House of Representatives acted swiftly in passing a bill that would extend the period for receiving absentee votes from seven days to 14 days. House Bill 12-421 now goes to the upper chamber, where Senate President Paul A. Manglona also promised swift action on the measure so it would be passed into law before the November 3 elections. Earlier reports had it that Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio has already expressed willingness to sign the measure into law.

A CNMI Superior Court has awarded $1.9 million in damages to Associate Judge Juan T. Lizama, after ruling in his favor in connection with a vehicular accident he figured in sometime in 1988. Guam magistrate Joaquin V.E. Manibusan Jr. made the judgment Friday, while sitting as pro-tempore judge for the Superior Court.

NMI eyes ‘non-risk’ list[/B]

Gov. Juan N. Babauta has ordered the Department of Labor and Immigration to come up with a CNMI list of approved countries, following the controversial entry to Saipan of 39 nonresident workers from Egypt. The Governor, in an interview yesterday, said that having “our own approved list” would solve some confusion regarding the acceptance of foreign nationals.

The backgrounds of local businesses should be checked to verify unpaid taxes before the Tax and Revenue division issues a permit to operate to prevent unscrupulous traders from evading tax liabilities. Customs division director Joe Mafnas said there is a need for a law that would allow the customs division to do a background check to effectively crack down on tax evaders. The investigation would not only minimize the backlog on tax collectibles but would also help the CNMI government collect unpaid liabilities from these businesses.

Jury acquits Demapan[/B]

Former Senate president Juan S. Demapan, second left, and his attorney, former CNMI Supreme Court Associate Justice Pedro Atalig, extreme right, share smiles with supporters outside the U.S. District Court after a jury acquitted him and businessman Michael Kerschner on wire fraud charges. A federal jury composed mostly of local residents acquitted former Senate president Juan S. Demapan and businessman Michael Kerschner on multiple wire fraud charges. The jury handed down the verdict yesterday afternoon after about two weeks of deliberations. Demapan and Kerschner underwent a full-blown trial on a count of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and five wire fraud counts, among other charges.

The Attorney General’s Office vowed to aggressively pursue electoral fraud cases, starting the campaign by filing criminal charges against a relative of newly elected senator Joseph Mendiola. CNMI chief prosecutor David Hutton slapped unlawful registration and perjury charges against Tinian resident Francisco B. Mendiola.