FLASHBACK October 31, 2000- 2002

OPA recommendations ignored[/B]

The Office of the Public Auditor is closely working with the commission created by Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio to ensure swift actions are taken by agencies on recommendations issued by the autonomous government accounting agency. This, as the OPA disclosed that about 82 percent of all recommendations issued as of end-June 1999 are considered delinquents because of the respective government agencies’ failure to put in place immediate solutions. A report released Monday revealed that OPA has issued 34 recommendations in the first half of the calendar year, which add up to the existing 194 suggestions still to be acted upon by offices that were audited.
[B] Second Jollibee store opens in January[/B]

Saipan is in for an exciting hamburger war when popular Filipino fast food restaurant, Jollibee, opens it second store on the island during the latter part of January 2000, in what appears to be a move that levels the playing field with American giant McDonald’s. Construction of the second Jollibee restaurant on Saipan, located adjacent to the Mt. Carmel Cathedral in Chalan Kanoa, has been ongoing since July this year and is expected to be completed in time for the scheduled grand opening early next year.

Security tight on election day[/B]

The Department of Public Safety will impose tight security measures at each of the 11 designated polling places on Saturday to ensure a peaceful and uninterrupted 2001 general elections. Police Major Clyde Norita yesterday unveiled the Public Safety Response Plan that carries new provisions in defense against the worst possible scenario, amid the spate of terrorist threats. “The new provisions are in light of the possible bomb threats, possible attempts of chemical or biological threat that would somehow disrupt the voting process,” Norita told reporters during a press conference. The response plan, which was submitted to the Board of Elections and distributed to political parties for review, strictly prohibits party supporters to stand by the fence-line or gate of the polling places.

If legislative performance is based on the number of bills introduced, Rep. Jesus T. Attao would be at the top of the House of Representatives heap, with 50 bills authored since the start of the 12th CNMI Legislature. However, if the performance index is based on the number of bills introduced that actually made it into laws, Reps. Malua T. Peter and Oscar M. Babauta would both share the spotlight, with seven bills apiece that were signed by Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio into law. In both instances, though, Rep. Stanley T. Torres comes out as the cellar dweller, with the least number of bills introduced—three—of which none made it into law.
[B] OCTOBER 31, 2002

NMI to join forces with Guam, Hawaii to seek Compact-Impact reimbursement font[/B]

The U.S. and Foreign Affairs Committee is pressing to collect millions of dollars of Compact-Impact reimbursement owed to the Commonwealth by forging a partnership with other impacted entities, Guam and Hawaii. Panel chairman Rep. William S. Torres reported to the House of Representatives yesterday that his committee has been meeting with Guam and Hawaii delegates to set out a unified and defensible plan that would earn the support of the U.S. Congress. “We have been submitting reports year after year to the Department of the Interior with the estimated amount of expenditures on behalf of the Compact- Impact. Unfortunately, the CNMI and Hawaii have not been getting its share as much as what Guam has received.

The Northern Marianas Insurance Association has submitted to the Office of Insurance Commission a new tariff and underwriting manual with tailored classifications that would provide uniformity in the workers’ compensation tariff. The new manual will prevent insurance firms from cheating on workers’ tariff and compensation rates. If found in violation of the new schedule, insurance firms will be slapped with unfair practice charges or face a possible closure. The new tariff would standardize the premium rates, local insurance officials said.