Flashback — June 1999-June 2001

Hosting illegal migrants costs CNMI $500,000[/B]

The CNMI government spent an estimated half-a-million dollars from April to May for providing security and temporary shelter to hundreds of undocumented Chinese nationals held on Tinian. According to figures prepared by the Department of Finance, as of end-May government expenditures for this operation reached $501,000, bulk of which was spent for personnel costs. Estimates indicate that salaries and overtime payment for employees of the Customs Division, Departments of Public Safety and Labor and Immigration, Commonwealth Health Center and the Emergency Management Office totaled $392,000. The number of government employees deployed to the island municipality varied, but at one time peaked at 70.

Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio yesterday underscored the need to attract more local people to join the nursing profession with the increasing health care needs of the community. Tenorio asked delegates to the nursing conference to provide suggestions on how the Northern Marianas can achieve such goal amid the economic difficulties brought about by Asia’s economic crisis. When he addressed the association 10 years ago, it was already clear that there would be a worldwide shortage of nurses before the year 2000. Since then, working conditions and salaries of nurses have improved and many young people have entered the profession.

CDA faces slowdown in collection[/B]

The Commonwealth Development Authority is currently faced with a dramatic slowdown in average monthly collection of loan payments mainly because of the problems raised by the high vacancy rate in apartment and commercial spaces, according to Executive Director Marylou S. Ada. In an interview yesterday, Ms. Ada pointed out majority of CDA clients that ventured into the construction of residential and commercial structures have not been able to meet their regular monthly loan payments. However, she promptly added that the loans released to real estate or property developers still do not fall under the non-performing category since the clients continue to issue monthly payments but at an amount lower than what was stipulated in the credit agreement.

The CNMI Department of Commerce has expressed opposition to plans by the Legislature to transfer the regulation of alcohol and tobacco licensing to the public safety department, amid possible negative impression it may create on the island’s business atmosphere. Acting Commerce Secretary David S. Palacios said the current regulatory and licensing system in place is working well within the commerce department, which also administers Civil Enforcement Mechanism in accordance to the Licensing Suspension and Revocation Functions of the Administrative Procedure Act. Mr. Palacios made the statement on the heels of legislative proposals to establish a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms under the Department of Public Safety, which virtually abolishes the same body at the commerce department.
[B] June 15, 2001

Federal court: CNMI a US territory[/B]

The US District Court yesterday denied a motion that sought to dismiss charges against suspected illegal gambling operator Qian Wu on grounds that the CNMI is not a territory of the United States. District Judge Alex R. Munson referred to the Covenant as basis for the ruling that junked the argument of the defense panel. In a decision, Munson upheld Asst. US Attorney David Wood’s contention that asserted the US’ jurisdiction to enforce a federal illegal gambling statute which Wu had allegedly violated. The defense previously filed a motion to dismiss the charges on ground that defendant Wu’s alleged crime was conducted outside the gambling statute’s definition of the term “State.”

Rep. Stanley Torres yesterday questioned plans of the Department of Public Works to award the contract for the construction of the Marpi Solid Waste Facility, which is intended to replace the Puerto Rico dumpsite. At the same time, the congressman assailed DPW Solid Waste Division Manager John Harder for his alleged failure to immediately carry out the Puerto Rico dump closure. This developed as the groundbreaking for the Lower Base Refuse Transfer station kicks off today. “While I applaud the start of all construction projections, as far I can determine there is yet to even be a contract award for the Marpi Solid Waste Landfill. Isn’t that a little like putting the cart before the donkey,” raised Torres in a press statement.