Flashback — July 1999-July 2001

CNMI hails congressional probe of Interior officials[/B]

Commonwealth leaders yesterday hailed efforts by the US. House Resources Committee to investigate alleged violations of the Hatch Act by some Department of the Interior officials over their conduct related to the Northern Marianas labor situation. Chairman Dan Young (R-Alaska) has summoned Interior Secretary Bruce Babbit, Office of the Insular Affairs acting director Ferdinand Aranza and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee for the probe in a subpoena issued early this month. To avoid being cited for contempt by the Congress, Aranza has turned over records contained in the OIA computer software and hardware to the committee.

What is the definition of “public purpose?” In an effort to clear ambiguity of the phrase, acting Gov. Jesus R. Sablan has signed into law a bill that will set the guidelines for government officials and elected leaders when they are invoking “public purpose.” Passed by the Legislature in the wake of a dispute between legislators and finance officials over use of public funds, the new law clarifies the constitutional provision of the term. Sablan said the definition is long overdue that the Legislature should have acted on earlier as stipulated under Amendment 28 of the Constitution.

New tax system increases collection efficiency[/B]

Faced with pressures to refill stressed public coffers, the Department of Finance is fast-tracking the installation of a new tax system eyed to improve the government’s revenue collection capabilities and reduce margin of errors in the processing of tax returns. According to Finance Secretary Lucy G. Nielsen, implementation of the new CNMI tax system is expected to be completed by next year since it is already over 75 percent complete. “We may be required to take another year to complete the automation project. We are excited about this new system, and we are of course looking at operating the hardware in another two years after the software is completely installed,” Ms. Nielsen said.

The Saipan Mayor’s Office yesterday received fresh funding to meet its mounting financial obligations as Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio approved two appropriation bills setting aside close to $250,000 for its operations and payment of debts. The money will come from revenues from bingo, batu and cockfight fees in the island municipality, including $171,700 from previous collection and $78,100 from new payments made by game operators. In signing the two bills, Tenorio cautioned the municipal government that reprogramming of the funds should be guided by provisions of the Planning and Budgeting Act.

Gov’t to decide on landfill bidding protest in 10 days[/B]

The court battle involving the Marpi landfill project is now over, tossing a bidding protest back to the Procurement and Supply Division that vowed to render a decision within the next 10 days. This developed as the clamor to close the Puerto Rico dumpsite remains strong from different sectors, including the judge who handled the case. The Puerto Rico dumpsite may just take over a year to fill to the maximum level, according to a study. The Superior Court yesterday dismissed the Motion for Preliminary Injunction filed by Western Equipment, Inc. and DRC Pacific Corp., affirming the agreement that the consortium entered into with Public Works Secretary Juan B. Cepeda and Procurement and Supply director Herman S. Sablan.

House Speaker Benigno R. Fitial yesterday lambasted the authors of a website which ridicules Saipan and insults the people of the CNMI with sweeping and malicious allegations. Fitial made his displeasure known even as government authorities are reportedly trying to pin down the source of the anti-Saipan smear drive. “This is clearly a demolition job, the handiwork of a sick mind.” “We have here an irresponsible, bitter, insensitive individual who definitely has an ax to grind against us, as people. It is clear he could not settle his grievances shoulder-to-shoulder, so he is getting back at us anonymously, through this post in the website,” said Fitial.