FLASHBACK – Jan. 13, 2012

CPA, governor discuss impact of port fees hike[/B]

Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio yesterday told the ports authority to carefully weigh proposals seeking to increase landing fees as a way of raising funds to meet its multi-million bond obligation in fear the move would further reduce flights to CNMI. Officials of the Commonwealth Ports Authority yesterday met with the governor to brief him on the worsening financial situation confronting the agency, and apparently to lobby support for the plan to hike landing fees this year and seaport rates and charges in year 2000 amid opposition from the tourism office. The Marianas Visitors Authority had openly opposed the planned increase on the grounds that the proposal would further thin tourist arrivals, which have been dropping at double-digit levels since last year.

While both the Northern Marianas and Guam are seeking for a bigger market share in Japan, the Marianas Visitors Authority is exploring ways on how it can work closely with Guam Visitors Bureau in promoting the Micronesian region. GVB has raised the possibility of working with MVA in holding a regional promotion of Micronesia during the World Travel Fair in Tokyo in November. MVA board chair Dave M. Sablan noted the need for the agency to make a decision on which areas both agencies can work together as GVB has shown keen interest in cooperating with CNMI tourism officials.

Federal Court orders release of 2 ‘asylum seekers'[/B]

Two Chinese nationals under detention by CNMI authorities have sought a temporary restraining order from the federal court to free them from jail following alleged violations of an earlier court order by local officials in connection with their asylum petitions. Rui Liang and Liao Da Nian won minor relief after District Court Judge Alex R. Munson agreed to hear their emergency motion for TRO and to summon Labor and Immigration Sec. Mark Zachares and DOLI legal counsel Robert Goldberg to show cause for possible contempt of court. The hearing date is set on Jan. 21 and the defendants, who include the CNMI and U.S. governments, have until Jan. 18 to file their respond to the plaintiffs’ motion, according to Judge Munson’s ruling.

Presiding Judge Edward Manibusan yesterday ruled that the CNMI government has violated the non-prosecution agreement it entered into with Russian national Oxana A. Galkina when it filed a criminal case against her for allegedly working in the CNMI without legal papers. In dismissing the case against her with prejudice, Judge Manibusan said Galkina expected to leave the CNMI and come back without restrictions. Her failure to leave is not a breach of the non-prosecution agreement. In fact, her testimony was instrumental in the conviction of two labor violators. “The government has an obligation to ensure fairness throughout the criminal process. There is more at stake than just the liberty of the defendant. At stake is the honor of the government and the public confidence in the fair and efficient administration of justice,” Manibusan said.

HSBC sues to collect $300K debt[/B]

The Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corp. has sued a company and its owners to collect on a debt amounting close to $300,000. The bank also sought the foreclosure of two leasehold mortgages executed by Aby K.O. Leung and Alice Yuk Mui Cheung, owners of the Aby & Alice International Inc., to secure their loan. HSBC lawyer Robert Goldberg asked the court that an order be issued authorizing the Department of Public Safety commissioner or a private auctioneer to sell the properties in a public bidding.

A new Sign Language Interpreting Certificate Program is now being offered at the Northern Marianas College, consisting of seven courses, that are designed to train interpreters for the young deaf and hard-of-hearing children in the CNMI. According to a statement by the college, the sign language courses are 4 credits each and require a great deal of work, but are also a lot of fun. The courses offered through the Department of Languages, Literature and Communications, include Beginning Sign Language I, Beginning Sign Language II, Intermediate Sign Language I, Introduction to Exceptional Individuals, Educational Practices in Special Education, Introduction to Interpreting, and Educational Interpreting.