Flashback — May 2000-May 2002

Teno vetoes 2 local bills[/B]

Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio has vetoed two local bills — one that would have granted unlimited reprogramming authority to the Tinian mayor over funds generated from casino revenues, and the other would have appropriated close to a million dollars from Managaha landing fees. The Tinian measure, passed by the local legislative delegation early last month, had sought to provide flexibility to Mayor Francisco M. Borja to use the money set aside for specific purposes under the Tinian Casino Gaming Control Act for other needs of the island municipality during the current fiscal year. But the governor, in rejecting the proposal, said this would be a violation of the law and it would have waived provisions of Planning and Budgeting Act.

The Commonwealth Ports Authority is poised at seeking federal money to carry out the needed repair of the badly damaged Tinian breakwater, a project that could cost the CNMI government over $25 million. CPA Board Chair Roman S. Palacios said there is an urgent need to rehabilitate the existing breakwater on Tinian, pointing out the possibility of its collapse that may be caused by even a medium intensity typhoon. According to Mr. Palacios, the anticipated collapse of the breakwater has the potential to seriously plunder Tinian’s struggling economy due to its current heavy reliance on its harbor for trade and tourism.
[B] May 2, 2001

SC grants Hillblom executor’s appeal[/B]

The Supreme Court tossed out a July 6, 2000 Superior Court decision to relieve a Chicago-based risk retention group from liability in a legal malpractice action that a Larry L. Hillblom estate executor lodged against its former counsel. The highest appellate tribunal upheld a petition submitted by Hillblom estate executor Bank of Saipan for writ of mandamus, ordering the lower court not to dismiss Attorney’s Liability Assurance Society Inc. as a defendant in the pending malpractice suit against lawyer Carlsmith Ball. ALAS is Mr. Ball’s professional liability insurer with offices in Chicago, Illinois.

Nearly 80 participants from over a dozen nations worldwide and islands in the Pacific gathered on Saipan this past week for the 10th Annual CTSI Logistics Management Conference. Held at the Aqua Resort Club on Saipan, the theme of the event is “Business Leadership through Technology and Strategic Alliances.” Ten years ago, the island of Saipan was the site of a new entrepreneurial venture. The need for freight forwarding services in the Micronesian region was growing at a rapid pace along with the developing economy. Recognizing potential in the freight forwarding trade, Saipan-based Tan Holdings Corporation opened Consolidated Transportation Services, Inc. (CTSI).
[B] May 2, 2002

DOLI chief bares plans[/B]

Labor and Immigration Secretary Joaquin Tenorio yesterday vowed to address labor concerns, in light of complaints filed by CNMI workers. Tenorio, who was the guest speaker at the Saipan Chamber of Commerce General Membership meeting yesterday at the Dai-Ichi Hotel said, there is disparity between local residents and nonresident workers considering the total number of foreigners employed in the CNMI. Based on records, Tenorio said there are 35,300 workers in the CNMI; 16, 000 of whom are Chinese and 13,000 are Filipinos.

Putting his money where his mouth is, Senate Vice President David M. Cing has asked Senate President Paul A. Manglona to schedule a special session where he could debate with Senate Minority Leader Pete P. Reyes on the issue of Compact Impact funds, and why Tinian has as much right to the funds as Saipan. “I am this serious on that debate because I want the people of the entire Commonwealth to understand my situation coming from Tinian, the history of our present status as a Commonwealth, and the important role that Tinian played when we became a Commonwealth,” said Cing. In a letter to Manglona dated yesterday, the Senate Vice President asked for the special session so he could engage Reyes in a debate concerning the Compact Impact funds.