FLASHBACK – May 26, 2012

CPA’s aviation revenues up 75 percent[/B]

Operating revenues of the aviation division jumped by 75 percent in April amounting to $927,441 compared to the same period last fiscal year, according to the Commonwealth Ports Authority. Based on CPA’s monthly financial report, both Japan Airlines and Asiana Airlines registered an increase in passenger arrivals despite the 14 percent cumulative decline on departing international passengers brought about by the low traffic of Continental Airlines and Northwest Airlines. For the past seven months of fiscal year 1999, the ports authority was able to significantly reduce the operating expenses excluding the non-cash items by over $1.3 million compared to the same period of fiscal year 1998. This was also brought about by the strong support of the employees on the cost-cutting measures implemented by management, the ports authority said.

As part of the efforts to raise badly needed revenues, the Legislature will authorize the Superior Court to make money from the trust funds temporarily entrusted to the judiciary as well as from individuals convicted of criminal offense. Under a bill offered by Rep. Heinz Hofschneider, chair of the House committee on Health, Education and Welfare, the court will be allowed to deposit trust funds in the banks at no cost to the government to earn interests whose proceeds shall then be used to administer the program. Likewise, the measure will impose an assessment on all persons who are convicted of a criminal offense, ranging from $10 in the case of an infraction to as much as $400 for a felony.

US House committee decides on $11M funding for CNMI[/B]

The U.S. House Appropriations Committee was scheduled to vote Thursday morning in Washington D.C. (late last night in local time) on the Department of the Interior’s budget for FY 2001 which included allocation to the CNMI amounting to $11 million. Commonwealth officials expressed hope to keep the federal assistance for the next fiscal year that represents construction grants provided under the Section 702 of the Covenant/ Capital Improvement Projects agreement. The House Appropriations scheduled the full committee mark-up at 9:30 a.m. Thursday (D.C. time), which was 12:30 a.m. Friday on Saipan.

Asiana Airlines is eyeing additional direct flights from key cities in Korea to Saipan as the number of visitors from the second largest market for CNMI’s tourism industry continues to increase amid the country’s economic resurgence. Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio offered his assistance to the carrier during a courtesy visit by some Asiana officials to his Capitol Hill office, noting that direct flight service to the Commonwealth is important to the island’s economy. At present, Asiana flies daily from Seoul and three times a week from Pusan to Saipan, bringing in thousands of visitors to the island.

Atalig violates release conditions[/B]

Sen. Ricardo S. Atalig reportedly violated his bail conditions before and after his jury trial on criminal wire fraud and conspiracy charges ended with his conviction, the U.S. Probation Office reported. In a report submitted to the U.S. District Court last week, U.S. Probation Officer Margarita DLG. Wonenberg said Atalig failed to show up for the required drug testing on several occasions, particularly on January 13, March 25 and April 22, and 29 this year. On May 7, though, Wonenberg said Atalig tested negative for any drug or alcohol use, when he subjected himself to urinalysis and breathalyzer during a non-compliance meeting with the senator. Atalig also tested negative for drug use 24 times.

Former Immigration chief Jose P. Mafnas has sued the NMI Retirement Fund over a contributions and benefits dispute. Mafnas, who later became chairman of the Tinian Casino Gaming Control Commission after retiring from his government tenure, wants the Superior Court to render null and void the Fund’s administrative decision refusing to refund his contributions as TCGCC chair. Mafnas, through his lawyer Perry B. Inos, also wants deducted sums from his retirement benefits be returned to him, and that he be paid his benefits free from adjustments.