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CNMI gets rid of large govt debt
Torres signs law that halts nearly $1M in annual interest
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres signed into law yesterday an appropriation bill that rids the Commonwealth government of its largest and one of its longest running land compensation obligations to date, two days before its supposed deadline imposed by the Judiciary.
Public Law 20-04, previously known as House Bill 20-103 HS1, appropriates a total of $20,713,619.95 to five of the Commonwealth’s obligations that have been accruing interest over the years.
P.L. 20-04 addresses five obligations of the government, effectively appropriating $16.3 million to the estate of Maria Mangabao, $2.9 million to the heirs of Rita Rogolifoi, $500,000 owed the estate of Vicente S. Muna, over $900,000 owed the estate of Cresencio I. Manglona, and over $80,000 owed Luisa B. Quitugua.
“I want to again thank the Legislature for passing this bill and express my gratitude to the families who have waited patiently,” said Torres in a statement.
“I truly believe our government should live up to its promises, and the payment of these longstanding obligations will allow the CNMI to further address government debts in the near future,” he said, adding that he would work with the Legislature to “maintain our commitment to include future appropriations to address the remaining land compensation claims on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.”
According to Torres, he would be working with the Legislature and the Department of Public Lands to “fulfill payments to all land claimants” and to “ensure that our Commonwealth is in a better financial situation in the long term.”
H.B. 20-103 HS1 was not assigned to any committee to expedite its passing. However, each senator representing Tinian and Rota, with the exception of Sen. Jude Hofschneider (R-Tinian), expressed dissatisfaction with the bill as the land payment only addressed those on Saipan.
Hofschneider was off-island during the Senate session.
Sen. Paul Mangloña (Ind-Rota) tried to amend the bill during the Senate session but the body did not accommodate it, hence the singular opposing vote from the Senate. The House unanimously passed the bill.
Superior Court Judge pro tempore Alberto C. Lamorena III ordered the Commonwealth government to pay the Maria Mangabao estate $16.3 million by Aug. 18, 2017.
