Flashback Feb. 10, 1999-2003

Feb. 10, 1999

Legislators slam Miller

Members of the CNMI Legislature yesterday slammed as yet another threat to its self-governance a proposed rider in an appropriation bill in the U.S. Congress that will amend the tariff-free treatment of local goods as well as make any raise in the federal minimum wage level applicable in the commonwealth. Since it will be done through a legislation that will certainly get support from U.S. lawmakers, they said the proposal will undermine the authority of the island government to control its labor and immigration in view of its impact on the CNMI economy. “Those are serious implications on our Covenant,” explained House Majority Floor leader Ana S. Teregeyo.

Students must face scholarship reforms

Students who are enjoying local educational grants will have no choice but to live with the future reforms that will be introduced in June by the CNMI government. CNMI Scholarship Director Hilaria K. Santos and Teacher Academy Coordinator Joan B. Kani both shared this confidence that students could cope with present realities. Santos said off-island students have been notified that educational aid for the summer term was suspended. This was also confirmed by Special Education Advisor Dan Nielsen who is drafting a letter to advise recipients of the $15,000 cap for full scholars and amendments on the other statutory programs.

Feb. 10, 2000

Fight takeover-legislators

Stunned by the U.S. Senate’s approval of the federal immigration takeover bill, two members of the Legislature yesterday called for active lobbying campaign in Washington to block its passage in the House of Representatives. To draw support from the lower house, a delegation from the CNMI should also travel to the U.S. capital to personally appeal against the legislation that will extend federal immigration laws to the island. S. 1052 was passed by the nation’s senators on Monday, becoming the first measure to reach both chambers of the bicameral body in Washington D.C. amending CNMI’s self-governing status as provided under the Covenant.

Bank assets reach $571M

In what appears to be a sign of strong financial infrastructure in the Northern Marianas, bank assets have reached over $571 million during the third quarter of last year, according to a report prepared by the Department of Commerce. Total deposits amounted to $555 million during the third quarter of 1999, slightly up from the previous quarter’s $554 million. The 1999 Quarterly Bank Report noted that deposits during the first three months of last year reached $529 million. Savings deposit from both the government and the private sector dropped from $203 million during the second quarter of last year to $191 million the following year. First quarter deposits totaled $204 million.

Feb. 10, 2003

Supreme Court fines AGO $250

The Supreme Court has fined the Attorney General’s Office $250 for filing an appeal that magistrates described as “frivolous.” The High Court also directed the AGO to pay plaintiffs Guo Qiong He and Yi Gong Chen the amount of their expenses in opposing the appeal, including incurred attorney’s fees. Associate Justice Alexandro Castro, together with Justice Pro Tempore Virginia Sablan Onerheim and Kathleen M. Salii, signed the order. The Supreme Court’s ruling was in connection with two cases separately filed by He and Chen at the Superior Court, accusing the government of violating their federal civil rights. The two were nabbed by immigration officers without a warrant of arrest at a Saipan garment factory in 1997. They were eventually ordered deported.

Online program seeks NMI students

Taking up a quality online course is neither easy nor cheap; it takes commitment and active participation from both students and the institution, according to University of Phoenix Online regional director for Asia and the Pacific Rim Jason Schrott. “People think that an online course is easy and cheap. Both of these are misnomers. To run a high quality education in an online environment that is instructor-led requires a lot of resources, and a lot of commitment from many people,” said Schrott. He made the remarks when asked on issues relating to quality control and academic integrity.