Flashback Oct. 19, 1999-2001

Oct. 19, 1999

Reject legislative initiative-Faisao

A legislator yesterday urged voters not to support a legislative initiative seeking to amend the CNMI Constitution to create separate finance offices for each branch of the government, saying the proposal will add another layer to bureaucracy that will burden taxpayers. Rep. Melvin Faisao had opposed the initiative when it was tackled by the House of Representatives early this year, but it got enough votes from members to be included in the balloting for the Nov. 6 midterm elections. Senate Legislative Initiative 11-4 aims to change a constitutional provision to create a respective finance office within the Legislative Bureau as well as the Judicial Branch.

Voters can choose write-in candidates

Aside from the 68 official candidates whose names appear on the ballots, CNMI voters are also allowed to vote for write-in candidates, the elections chief said. Write-in candidates are those who are not in the official list of candidates certified by the Board of Elections. If a certain position has only one candidate, it doesn’t mean that candidate automatically assumes the post, according to Gregorio Sablan, executive director of the Board of Elections. “There are people that voters want to elect in office, but did not file nominating petitions. Every ballot provides a space where voters can write the names of people that they want to vote,” Sablan said.

Oct. 19, 2000

Govt asked to locate funds to build Center for Women

Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio has been asked to facilitate efforts to identify funding that would pave the way for the construction of the proposed center for women, a project that was conceived several years back. Rep. William S. Torres said the proposed center, which was brought up in 1995 during the leadership of former Gov. Froilan C. Tenorio, will house the Women’s Affairs Office, a resource facility, a cafeteria and a day care center. The center was envisioned to be a place where women in the CNMI would find not only solace but the inspiration to achieve economic well-being and empowerment and productive networking, said Mr. Torres.

PSS clears errors on report card

The Public School System yesterday corrected its total Fiscal Year 2000 budget cited in its newly released report card after being swamped with phone calls particularly from the Department of Finance questioning the accuracy of the figures. Instead of a $300,327.00 local appropriation in operational funds for FY 1999-2000, PSS clarified the figure is actually missing a digit which should be $3,026,213.00. “It’s merely a typographical error,” said PSS officials. The eight-page statistical report also stated that PSS’ personnel local appropriation funds during the past fiscal year amounted to some $33,015,900.00.

Oct. 19, 2001

Fitial eyes better retirement program

As he had announced in the gubernatorial debate last October 1, House Speaker Benigno R. Fitial is pursuing plans for the establishment of an alternative retirement program that provides for a more equitable pension system and greater social security while helping increase real income for participants. “We’re looking at various models, including the 401K program. But, of course, like other programs, this will entail more in-depth studies to see which system would best suit us here in the Northern Marianas,” said Fitial. The Speaker said he is exploring a new system due to the perceived inequity under the current two-class system administered by the Northern Mariana Islands Retirement Fund.

Nonresident Workers Fund remains liquid

Despite a deficit of $1.46 million from 1995 to 2001, the Nonresident Workers Fund remains liquid, with a total unspent balance of $.994 million as of September this year. In a 14-page testimony submitted to the Senate Committee on Executive Appointments and Government Investigation, the Office of the Public Auditor said that, from the inception of the Fund in April 1987 up to this year, actual collections have generally exceeded total appropriations. This was particularly true covering the period from 1987 up to 1994, when actual collections reached $14.67 million, while total appropriations only reached $13.05 million-or an unexpended balance of $1.63 million, the OPA report said.