Flashback – Oct. 2000-Oct. 2003

Oct. 18, 2000

Education tax credit gets boost from private schools

A proposed legislation seeking to grant tuition tax credit to elementary and secondary schools in the Commonwealth has drawn support from private schools, citing its advantages to both educational institutions and parents in the Northern Marianas. Authored by Rep. William S. Torres, the Education Tuition Tax Credit proposal was envisioned to provide “qualified” schools incentives for their contributions to uplift the quality of education in the Commonwealth. During a public hearing held at the House chamber yesterday, private school officials recognized the proposed legislation’s merits, noting that it would enable CNMI parents to place their children on a school they think would best provide the students’ educational needs.

House bill junked due to objection

Due to strong objection by the judicial branch, the House of Representatives has scrapped legislation that would have stepped up monitoring of all taxable transfers of real estate in the CNMI. The bill had proposed to make the Commonwealth Recorders Office as a tax enforcement agency of the Division of Taxation and Revenue, a move opposed by Presiding Judge Edward Manibusan. “This additional assignment of duties is contrary to the Commonwealth Recorder’s Act,” according to the report from the House Ways and Means Committee which recommended its scrapping.

Oct. 18, 2001

Verizon urged to confer with telecom panel

Despite reports that Verizon Pacifica will soon be pulling up stakes from the CNMI, Senate President Paul A. Manglona still insists that the telecommunications giant should still sit down with the Commonwealth Telecommunications Commission to iron out any perceived kinks in Public Law 12-39. “We’re saying that they [Verizon] should sit down with Commission. They should work with Commission in going over Public Law 12-39-provision by provision, section by section-because we’re not going to repeal this thing,” said Manglona. The Senate President promised that the Senate will support whatever Verizon and the Commission agree on.

Fitial hosts NMI students at UOG

House Speaker and Covenant Party gubernatorial candidate Benigno R. Fitial last week hosted a luncheon on Guam in honor of CNMI students who are studying at the University of Guam. The luncheon, which was held at the Ladera Towers near the UOG campus, was attended by some 35 students who participated in a candid discussion of Commonwealth issues with the Speaker. The students were impressed with Fitial’s knowledge of the pressing issues and his plans for the youth of the NMI. The UOG group took an active part in the question and answer session wherein they raised questions and concerns about education, scholarships and the future of the Commonwealth.

Oct. 18, 2003

Summit highlights ‘diabetic’s diet’

Discipline in all areas, including diet, must be embraced if one wants to effectively prevent, manage, or treat diabetes. As such, organizers of today’s Diabetes Summit will give a major emphasis on proper nutrition among diabetes patients-beginning with the day’s fish and vegetable breakfast and lunch menu for conference participants. Conference organizers reportedly decided to stick to fish, vegetables, and a cup of rice in the meals that will be served in today’s summit. Jill Vanderkin, the Department of Public Health ‘s newly hired nutritionist, will discuss with the participants the important role of nutrition.

DPS gears up for 3D Prevention Month

The Department of Public Safety disclosed yesterday that programs for the 2003 Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month are now being mapped out to ensure that the campaign against drunk driving will reach the community in time for the holiday rush. DPS spokesperson Capt. Pete Muna said the department successfully implemented the 3D program in 2002, helping prevent the rise of car mishaps during the Christmas and New Year celebrations. Muna said the DPS did not record any deaths or injuries as a result of drunk and drugged driving during last year’s campaign. He credited the community for this success, particularly the help of volunteer-drivers who helped ferry home customers from various establishments in the CNMI.