Previous Story
Senate resolution seeks SOCA on Valentine’s Day
|
Posted on Dec 13 2011
By Haidee V. Eugenio
Reporter
Reporter
Senate President Paul Manglona (Ind-Rota) pre-filed yesterday a joint resolution asking Gov. Benigno R. Fitial to deliver his State of the Commonwealth Address and Delegate Gregorio Kilili Sablan (Ind-MP) to report on federal matters concerning the CNMI during a joint session of the House and Senate on Feb. 14, Valentine’s Day, at 10am.
However, as of yesterday, it’s not clear whether Fitial will still go ahead with a 2011 written report to the Legislature on the State of the Commonwealth.
Fitial sent a 2010 written State of the Commonwealth report to lawmakers toward the end of December 2010.
If Fitial waits until Feb. 14, 2012, to report to the Legislature-either through SOCA or a written report-he might have violated the Constitution for not having a 2011 report.
Although there is no requirement in U.S. Public Law 10-229, the law that placed CNMI immigration under federal control, for the CNMI congressional delegate to report to the people, Manglona said “it is important for the people and the government of the CNMI to be informed on the efforts of his CNMI delegate’s office to advance and protect the CNMI’s interests and to address other federal matters concerning the Commonwealth at a joint session of both houses of the Legislature.”
The proposed venue for the joint session to receive the governor’s SOCA and the delegate’s report is the House chamber on Capital Hill.
