Speakership turnover still a go

To honor the verbal compromise that broke the deadlock between the 19th House of Representatives on inauguration day, House Speaker Joseph P. Deleon Guerrero (Ind-Saipan) and Rep. Rafael S. Demapan (R-Saipan) reiterated that they will switch places come January 2016, with Demapan taking ownership of the speaker’s gavel.

Deleon Guerrero won the speakership on a vote of 11-9 with the support of Demapan and his six NMI Republican Party mates against Rep. Ramon A. Tebuteb.

The same 11 votes are expected to play a factor in the turnover for speakership. They are Reps. Antonio Sablan (Ind-Saipan), Edwin Aldan (Ind-Saipan), Francis S. Taimanao (Ind-Saipan), Felicidad Ogumoro (R-Saipan), John Paul P. Sablan (R-Saipan), George Camacho (R-Saipan), Angel Demapan (R-Saipan), Joseph “Leepan” T. Guerrero (R-Saipan), Rafael S. Demapan (R-Saipan), Glenn L. Maratita (R-Saipan), and Deleon Guerrero.

After twelve months of being the speaker, Deleon Guerrero said that Demapan should be prepared to take over the helm.

“Many people felt that I should continue as speaker but I’m going to keep my word. We wouldn’t have had a leadership without that agreement taking place. I’m going to honor my part of the bargain, along with my [constituents],” he said.

“In this leadership we discuss what our priorities are. We continue to build concession and move forward. We agreed to share leadership and at the time it was just a matter of who would go first. We are nearing that one year mark and we will call for a reorganizational meeting soon,” he said.

Deleon Guerrero said his priorities continue to be improving the economic situation of the CNMI, protecting retirees, regulating the casino industry, and promoting education.

“Another priority as a speaker is to pass a balanced budget but due to Typhoon Soudelor and the fiber optic situation, we had to protect against scrupulous business practices that postponed the timely passage of the budget. The Legislature is often in crisis management mode and it’s been a challenge,” he said.

Talking in terms of the casino bill, “it continues to be a controversial issue. After much debate we got the gaming commission bill passed to regulate the industry. Although contentious, it’s for the protection of the people.”

Demapan told Saipan Tribune he is looking forward to the speakership in order to guide the Legislature on issues affecting retirees, medical referral, and public lands.

“Finding revenues to keep government programs well-funded is always a priority. …We have to stay focused on the retirement issue, the hospital, public safety, and education. I will continue to work with all the members of the House as well as the Senate to address issues affecting the Commonwealth and I thank them for their patience as we charter the course of the CNMI,” he said.

According to the rules of the House of Representatives, the speaker presides over meetings, calls the House to order, decides all points of order, and interprets the House rules and has the sole authority to assign or remove a chairperson of a standing committee.

With election year coming up, the needed votes for speakership and upcoming bills can still steer in different directions.