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Torres: Differences on retirees’ bonuses can be resolved if House leadership stops politicking
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres said Friday that if the House of Representatives’ leadership stops politicking and starts prioritizing the government’s retirees, he is optimistic that the House and Senate can resolve their differences on legislation for the retirees’ $1,000 bonuses.
In response to a question about the retirees’ bonuses during a radio news briefing, Torres said he knows the Senate has been supporting the retirees and he hopes the House’s leadership does too.
“But, as we stand today, none of them can stand up and say we are here to support the retirees because it’s been three months since I offered the retirees their bonus,” said the governor, referring to the Democrat-controlled House.
Torres
Torres pointed out that he offered the retirees’ bonus before Christmas of 2021 so they can enjoy the holidays, but the House leadership took that as a political agenda and continues to play with the retirees’ bonus.
“So I’m optimistic? I do know that the Senate has been open and has been supporting the retirees. Until the House actually prioritizes the retirees, I have to say no on the part of the House coming to the table to really address the retirees’ bonus,” the governor said.
House Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez (Ind-Saipan) said during a news briefing Tuesday that their disagreement with the Senate about legislation on the retirees’ bonuses is not political posturing nor about getting credit.
“I disagree. Plain and simple,” said Villagomez when asked about Sen. Victor B. Hocog’s (R-Rota) recent statement that what he is seeing is political posturing.
Villagomez reiterated his previous statements that the House wants to do things the right way.
Last March 10, the Senate unanimously adopted Senate Joint Resolution 22-09 approving Torres’ request to create a new program and business unit for the government retirees’ bonuses. The resolution, authored by Senate President Jude U. Hofschneider (R-Tinian) and five other Republican senators, also approved Torres’ request to reprogram $2.8 million from within the Executive Branch for the payment of the retirees’ bonuses.
The House leadership, however, raised some issues with Senate Joint Resolution 22-09.
