Saipan Tribune

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

Friday, February 08, 2013

Senate names members of impeachment panel

Senate President Jude Hofschneider (R-Tinian) named the three other members of the Senate Special Committee on Impeachment led by Vice President Ralph Torres (R-Saipan).

This came on the same day a House special panel on impeachment pre-filed yesterday its report and recommendation to the full House to move the process to the Senate for trial.

Torres, also the chairman of the Senate Committee on Rules and Proecures, said the special panel will meet today.

Sen. Frank Cruz (R-Tinian) is committee vice chairman, while Sen. Jovita Taimanao (Ind-Rota) and Sen. Pete Reyes (IR-Saipan) are members.

Torres said the committee, with the help of the Senate counsel and possibly a private counsel, will formulate the rules. He said once the rules are adopted by the full Senate, the governor may be given two weeks to prepare for the actual trial.

He said the committee may also seek assistance from current and retired judges to help facilitate the proceedings.

If and when the House succeeds on Monday in getting at least 14 “yes” votes to adopt a resolution impeaching Fitial for 18 allegations of corruption, felony and neglect of duty, the process moves to the Senate for trial. Six affirmative votes are needed in the nine-member Senate to convict the governor.