Saipan Tribune

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Nine Senate committee chairmanships finalized

Senate President Ralph Torres (R-Saipan) finalized yesterday a list of nine committee chairmanships following the reshuffle that saw the ascension of former Senate president Jude U. Hofschneider to the post of lieutenant governor and the appointment of now Sen. Joaquin Borja (R-Tinian).

Only seven of nine senators have committee chairmanships. Torres as president does not chair any committee, while Sen. Juan Ayuyu (Ind-Rota) remains behind bars awaiting sentencing related to alleged endangered fruit bat smuggling.

Of the seven senators, two have two committee chairmanships while the other five have one each.

Sen. Jovita Taimanao (Ind-Rota) chairs both the Fiscal Affairs Committee and the Education and Youth Affairs Committee.

Sen. Frank Cruz (R-Tinian) got the Executive Appointments and Government Investigations Committee and the Federal Relations and Independent Agencies Committee.

Senate Vice President Victor Hocog (R-Rota) chairs the Rules and Procedures Committee, which is expected to come up with recommendation to the full Senate on how to deal with Ayuyu's situation, who has been behind bars since last year.

Senate floor leader Ray Yumul (IR-Saipan) is chairman of the Judiciary, Government and Law Committee.

Sen. Pete Reyes (IR-Saipan) chairs the Public Utilities, Transportation and Communications Committee.

The Resources, Economic Development and Programs Committee goes to Sen. Frank Borja (Ind-Tinian), while the newest member, Borja, chairs the Health and Welfare Committee.