Flashback March 21, 2000-2002

[B]MARCH 21, 2000

Elameto eyes suit vs CUC[/B]

Former Commonwealth Utilities Corp. Board Chairperson Rosario M. Elameto has protested her ouster as head of the policy-making body as she expressed concern that the action by some members may be unconstitutional. In a sign of growing infighting within the seven-man board, she asked the Attorney General’s Office to bring the issue to court and seek a judgment on behalf of CUC and the government.

[B]Guerrero vows major revamp in utility firm[/B]

Newly elected Commonwealth Utilities Corp. Board Chair Jesus T. Guerrero yesterday vowed to institute major policy changes and revamp management in an effort to bridge its widening gap with the Legislature and the community. He also stressed that the decision to oust former Chairperson Rosario M. Elameto was made after a “thorough review” of applicable public laws and CUC regulations.

[B]Ohle: What power struggle?[/B]

Assistant Attorney General Bill Ohle yesterday confirmed reports that he has resigned as legal counsel for the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation, but denied speculation linking his move to the current infighting among board members. He said he has been planning his departure since six months ago to move back to the U.S. mainland with his wife who wants to attend a four-year college there. In fact, he had informed CUC Executive Director Timothy P. Villagomez about his plan last month.

[B]MARCH 21, 2001

Stable signs of economic turnaround in the horizon[/B]

Despite the weak rally of local businesses during the past three years, hope continues to spring eternal for the Northern Marianas economy. The Commonwealth Development Authority has started receiving inquiries and applications from foreign investors under the recently-enacted Investment Incentive Act of 2000.

[B]Teno keeps options open on 3-year limit brouhaha[/B]

Breaking his silence on what could be the most talked about issue in the CNMI, Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio yesterday dropped strong hints he may support moves to suspend implementation of the three-year limit law. In an interview with reporters yesterday, Mr. Tenorio said he has been very critical of any proposal to impose restrictions on the stay of nonresidents on the islands, amid the absence of sufficient local workers to man government and business operations.

[B]Business leaders cry foul on takeover bill[/B]

Saipan Chamber of Commerce members yesterday took turns castigating US lawmakers who revived efforts to federalize local immigration and labor systems. This came a day after businessmen demonstrated their disgust over the CNMI Senate’s dawdling on the repeal of the three-year limit law.

[B]MARCH 21, 2002

Japan travel execs: 100-K more visitors feasible[/B]

Top executives from the four leading travel agencies in Japan flew in yesterday to take part in a meeting of the Tourism Strategic Planning Task Force, where they expressed optimism that the plan to bring in an additional 100,000 visitors to the CNMI this year is attainable. DFS Saipan president Marian Aldan-Pierce identified the Japanese travel executives as Shigeru Murata and Minoru Yoshida, both representing travel agency HTM-Japan; Hiromi Tsuchiya, representing JalPak; Yoshinobu Onizawa, of PMT; and Katsumi Yajima, of R and C.

[B]Immunity bill being ironed out[/B]

Faced with an undetermined number of illegal aliens in the Commonwealth, the Senate committee on Resources, Economic Development and Programs is looking into proposing a measure that would seek to grant immunity to illegal aliens who voluntarily present themselves. Saying the issue is actually an economic problem, Senate President Paul Manglona disclosed that the committee, chaired by Sen. Ricardo S. Atalig, is working on a bill somewhat similar to the Limited Immunity Act implemented a few years ago in the Commonwealth.

[B]Customs has a new dog handler[/B]

Gov. Juan N. Babauta yesterday praised the Division of Customs Service for its efforts to prevent possible entry of terrorists and illegal contrabands in the Commonwealth by implementing stricter detection measures. This, following the graduation yesterday of Drug Detector Dog Handler Donny Fejeran, who underwent rigid training for several months. Fejeran will now join other graduates of the dog handler program implemented by the customs division