FLASHBACK December 18, 1998-2001

CNMI freezes hirings from China[/B]

Due to the refusal of the Beijing government to cooperate in accepting the return of its nationals deported from the commonwealth, the Northern Marianas has suspended indefinitely the issuance of entry permits to citizens of the People’s Republic of China. This is the first time that the administration has taken a strong stance against the influx of Chinese nationals onto the islands whose growing presence in CNMI has worried both local and federal officials. Majority of the illegal aliens deported by the Department of Labor and Immigration are Chinese who either lack skills to qualify for employment or necessary working permits.

Health Secretary Joseph Kevin Villagomez issued a counterattack on critics who said the medical tests for foreign workers were in fact veiled attempt at raising money for the government. “All those accusations of certain people about our way of trying to make money for the government are just hogwash. It really bothers me to hear leaders supposedly of certain sectors in the community telling us that it’s our way of making money for the government. That money never came to the Department of Public Health,” Villagomez said. “We’re not here to make money. I think if anything – just $2 or $3 went to the department for processing and moving things around,” he added.

CNMI appeals for Bush’s assistance[/B]

Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio said on Friday he is looking forward to working with President-elect George W. Bush to enhance relations with the CNMI and federal government. Citing his administration’s policy of constructive engagement with federal officials despite differences on labor and immigration issues, the local chief executive asked the incoming U.S. leader to help the islands, particularly in the economy. “We will continue to follow that policy and we’re looking forward to working with the new administration,” he told reporters in an interview after the ribbon-cutting ceremony of the new Kagman Community Center.

Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio flew to Manila yesterday to receive a prestigious award from Philippine President Joseph Estrada for his commitment to promote the well-being and uplift the conditions of thousands of Filipinos in the Northern Marianas. Tenorio’s trip to the Philippines coincides with the signing of the amended version of the existing bilateral labor agreement, which aims to further improve the working and living conditions of Filipino workers on the islands. The governor was accompanied by Philippine Consul Julia C. Heidemann, along with officials of the CNMI Department of Labor and Immigration headed by Secretary Mark Zachares who will meet with their counterparts from Manila for the labor pact.

Home haven no more for kids[/B]

Three members of a family residing in the Dandan homestead area were placed under investigation on complaints that they sexually and physically-abused a 12-year old female relative. The child abuse complaint, filed before the Department of Public Safety, alleged that the male suspects, aged 18 and 26, sexually molested the minor on August 10 and September 7, 2001, after midnight hours inside their residence. The men allegedly fondled her private parts while other family members were asleep.

Changes in the spending habit of consumers have forced commercial establishments and retail outlets to sell items at really low prices in order to reach sales target during the holidays. With a few days left before Christmas day, people are rushing to stores throughout the island for their holiday shopping and are now met with aggressive promotion and marketing efforts. Businesses are scrambling over the dwindling number of customers who have evidently practiced frugality notwithstanding the traditional extravagant shopping sprees during the holidays.