FLASHBACK December 20,1999-2001

Widen tobacco ban[/B]

Because existing law is not strong enough to deter minors from buying and using tobacco products on the islands, legislation underway in the House of Representatives will raise the age of prohibition from 18 to 21 years old. Its proponent, Rep. Malua T. Peter, said restricting access to tobacco products will ensure protection of minors from the harmful effects of tobacco smoking which she noted has become a serious threat in the CNMI. Under House Bill 11-509, Ms. Peter will seek amendments to Public Law 11-75 or the Tobacco Act to tighten penalty against those below 21 years old who are found violating the law with fine of up to $2,000, a one-year imprisonment or community service of not more than 350 hours.

Lawyers for the federal government as well as for the Tinian and Rota legislative delegation have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to junk an appeal filed in connection with a district court ruling that upheld the present CNMI Senate composition. The party argued in court papers that the complaint by Representative-elect Stanley T. Torres and lawyer Jeanne Rayphand invoking “one person, one vote” does not have basis to warrant review by the Supreme Court. They said that the decision by the federal district court in the Northern Marianas should be affirmed to quash further attempt to change the three-member representation in the Senate by each district of Saipan, Tinian and Rota.

‘Shooting resort’ gets Senate nod[/B]

The Senate yesterday finally cleared the controversial measure allowing high-powered guns in the proposed “shooting resorts” in the Northern Marianas amid a threat by foreign investors to pull out if the government continues to drag the issue. HB 12-212 amending the strict Weapons Control Act of the CNMI heads to the lower house again for voting on the amendments made by senators to address safety concerns raised by some sectors in this island community. House Floor Leader Oscar M. Babauta, main sponsor of the measure, said they may consider it for passage during a scheduled special session today if the changes are acceptable to the members.

Lolita Manalo started receiving over a dozen of Christmas cards mailed to her by friends and relatives from the Philippines as early as the first week of November last year. She has not received anything yet for this year. However, Ms. Manalo now spends more time in front of the Internet-hooked computer browsing electronic greeting cards which have practically replaced those she had to pick up from her mailbox last year. The advent of modern technology and the reliability of fast-transmission through the modem, which could transpire in a matter of seconds, has taken its toll on some of the world’s traditional services.

House lifts worker importation ban[/B]

The measure repealing the moratorium on the hiring of nonresident workers hurdled the tough-and very vocal-opposition put up by the House minority yesterday to make it to the next phase in the legislative process. With a majority vote of eight and six others voting no, the House of Representatives passed House Bill 12-415 during Wednesday morning’s regular session, in a bid to repeal Public Law 11-6, which House Speaker Benigno R. Fitial described as an “anti-business law.” It was not an easy victory, though, with Reps. Heinz S. Hofschneider and Diego T. Benavente each making impassioned appeals and offering compelling reasons for the retention of Public Law 11-6.

The government has been advised to further reduce its revenue projection for the next fiscal year, as the Marianas Visitors Authority anticipates a 10-year slowdown in tourism-related activities that may be spurred by the Japanese market. Unless the CNMI government develops a new market for the islands’ travel sector, the MVA said economic forecasts for the Commonwealth remain dim. MVA Board Chair Dave M. Sablan cited the need to reduce the government’s operational expenses to arrest possible funding shortage in the next financial year.