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House legal counsel takes share of blame
The legal counsel of the CNMI House of Representatives took a share of the blame in the confusion that stymied the passage of the bill that sought to adjust the salaries of lawmakers.
Joe Taijeron said that he was the one who advised House co-counsel John Cool about the conflict of interest clause as stated in Section 15 of the CNMI Constitution that says members of the Legislature that have financial or personal interest in a bill may not debate or vote on that legislation.
“Logically, the reason for the [governor’s] veto was based on the insufficiency of the votes based on Section 7 (d). Members must vote on the required number, which is 15. We believe there won’t be an issue anymore if the 15 is met. When [House Bill] 20-195 passed, there was only seven who voted and not 15,” Taijeron informed members yesterday.
“I sided with the governor and the AG that we only have seven votes and did not have 15 when H.B. 20-195 passed. I take responsibility for that because I gave legal advice personally and was concurred by Mr. Cool, which cited Section 15 prohibiting members who wanted to vote. And with the incumbents coming back in the 21st, we believe in good faith that they have a financial interest.”
Article II Section 15 of the CNMI Constitution advises that a member of the Legislature “who has a financial or personal interest in a bill before the Legislature shall disclose that interest and may not debate on or vote on the bill.”
