House passes Senate version of bill to appropriate $5.2M to pay retirees’ 25% pension benefits

The House of Representatives passed during an emergency session yesterday the Senate version of a bill that will appropriate $5.2 million of the dividends collected by the Commonwealth Economic Development Authority from the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. for payment of the 25% pension benefits for all government retirees.

With all 17 House members present at the session voting “yes”, House Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez (Ind-Saipan) said the House accepts the Senate’s amendments and because of that House Bill No. 23-104, HD1, SD1, hereby passes the House.

Rep. Joseph Flores (Ind-Saipan) did not vote as he is a retiree, Saipan Tribune learned.

Reps. Denita K. Yangetmai (D-Saipan) and Roy Christopher A. Ada (R-Saipan) were absent but excused from the session.

The bill now goes to Gov. Arnold I. Palacios’ desk for signature.

Rep. Blas Jonathan T. Attao (Ind-Saipan), who is the principal author of the legislation, said with the passage of the bill it’s going to be a sigh of relief for the government retirees as the close date of April 15, 2024 “is coming pretty soon.”

“To the retirees, we have done our work,” Attao said.

He said just like what Rep. Vincent S. Aldan (Ind-Saipan) had mentioned in the House session that this is a band aid solution.

Attao, however, noted that the House has also presented a legislation that is sitting in the Senate under House Bill 23-6 that addresses the retirees’ 25% pension that would not be a band aid solution as that will be a permanent solution.

Before the voting, Attao expressed appreciation to Senate members for acting on the legislation with amendments on Wednesday.

He said among the few Senate amendments is the repayment plan.

Attao said under the House version, a repayment to CEDA was included, but there was no exact date or specifics to the plan of when they are going to make that payment back.

He said with the amendment that the Senate made, it actually put this as a debt service now to the central government.

“So it did increase our debt by $5.2 million. But at the end of the day, it did not change the intent of the legislation which is to get that $5.2 million to the Settlement Fund for the retirees 25% [pension],” Attao said.

He asked House members to support the legislation as amended by the Senate so they can get the money out for the retirees 25% pension “as April 15 is rolling out very, very close.”

Rep. Patrick H. San Nicolas (R-Tinian) said this bill is very crucial ensuring that the retired community members receive the support and care they deserve.

San Nicolas said as representatives to the people of the Commonwealth, they should be committed in advocating for the well-being and financial security for retirees.

“I appreciate each and everyone’s commitment to this cause,” he said.

Floor Leader Edwin K. Propst (D-Saipan) thanked Attao for always looking out for retirees and also the Senate for passing the bill with amendments.

Propst said even though there were some amendments to it that they may not have agreed upon, nonetheless, the purpose of it stays intact and this will help the retirees.

“The quality work that we do here our dear colleagues, we do it collectively in one unified voice. It’s nice to see that. I appreciate each and every one of you for that,” he said.