Manglona backs D. C. trip by legislators • Senate plans trip to Washington in the future

Senate President Paul A. Manglona, who canceled his trip to Washington D.C. at the last minute, said yesterday that the upper house also plans to send its own delegation in the future as part of the efforts to block federal takeover legislation in the U.S. Congress.

He stressed the CNMI government must continue to keep a “constant presence” in the nation’s capital to protect local interests and ensure that the Commonwealth maintains control over its own labor and immigration authority.

Mr. Manglona and three other senators who were originally scheduled to join the House delegation in the week-long trip had decided not to travel because of the budget deliberation and other legislative concerns, according to the Senate president.

“I feel that we have adequate representation and I have every confidence that they will represent us,” he told in an interview. “The Senate will have a delegation… but I think that we would not keep the members to have more than five in each trip.”

Noting that House Speaker Benigno R. Fitial and the 11 other lawmakers in the delegation intend to meet with leaders of Congress, Mr. Manglona said this should be supported because of its impact on the efforts by the island government to woo support for its cause.

“It’s important that we have this constant presence in D.C. and members of the Legislature should be making this regular visit. The control of immigration and labor laws are critical in the CNMI,” he added.

Legislation extending federal immigration laws to the island is now pending with the U.S. House of Representatives after the Senate passed it in February despite strong opposition from local leaders and business representatives who maintain that such a measure would have disastrous effects on the CNMI’s economy.

Before he left Saipan last Monday, Mr. Fitial underscored the significance of the trip in trying to put a face on the various issues confronting the Commonwealth since many lawmakers in the mainland are not aware of the real conditions on the island.

Sen. Ramon S. Guerrero, who was supposed to join the trip, disclosed he changed his mind because of criticisms that it would cost taxpayers’ money.

“[These critics] have to understand the distinction that we want to represent our people,” he said in a separate interview. “The Senate will have to go there someday because it’s very important for us to meet with members of Congress.”

Aside from the two, Sen. David M. Cing, chair of the Federal and Foreign Relations Committee, and Sen. Jose M. Dela Cruz also canceled their trips at the last minute. (BS)