Fitial forms coalition
Former Speaker Benigno R. Fitial has organized a new coalition of Republicans, Democrats and Independents to take the leadership mantle when the 12th House of Representatives convenes next week.
The move was part of his quest to secure the speakership when the 18-seat members take their oath on Jan. 10. Both Mr. Fitial and incumbent Rep. Heinz S. Hofschneider have been eyeing the top post.
In a statement, Mr. Fitial said he has been working with colleagues he feels are “willing to make a difference in setting the tone for the new millennium by resolving the economic crisis that has seen a significant drop in revenue generation” over the last three years.
“Where leadership is needed that realistically caters to improving the economic lot of our people, then this is where I come in and offer my set of plans to translate the current doldrums into opportunities,” said the representative-elect from Precinct 3.
The coalition is comprised of 10 representatives — three Republicans, five Democrats, one from Tinian Democratic Party and one independent — who hope to be voted by the House majority to assume leadership and committee chairmanship at the lower chamber.
During a recent meeting, the group has approved a caucus resolution and an agreement, including the appointment of presiding officers and committee chairmanship.
They are: Representatives-elect Benigno R. Fitial, speaker; Alejo Mendiola, vice speaker; Oscar Babauta, floor leader; Antonio M. Camacho, Ways and Means; Brigida Ichihara, Education; Malua T. Peter, Health and Welfare.
Dino Jones will head two committees, Judiciary and Governmental Operations and Natural Resources; Rosiky Camacho, Public Utilities, Transportation and Communications; Norman Palacios, Federal and Foreign Relations and Florencio (Bobby) Guerrero, Commerce and Tourism.
Besides Mr. Mendiola, Mr. Babauta, Ms. Peter, Mr. Jones and Mr. Rosiky Camacho, all the others were elected into a two-year term in office during the last Nov. 6 polls.
Wealth creation
According to Mr. Fitial, the declining revenue collections have resulted in equal reduction of public services and job opportunities. “The answer is in wealth creation that will in turn create jobs for our people,” he said.
“Apparently, we’ve lost focus on wealth and jobs creation, the direct result being the unnecessary clamor among our people for job opportunities to provide a decent living for their families. The lack of jobs can only be met with fresh and lasting investments,” he explained.
Fitial said that his commitment to make a difference “is quite a monumental task in that it will involve major revamping of the outdated tax system and other reactionary laws that have at best, stifled expansion of current investments and discouragement of fresh capital infusion.”
“We need to dismiss the mentality that government is and should continue to be the sole provider of all our basic needs,” he pointed out. “It can only provide quality public services if and, only if, the private sector is equally healthy and thriving.”
“As families here search to make it through the maze of economic hardship, I am sure most will agree of the need to sacrifice provincial partisanship and fly the lone skies of real leadership to improve the welfare of our people,” Mr. Fitial said.
“After all, no one political group has any right to pander to political correctness as to sacrifice the well-being of the people we represent in our governmental institutions,” he added. “The new coalition of leadership has a set of plans that is all embracing to meet the needs of all three major islands here.”
