Coalition prevails in House

As expected, the new coalition of Republicans, Democrats and Independents took control of the House of Representatives during the highly-charged inaugural session yesterday packed with hundreds of families, relatives, friends and supporters of the 18-seat chamber.

The coalition, comprised of 10 members led by former Speaker Benigno R. Fitial, elected the political veteran to a new two-year term to the House’s top post, along with Rota Rep. Alejo M. Mendiola as Vice Speaker and Rep. Oscar M. Babauta as Majority Floor Leader.

Rep. Heinz S. Hofschneider’s bid for speakership ended in crushing defeat with just eight votes from fellow GOP partymates, so was Representatives Diego T. Benavente’s nomination as vice speaker and Jesus T. Attao’s aim for the third ranking position in the lower house.

Mr. Fitial won the support of two Republicans, six Democrats and one Independent who all, in turn, will head the eight committees created under a House majority caucus resolution adopted by the coalition.

Waged during the last two months immediately after the Nov. 6 midterm elections, the split into two factions arising from the fierce battle for control of the first CNMI Legislature of the new century remained visible during the three-hour session.

Mr. Attao questioned the coalition-drafted House rules adopted by the body, citing the abolition of the Office of Minority Leader and re-organization of the various committees.

Mr. Hofschneider, on the other hand, slammed a change in some of the policies, such as prohibiting the use of vernacular language during the session as part of the official House journals — a move that Mr. Fitial, who was acting as speaker pro tempore, said is intended to facilitate transcription.

The 29-page draft of the House rules sparked a brief debate between the two camps, but the coalition prevailed by virtue of its majority votes.

New speaker

With two sets of nominees for the three top presiding officers of the House, tension grew during the voting at the chamber. Supporters of the coalition broke into wild applause after Mr. Fitial, Mr. Mendiola and Mr. Babauta won successively.

Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio, attending briefly its inaugural session, pledged to work closely with the new House leadership as he threw full support and cooperation of his administration in crafting legislation needed by the CNMI.

“Let us begin the new millennium by pulling together all our efforts to continue to provide vital public service to our community,” he told the House. “Our administration will look forward to working closely with you on issues that will improve the livelihood of our people, especially during this challenging year.”

During respective speeches made by each member, who was sworn by Associate Chief Justice Alex Castro into a two-year term in office pledging to uphold public interests, they spoke of campaign promises and bridging political differences.

Nine members joined the others re-elected last November in the 12th Legislature, including Mr. Fitial who staged a political comeback in 1999.

Among the issues these lawmakers pitched were the scholarship program, medical referral, road improvement, closure of Puerto Rico dumpsite, salary hike for government employees, land compensation, education as well as pro-business laws and the federal takeover attempt.

Minority

Mr. Benavente, who stepped down after a six-year tenure as Speaker to give way to Mr. Hofschneider’s bid, said this is the first time in his 10 years as lawmaker to be part of the minority party.

“I have been re-elected… I believe is because of what I do out here as member of the Legislature and I do know one thing that is to continue to do what I’ve been doing,” he said in his speech.

Outlining his plans in the next two years, Mr. Attao urged the House to take actions on legislation which may invite criticisms, such as revamp of the government retirement system.

“We must fight for what we feel is right, but we must be prepared to compromise for and in the best interest of the people of the Commonwealth,” said the lawmaker.

Rep. Stanley Torres, who made a successful in the midterm polls following his defeat in 1997 for a Senate seat, underscored the need to get down to work immediately as he encouraged the 12th Legislature to become the “busiest, hardest working and most effective” legislative body ever in CNMI’s history.

Rep. William Torres made a pitch on reinventing the government and re-examining economic policies that are impediments to both local and foreign investments.

Mr. Mendiola also expressed concern on the worsening economic downturn on the island, saying that “we will work in harmony for the benefits of every man, woman and child. We owe it to our children and the generations to come.”

Rep. Dino Jones pointed out that with the new leadership on board, this is now the time to set aside politics and begin the hard work. “We will work cooperatively because we are now truly representatives of the people,” said the Democrat representative.