Leadership of 12th NMI Legislature

The Issue: Installation of new set of officers in the 12th NMI Legislature yesterday morning on Capitol Hill in both chambers.

Our View: We extend our Bien Felis to the new leadership as it begins its journey on socio-economic reconstruction.

Speaker Benigno R. Fitial reclaimed the post he once held in the third NMI Legislature, proving to supporters, spectators and detractors that he is still a skillful and master politician. He wrested the post over younger GOP rival Heinz Hofschneider by a vote of 10-8 by combining republicans, democrats and independents.

While the election of officers in the Senate went smoothly with Senator Paul Manglona reclaiming the presidency via acclamation, the tense-filled lower chamber saw intermittent political intramural that eventually gave way to the will of the new majority.

While the ceremony was prolonged by speeches from members, Speaker Fitial articulated his shared vision of issues requiring the sober thoughts and cooperation of his colleagues. He dubbed these issues the Four Pillars or Es: Economy, Education, Environment and Essentials.

Fitial made it clear that there will be no federal takeover of the NMI and that the battle to protect the freedoms the NMI has worked so hard for is a “battle worth waging”. “The prize is in pre-Covenant days and we will not surrender to bureaucrats in Washington”. He also noted the need to address qualitative issues affecting the lives of all who live in the NMI.

What’s interesting in the new set of House Leadership is the sense of enthusiasm to making a difference from the “business as usual” attitude to that proactivity to revive the economic doldrums and bring prosperity to new heights. With the shift from a GOP majority to minority (a somewhat strange territory) intramural sparks would occur intermittently after which equilibrium should set-in among colleagues from both sides of the aisle.

As inconceivable as it may seem, this is the second time in Marianas political history when the majority became the minority. Former Speaker Pedro R. Guerrero came in with his democratic majority in the Seventh Legislature. He opted to secure the GOP’s support when a democratic colleague challenged his renomination as head of the lower chamber. The GOP too wanted a share of command and control in lower chamber politics.

We feel a sense of hope and optimism as the new leadership rolls-up its sleeves to buckle down to the task at hand. We offer our most profound congratulations and Bien Felis as you begin your work as policymakers in the new legislature, new millennium, new year, new set of issues under the spirit of cooperation.
Congratulations!