Businessmen asked to press repeal of 3-yr. stay limit law
As the Senate prepares to debate on what bill it would choose to decide the fate of Public Law 11-69, Saipan Chamber of Commerce leaders yesterday urged members and non-members alike to attend the session tomorrow.
Chamber President Anthony Pellegrino called on all businessmen in the Commonwealth to go up to Capitol Hill and voice their support for either the repeal of the three-year limit law or Senator Ramon Guerrero’s compromise bill.
“The Senate will be debating on the three-year limit this Thursday. This would be a make or break deal for all of us. Businessmen should all come in full force to show our unity in this issue,” Mr. Pellegrino said.
Last week, the chamber and the public got a promise from Senate President Paul A. Manglona that the senators will pass Mr. Guerrero’s SB 12-108, in a week’s time.
However, even that pledge is up in the air as a fourth bill, this time amending PL 11-69, was introduced during the weekend by Senator Thomas Villagomez.
Mr. Villagomez’s bill seeks to exempt nonresident workers who were already here before the three-year limit’s implementation in March 5, 1999, from being repatriated.
According to Mr. Pellegrino, he has gotten wind that the Senate may also opt to vote on House Bill 12-317. Authored by Rep. Malua Peters, the bill, like its Senate version SB 12-044, seeks to abrogate PL 11-69 in its entirety.
The chamber president has in the past said that CNMI businessmen although leaning towards an entire repeal of PL 11-69 could live by SB 12-108. Senator Guerrero’s bill calls for a two-year moratorium on the three-year limit’s implementation.
The two-year period would be used to come up with a comprehensive study on the impact of PL 11-69 on the CNMI economy and community. Lately, the chamber has also suggested that a survey on local labor aptitude and practices also be included in the initiative.
According to Mr. Pellegrino, the chamber has 160 members that comprise over 75 percent of total labor force in the Commonwealth. The chamber will be having its monthly meeting this morning and the issue on the three-year limit is expected to be one of the points to be discussed.
The Senate is set to debate on PL 11-69 during its session at 10am tomorrow.
