Opinions divided on bills empowering councils

Former senator Juan “Morgen” Tenorio and former municipal council member David Igitol have expressed opposition to two legislative initiatives granting municipal councils lawmaking authority.

Tenorio believes that this would only result in additional burden for taxpayers. At the same time, he said that setting up the system such as hiring staff would cost more money.

Igitol said this would only duplicate the functions of the existing local delegations—composed of local lawmakers and the municipal mayors—that tackle and address local concerns in aid of legislation.

Igitol reportedly said it should be “one way or the other.”

“He [Igitol] believes that either you go for local delegation or the empowered municipal council. You can’t have both,” according to House leadership spokesman Charles Reyes.

He said that while majority of people invited in yesterday’s public hearing favored the initiatives, those who aired their opposition also delivered “convincing” statements.

He said the House Committee on Judicial and Governmental Operations, chaired by Rep. Jesus Lizama, would review all the testimonies given during the hearing and come up with a report.

The committee may also decide to hold another hearing if deemed necessary.

Lizama’s committee discussed yesterday House Legislative Initiatives 14-4 and 14-5, which aim to amend Articles 6 and 2 of the CNMI Constitution to allow municipal councils and the mayors’ offices to enact local measures.

Both initiatives are authored by Saipan Rep. Oscar M. Babauta.

HLI 14-4, titled Municipal Government Legislative Initiative Act of 2004, amends Article 6 “to treat each chartered municipality form of local governments on an equal basis and to further empower them to pass local laws exclusively on local matters.”

It said there still remain uncertainties and ambiguities as to the legal roles of these local agencies, although several attempts have been made to make them become more involved exclusively on local issues.

The local governments refer to the municipalities of Saipan and Northern Islands, Tinian and Aguigan, and Rota.

It cites greater local empowerment is necessary in anticipation of the CNMI’s population growth, which would translate to more complex issues to address.

“Certain local issues are better left to local municipal governments to deal with in the form of local municipal ordinances and decentralized deliveries of public services,” it said.

HLI 14-5 has a similar argument, noting that “it is in the best interest of the people that each municipality play a more active role in local matters and issues strictly of local concern within their jurisdictions.”

HLI 14-4 provides that the mayor shall have the executive authority limited to local laws that affect only the island or islands served.

It provides that the mayor may propose municipal ordinances relating to local matters for enactment by the municipal council.

The mayor shall have 30 days to either approve or veto municipal ordinances.

Every ordinance enacted by the council shall be signed by the presiding officer of the council and submitted to the mayor.

It becomes a law upon the signing of the mayor.