No date yet on continuation of BOOST hearings
The House of Representatives special committee that is investigating the previous administration’s Building Optimism, Opportunities, and Stability Program, or BOOST Program, has yet to decide as to when to continue their hearing.
In response to Saipan Tribune’s inquiry yesterday, Rep. Ralph N. Yumul (Ind-Saipan), who chairs the Special Committee on Federal Assistance & Disaster-Related Funding, said there is no specific date as to when to resume the hearing because they are preparing for the government’s 2025 fiscal year budget.
“None for now,” said Yumul, who also chairs the House Ways and Means Committee that is in charge of the budget legislation.
The last special committee meeting was held last March 29 when the members agreed to summon former Department of Commerce’s Economic Development director Jesus Taisague and others who received BOOST monies, to testify at a later date to be set by Yumul.
The committee agreed to authorize Yumul to issue subpoenas to Taisague, “Alexandria” Yuan Ying, and Kevin C. Guerrero to testify.
At the March 29 meeting, the members also voted “yes” to two motions to find former Department of Finance secretary David DLG. Atalig in contempt.
During last Thursday’s House special session, 18 House members voted “yes” to adopt the special committee’s report that finds instances of contempt to the House by majority vote.
Reps. Roy Christopher A. Ada (R-Saipan) and Patrick H. San Nicolas (R-Tinian) voted “no” to the motion to adopt the special committee report.
The special committee directs House Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez (Ind-Saipan) to certify the contempt statement to the CNMI Attorney General for the prosecution of former Finance secretary Atalig in the Superior Court.
All persons who testified before the committee upon the latter’s subpoena were found in contempt for not responding to most questions about the BOOST Program, upon the advice of their lawyers to invoke their Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination.
Ralph N. Yumul
