Legislature overspends in FY04

Official records show that the Legislature spent more than its budget allotment in fiscal year 2004.

Documents obtained by the Saipan Tribune through the Open Government Act showed that the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the Legislative Bureau were budgeted a total of $8.988 million, including a $900,000 retirement contribution; they ended up spending a total of $9.052 million, realizing an overspending of some $64,000.

Data showed that, of the total allotment, $6.032 million was spent for personnel and $3.020 million for operations or All Other expenses.

Based on the list, the House of Representatives spent a total of $3.860 million: $2.3 million for personnel and $1.5 million for All Others. The House had a $3.928 million total allotment.

Of the 18 current members of the lower chamber, majority floor leader Oscar M. Babauta received the highest allotment of $176,733, followed by Vice Speaker and Public Utilities, Transportation, and Communications Committee chair Timothy Villagomez, with $175,079; and Tinian congressman and House and Ways chair Norman S. Palacios, with $175,500.

The records showed that House Speaker Benigno R. Fitial had the smallest allotment of $93,750.

“It’s because the Speaker gives some of his funds to other members,” explained officials from the Department of Finance and the House leadership.

For personnel expenses, Rep. Heinz S. Hofschneider recorded the biggest spending of $124,619, followed by Rep. Arnold I. Palacios, with $114,368; and Rep. Jesus T. Attao, with $98,993.

For All Other expenses, Rep. Martin B. Ada had the highest spending of $121,982; Babauta, with $106,512; and Villagomez, with $101,912.

Overall, Babauta recorded the biggest spending of $175,495; Norman S. Palacios, with $173,893; and Villagomez with $172,205.

Members recorded the following total expenses for FY 2004:

* Oscar M. Babauta, $175,495;
* Norman S. Palacios, $173,893;
* Timothy P. Villagomez, $172,205;
* Arnold I. Palacios, $159,792;
* Martin B. Ada, $154,521;
* Ramon A. Tebuteb, $154,438;
* Benjamin B. Seman, $152,347;
* Joseph P. Deleon Guerrero, $151,019;
* Heinz S. Hofschneider, $147,536;
* Jesus T. Attao, $143,782;
* Janet U. Maratita, $139,027;
* Crispin M. Ogo, $138,296;
* Justo S. Quitugua,$137,369;
* Jesus SN Lizama, $134,655;
* Claudio K. Norita, $132,591;
* David M. Apatang, $125,874;
* Ray N. Yumul, $117,593; and
* Benigno R. Fitial, $79,503.

At the Senate, Rota Sen. Paterno S. Hocog received the biggest allotment of $197,813, followed by Rota Sen. Paul M. Manglona, with $170,875; and Tinian Sen. Joseph Mendiola, with $168,236.

For personnel expenses, Mendiola topped the list with $101,597; Saipan Sen. Pete P. Reyes, with $94,896; and Manglona with $82,404.

For All Others account, Hocog spent the biggest with $135,847; Senate President Joaquin G. Adriano, with $113,299; and Rota Sen. Diego M. Songao, with $95,646.

Overall, Hocog recorded the highest spending of $186,544; Manglona with $172,203; and Mendiola with $169,228.

Members recorded the following total expenses:

* Paterno S. Hocog, $186,544;
* Paul M. Manglona, $172,203;
* Joseph M. Mendiola, $169,228;
* Joaquin G. Adriano, $159,107;
* Pete P. Reyes, $151,375;
* Diego M. Songao, $146,570;
* Thomas P. Villagomez, $140,822;
* Henry H. San Nicolas, $138,920; and
* Luis P. Crisostimo, $110,657.

Statistics showed the House of Representatives has 200 FTEs, the Senate, 110; and the Legislative Bureau has 35.

Each lawmaker receives a constitutionally mandated annual salary of $39,300 and $155,000 operations budget.

The presiding officers—House speaker and the Senate president—as well as other ranking officers—vice speaker, vice president, and floor leaders—receive additional operations funding.

Committee heads also receive funds on top of their regular salary and operations budget.

Further, lawmakers from Rota and Tinian get $4,000 to $5,000 “subsistence” allowance a month for travel-related expenses.

The total legislative spending of $9.052 million in FY 2004 included $344,054 for nine House members belonging to the previous 13th Legislature: Pedro Castro, Andrew Salas, William Torres, Frank Aldan, Gloria Cabrera, Manuel Tenorio, Herman Palacios, Daniel Quitugua, and Stanley Torres, as well as $78,880 for previous Senate members Ramon S. Guerrero, David M. Cing, Jose M. Dela Cruz, and Ricardo Atalig.

Their total expenses covered the months October 2003 to January 2004.

Further, the Legislature’s actual expenditure included $1.9 million for the Legislative Bureau, House contingency account of $179,080, House members salaries of $747,895, and Senate committees’ spending of $677,164.

Overspending of accounts was recorded in the following: $12,195 for House members’ salaries, $524 for Rep. Apatang, $1,328 for Sen. Manglona, $670 for Sen. San Nicolas, $111 for Sen. Cing, $1,409 for Sen. Dela Cruz, $371 for Sen. Atalig, and $172,518 for retirement contribution.