Covenant Precinct 3 bets oppose surcharge

The Covenant Party’s Precinct 3 candidates have joined Vice Speaker and fellow Covenant Party member Timothy P. Villagomez in strongly opposing the CUC fuel surcharge fee, saying the fee hurts businesses, consumers, and struggling families.

Covenant Precinct 3 candidates include Francisco S. Dela Cruz, Absalon Waki Jr., Melvin O. Faisao, Howard I. Macaranas, and Henry Rabauliman. The candidates have pledged to work hard to reduce or repeal the fuel surcharge fee if they are successful in November’s general elections.

The Commonwealth Utilities Corp. imposed the fuel surcharge fee with the approval of the Babauta administration, after “clearly failing to successfully manage the public utility” over the past three and a half years. A few incumbent legislators politically aligned with the Babauta-Benavente administration have publicly expressed support for the fuel surcharge fee, despite strong opposition from businesses and households throughout the community.

Senate President Joaquin G. Adriano (Republican, Tinian) and Rep. Arnold I. Palacios (Republican, Saipan Precinct 3) have previously backed Gov. Juan N. Babauta and Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente in voicing support for the fuel surcharge fee in view of CUC’s failure to cope with rising oil prices.

In contrast, Covenant Precinct 3 candidates applaud Villagomez’s efforts to find alternatives to the fuel surcharge fee and are committed to working with Villagomez in the next Legislature if the people entrust them to address CUC’s enormous challenges.

Villagomez had previously introduced House Bill 14-343, a bill to repeal the fuel surcharge, which was passed in the House and the Senate, only to be vetoed by the Babauta-Benavente administration.

In view of the veto, Villagomez has subsequently introduced House Bill 14-362 to further address the fuel surcharge issue on behalf of his constituents. The bill would write off CUC’s debt to the Commonwealth Development Authority and increase the government’s utility rates until it has fully paid its outstanding CUC liabilities.

The current House leadership headed by Speaker Benigno R. Fitial and other Covenant Party members continues to oppose the fuel surcharge and seek alternative solutions for the benefit of local consumers. (PR)