FLASHBACK

May 29, 2005

HOUSE WARNS BOG ON LOAN LIABILITY

Lawmakers intend to send Bank of Guam “a strong message,” warning it of liabilities that may arise from a $10-million letter of credit that it is giving the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.

House Speaker Benigno R. Fitial said during a session Friday that a letter would be sent to the bank.
Local
‘NEW FUEL CONTRACT UP BY MONDAY’

The government believes that a new fuel contract with Mobil Oil Marianas would be signed on Monday.

Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente, who heads the government negotiating panel, said yesterday that a new contract is needed to ensure the delivery of fuel next week.

“We have to finish it by Monday because of the fuel that’s coming. It’s loaded and it’s on its way but we have to have a contract for it to be delivered,” said Benavente.

MAY 29, 2004

SPOUSE BEATERS, BEWARE!

To curb the rising incidence of domestic violence in the Commonwealth, Gov. Juan N. Babauta yesterday signed the bill that would criminalize domestic abuse, along with mandatory jail terms for violators. The new measure also provides that there would be no suspension of sentence and that a violator’s sentence may be increased if children witness the abuse incident.

WIA PROVIDES $110K FILM SCHOOL GRANT

The CNMI Workforce Investment Agency essentially saved the Northern Marianas College film school program when it made available a $110,000 grant for the scholarship of 60 film students beginning this summer. Film school proponents earlier feared that the college would terminate the program for lack of funding.

MAY 29, 2003

DPS WARNS VS THIEVES

Burglary incidents are expected to increase this summer as residents go on off-island vacations, leaving their homes unprotected, the Department of Public Safety warned yesterday. DPS-Criminal Investigation Bureau chief Capt. John Salas said that, since the police would not be present at all times, residents should take precautionary measures and be mindful of their neighbors.

ATALIG’S REQUEST FOR NEW TRIAL OPPOSED

Saying that the federal jury rendered a valid verdict when it convicted Sen. Ricardo S. Atalig, government prosecutors opposed the senator’s request for new trial or judgment of acquittal in documents submitted to the U.S. District Court late Tuesday. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Rice branded as “speculative” the claim of Atalig’s lawyer Stephen Woodruff regarding alleged jury bias. Woodruff had said one of the jurors “may have had a bias against co-defendant Marjorie Dela Cruz.” The defense lawyer contended that the bias extends to his client because the young Dela Cruz benefited from the senator.

DFW LOBBIES AGAINST NAVAL EXERCISES IN ANATAHAN

The Division of Fish and Wildlife has urged the Marianas Public Lands Authority against allowing the U.S. Navy to use Anatahan Island for exercises, fearing that the military may introduce the brown tree snake to the island. “They [Fish and Wildlife] think that the Navy may introduce the brown tree snake into Anatahan. They think that the Navy and the Marine Corps are the culprits behind the entry of brown tree snakes into the Commonwealth. They wrote to us that they’re going to hold us responsible for any brown tree snake found on Anatahan because we gave the Navy permission to conduct limited training exercises [on the island],” MPLA commissioner Henry S. Hofschneider said.

MAY 29, 2002

FERRY SERVICES MAY RESUME FRIDAY

Ferry services between Saipan and Tinian may resume on Friday as negotiations in Hong Kong between the Tinian Shipping and Transportation, Inc. and its creditor move forward. This was learned from Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino Hotel General Manager Tom Liu, quoting updates on the negotiations between Tinian Shipping and Hong Kong-based World Fame Shipping.

US GRANTS EYED TO HELP TINIAN FERRY

As part of long-term solutions for the financial problems besetting the Tinian Shipping and Transport, the CNMI government is now exploring ways for the ailing firm to receive federal grants to subsidize its operations. Senate President Paul A. Manglona disclosed this, soon after a meeting yesterday with Gov. Juan N. Babauta, who has expressed concern over the matter.