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Review urged in passage of Kannat Tabla bill
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Posted on Apr 25 2008
A lawmaker has urged for the reconsideration of a bill that take money from the Kannat Tabla drainage project to pay land compensation to certain individuals.
Rep. Rosemond B. Santos, from Precinct 5, said the passage of House Local Bill 16-1 was “a reckless and shortsighted redistribution of funds from a critical infrastructure project to what appear to be certain special interest earmarks.”
She said the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation or the House of Representatives should review the passage of the bill. If not, she said, she will formally move to recall the bill pursuant to SNILD rules.
On Monday, the Saipan delegation passed the bill with substantial changes to the original version. The bill, which started as a $38,000 re-appropriation of poker fees to school supplies, ended up redistributing over $500,000 for land compensation to individuals, among whom only one was named.
“I believe the people of the commonwealth deserve far better from their elected representatives. This type of ‘sleight of hand’ legislative activity has no legitimate place in a fair and democratic society,” Santos said.
Under the bill, $250,000 of the Kannat Tabla drainage funds will be re-appropriated for the land compensation of Jose Camacho, who has won a civil suit against the government. About $200,000 will be used to compensate unnamed landowners at Kannat Tabla whose properties had been taken by government.
The balance will be divided among the JROTC Army ball ($8,000), the Oceania Championship Games ($30,000), and the Saipan Fishermen’s Association ($10,000).
Rep. David M. Apatang sponsored the bill.
The measure passed by a vote of 14-5. Those who voted against the bill are Sen. Maria T. Pangelinan and Reps. Stanley Torres, Joseph Reyes, Sablan, and Salas. Rep. Ray Yumul did not vote, and Santos was absent.
