REPORTERS’ NOTEBOOK

As agreed upon, all but one of the legislative members dressed down for the State of the Commonwealth Address. The men showed up in normal session attire—shirt and tie—instead of wearing business suits. The members ditched formal attire this year to show their “solidarity” with the suffering public.

Rep. Stanley T. Torres was the only member to break the dress code.

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As House members were led to their seating assignments, a number of them tried to use a shortcut but were “ushered” the right way by members of the Legislative Bureau staff.

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Like last year, Gov. Benigno R. Fitial began his speech by calling for a moment of silence to honor the 10 Northern Marianas soldiers who have died in the Iraqi war. He recited the names of the four who have been added to the list since his last State of the Commonwealth Address: PFC John Derek Flores, CPL Victor M. Fontanilla, CPL Joe Junior Gogue Charfauros, and Seaman Ana Marie SN. Camacho.

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The governor, toward the end of his speech, made a pointed comment on Tenorio’s work in the nation’s capital. Fitial said, “During the last eight years, we have done a dismal job in Washington in educating members of Congress and their staffs about the Commonwealth—its location, history, and needs. During the past 16 months, representatives of the business community and my administration have met with representatives of more than 45 members of Congress. Time and time again, they were told that these offices (and the members) had never heard of the commonwealth.”

His comment elicited uncomfortable chuckles from the crowd, including Tenorio, who has represented the CNMI in Washington for six of those eight years.

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The governor’s speech took 33 minutes, about half as long as last year’s. Tenorio’s address lasted 31 minutes.

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Unlike in previous State of the Commonwealth Address, not much clapping happened at yesterday’s SOCA. In fact, only two rounds of applause occurred when Gov. Benigno R. Fitial delivered his address.

The first was when Fitial asked the audience to clap for Kumho Asiana executives who attended the ceremony. The last one was when the governor concluded his speech.

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Fitial never mentioned the phrase “Better Times” in his SOCA yesterday. “Better Times” was Fitial and Lt. Gov. Timothy Villagomez’s campaign slogan when they ran for election. The governor mentioned that slogan in his past two SOCAs.

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Many people in the audience expected Gov. Fitial to disclose the administration’s plan about the expected signing by President Bush into law the federalization bill. The governor, however, only mentioned three options.

Many seats were left vacant during yesterday’s event, a stark contrast from the traditionally difficult seating during SOCA events of the past years. Many chairs plastered with “reserved” notices were unoccupied.

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Former Rep. Candido B. Taman sang both the U.S. and CNMI National Anthems, while Fr. Isaac Ayuyu delivered the invocation.

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The Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Hall’s air-conditioning units were on full blast eliciting complaints from some in attendance. Some women covered up with sweaters while others retreated to the warmer parts of the venue, away from the air-conditioning units.

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Taotao Tano president Greg Cruz was present during the SOCA, along with his wife and daughter who gave her dad a hand by filming the proceedings from time to time with a mini cam. Cruz wore a black T-shirt with the local advocacy group’s name on the back.

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For the second year in a row, no food or beverage was served for attendees of the event. [B][I](Agnes E. Donato, Mark Rabago, and Ferdie dela Torre)
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