Flashback Sept. 1, 1999-2005

[B]Sept. 1, 1999

House approves $60M bond float[/B]

To deal with concerns of potential bond investors, the House of Representatives yesterday recalled from the governor and then amended a measure that will set into motion an ambitious government plan to loan up to $60 million for its infrastructure projects. Rep. Karl T. Reyes, chair of the House Ways and Means Committee and proponent of the bill, said the change would allow the CNMI to issue bonds in one or more series rather than a one-shot deal that is likely to be more costly in the end.

[B]Sen. Manglona facing corruption charges[/B]

An aide of former Tinian Mayor Herman Manglona has been charged at the federal court for allegedly trying to influence and intimidate a grand juror into voting against the indictment of the former municipal chief who is facing corruption charges. Charged by the U.S. Attorney’s Office was James King Manglona, also known as Jose Hofschneider. According to FBI investigation, Hofschneider approached the grand juror last Aug. 25 and offered to “reward” her if she would vote “no” to the indictment of Manglona, who is now a senator representing Tinian.

[B]Sept. 1, 2000

$3-M eyed for retro pay hike[/B]

The Senate will push for guaranteed funding of between $2 million to $3 million for payment of the long-overdue salary increase for government employees under the FY 2001 budget proposal, according to a key member. Sen. Edward U. Maratita, chair of the Fiscal Affairs Committee, expressed dismay that the House of Representatives failed to appropriate money to meet this obligation to about 2,000 former and current employees. The lower house last week approved the proposed spending package amounting to $221.66 million which will oil operations of departments and agencies beginning this October 1 until September 30, 2001.

[B]CPA readies to roll back airport fees[/B]

The Commonwealth Ports Authority Board of Directors will convene on Saturday to act on the request by CNMI signatory carriers to roll back existing passenger departure fees following projections by airline executives that passenger traffic will increase in the next two years. Citing a study carried out by CPA financial consultant Rex I. Palacios, acting Board Chair Roman Tudela mentioned the possibility of a rollback in passenger departure fees from $8 to $5.79 but added that the reduced fees may only be implemented until the end of September.

[B]Sept. 1, 2003

14 okayed bills in limbo[/B]

The 14 bills that the Senate passed in last week’s Thursday session remain in limbo as questions remain as to the legality of the session that was conducted by the four senators comprising the upper chamber’s minority bloc. For the four senators, it’s simple enough. They insist that the session was legal and the bills passed went through appropriate legislative channels and procedures. Therefore, they see no reason why Gov. Juan N. Babauta should not sign them into law.

[B]Six undocumented Filipinos may be allowed to leave Saipan voluntarily
[/B] The six undocumented Filipinos-including a child-who entered Saipan after a monthlong voyage by boat from the Philippines may be allowed to leave the CNMI voluntarily, despite the deportation proceedings earlier leveled against them. The Attorney General’s Office disclosed that it is willing to enter into an agreement with the Filipinos that they be simply excluded-not deported-should they voluntarily leave the Commonwealth before Thursday, September 4.

[B]Sept. 1, 2005

Nabi’s wrath spares NMI[/B]

Tropical storm Nabi intensified into a typhoon and slammed into the CNMI around noon yesterday with 105mph winds but preliminary reports indicate that Saipan escaped widespread destruction, besides some fallen trees, a few damaged homes, and an islandwide power blackout. At least 564 people took refuge at emergency shelters. Inter-island and international flights were cancelled, stranding hundreds of passengers. Weather forecasters expect Nabi to further intensify to near-supertyphoon-strength.