Flashback February 7, 2000-2002

US Senate tackles takeover proposal[/B]

The U.S. Senate is expected to begin deliberation this week on legislation seeking extension of federal immigration laws to the Northern Marianas for possible voting on the floor by members. It is scheduled to resume session Monday afternoon (Washington D.C. time) to begin consideration of S. 1052 which is the bill that will allow automatic federal takeover of the island’s immigration standards. The move came after the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, which has oversight of U.S. insular areas like the CNMI, recommended favorably last November for its passage and was immediately placed on the legislative calendar for voting.
[B] Consortium joins protest against CUC decision[/B]

Another front-runner vying to build a new power plant for Saipan has opposed the decision by the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation to scale back the project as it contested the evaluation conducted by independent experts on various proposals submitted by bidders. The consortium of Tomen, Alsons, Singapore Power and Tan Holdings Corp. joined other bidders in protesting the cancellation of the initial plan on the controversial project, saying CUC should instead allow the construction of the 80-megawatt generation capacity by phases. Noting it board’s action to collapse the original request for proposal (RFP) in favor of a fresh round of bidding, this time for a 60-MW plant, the consortium believed this could set back the entire project and jeopardize the island’s economy.

Cabrera fires Arriola as counsel[/B]

Former Finance Secretary Antonio R. Cabrera decided to strip private lawyer Joey A. Arriola of authority to represent him in the remainder of his corruption case, informing the US District Court yesterday of his intention to seek new counsel. The unexpected turn of events prompted District Judge Alex R. Munson to reset Mr. Cabrera’s sentencing date to Feb. 22, 2001, after the ex-government official requested for a 45-day continuance which the court viewed as unreasonable. During his would-be sentence hearing yesterday, Mr. Cabrera informed the court of his decision not to retain the services of his private counsel, at the astonishment of everyone present, even Mr. Arriola himself. It was not clear why Mr. Cabrera made the move.

The CNMI government and the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation found themselves whining on the same boat. The government may be forced to operate in pitch darkness should power supply is disconnected while CUC may be constrained to shut down power plants once it stopped receiving fuel shipments. Both face the same problems because of shared deficiency—their inability to settle mounting debts, the government to CUC, and the utility corporation to Mobil Oil Marianas. But unlike the government, CUC enjoys the support of businesses and residents who rally behind its decision to disconnect electricity of government offices and departments which persistently failed to settle mounting bills.

Governor imposes stricter cost-cutting measures[/B]

In a bid to cut costs further, Gov. Juan N. Babauta has issued a directive outlining specific steps that would help the administration save an average 10 percent in its operational expenditures. The directive, dated January 31 and addressed to all Executive Branch offices, departments and activity heads, also creates an expenditure control task force that would ensure that cost-cutting goals are met within the next 60 days. Babauta said these measures take effect immediately. “Projected revenues for the current fiscal year are $13.6 million less than budgeted expenses. This has been the case since before the beginning of the calendar year, yet allotments for the second quarter were not adjusted down to address the shortfall,” said Babauta.
[B] New management to take over Payless Supermarket[/B]

The employment of at least 25 Payless Supermarket workers is in limbo until the store’s new management-the owner of San Jose Mart and 99 Cents Supermarket-decides what to do with them. The new management will take over Payless Supermarket beginning Monday, February 11. Town House, Inc. on Tuesday reached an agreement to transfer the Payless Supermarket operations to Yun’s Corporation. Hon Jun Yoon, president of Yun’s Corp., and Kenneth T. Jones, president of Town House, Inc., signed the documents transferring the operations beginning Tuesday.