The House of Representatives\u2019 joint committee that is looking into the Torres\u2019 administration\u2019s Building Optimism, Opportunities, and Stability Together Program or BOOST program, has officially moved to the deliberation part of its investigative proceedings.<\/p>\n
This comes soon after the conclusion of Bank of Saipan employee and BOOST Program administrator Karen Kalen\u2019s testimony last Thursday. <\/p>\n
According to co-chair Rep. Celina Babauta (D-Saipan), the joint committee will deliberate on the documents received from the witnesses, including correspondence among all those involved and records of BOOST disbursements, testimonies, and will ultimately forward the case to the proper enforcement agency. <\/p>\n
\u201cI can\u2019t begin to understand why this all happened. This matter will be referred to proper authorities,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
The joint committee\u2014composed of the Ways and Means Committee and the Judiciary and Governmental Operations Committee\u2014mentioned that there will also be an upcoming review of the program by the U.S Inspector General. <\/p>\n
Before the conclusion of the proceedings, committee member Rep. Joel Camacho (R-Saipan) stated that this program was something that could have greatly benefitted the CNMI community. <\/p>\n
\u201cThat was over $15 million of ARPA money that could have even been converted to a stimulus and distributed to our people. I just want to apologize and empathize with all those businesses out there who were honest and diligent in submitting their BOOST packets, only to be sidelined. Hopefully there will be future opportunities for you all that is fair and well put together. To all the BOOST awardees, congratulations but I would highly recommend that you stick to the intended purpose of the funds given. There is so much uncertainty with forthcoming audits and reviews by the Inspector General,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n
Meanwhile, Rep. Leila Staffler (D-Saipan) wants the committee to call in more witnesses, including contractors who were paid through BOOST funds, including Shayne Villanueva, Rob Travilla, Salina Sap, Frank Camacho, Perry Inos Jr., owners of Creatures, Ned Pablo, Joe Mesa, James Petite, and Jesse Ogo. <\/p>\n
\u201cI would like to request that the committee consider bringing in these individuals for more clarity on this program,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
Rep. Tina Sablan (D-Saipan) echoed Staffler\u2019s sentiment adding that she still hopes that the committee will call former Finance secretary David Atalig to testify on his involvement. \u201cHe isn\u2019t off the hook and he certainly still has a lot of questions to answer,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
Vice speaker Rep. BJ Attao (Ind-Saipan) said that because of how the BOOST program was ran, the CNMI has been put in a position that could potentially ruin its standing in terms of federal assistance. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe way the program was ran, it puts the CNMI in a really bad position when it comes to future federal programs. The Inspector General and auditors will be here very soon. The CNMI was given over $2 billion to assist with disasters and the pandemic. But the way we\u2019ve been utilizing these funds, its questionable. This doesn\u2019t look good for the CNMI,\u201d he said. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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