{"id":39522,"date":"2014-06-23T04:00:15","date_gmt":"2014-06-22T18:00:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/?p=39522"},"modified":"2014-06-23T04:00:15","modified_gmt":"2014-06-22T18:00:15","slug":"governor-now-question","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.saipantribune.com\/index.php\/governor-now-question\/","title":{"rendered":"Governor: It\u2019s now a question of \u2018if\u2019, not \u2018when\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

With a delay in the passage of a repeal and re-enact casino bill, an extended temporary restraining order on a Saipan casino license decision, two other lawsuits and referendum petitions beyond the administration\u2019s control, Gov. Eloy S. Inos said the release of retirees\u2019 deferred 25 percent pension checks, among other things, is a matter of \u201cif\u201d not \u201cwhen.\u201d He said timelines are being pushed back.<\/p>\n

\"Concerned<\/a>
Concerned citizen Leila Staffler points to a stack of papers containing the signatures of over 3,000 individuals wanting to place a casino question on the ballot to directly involve voters in deciding whether they want a casino on Saipan or not, during a Senate session on Capital Hill Friday afternoon. (Haidee V. Eugenio)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

He also belied Marianas Stars\u2019 accusation that pension checks to restore retirees\u2019 deferred 25 percent benefits have already been cut prior to a casino license grant.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe shouldn\u2019t be playing games with this kind of stuff,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

When pressed whether the claim of pre-cut deferred pension checks is true, Inos said, \u201cIt\u2019s a lie.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not too sure now if it\u2019s really a question of \u2018when\u2019\u2026it\u2019s still going to be an \u2018if.\u2019 The reason for that is the bill that is supposed to repeal and reenact did not [get placed on calendar]. It has to go back to the committee. And so the committee would have to deliberate, bring it back to the floor and so until you went past that process. I still don\u2019t know if it will ever happen, and so there\u2019s just so many distractions and for many reasons,\u201d he told reporters on Friday.<\/p>\n

These distractions, he said, include those political in nature. He also acknowledged the wish of individuals who want to place the Saipan question on the ballot once again. <\/p>\n

Voters twice rejected Saipan casino before.<\/p>\n

Inos said it\u2019s important that \u201cwe deliberate and debate these issues because a lot of people are looking for these types of assistance,\u201d he said. He was referring to retirees waiting for their deferred 25-percent pension check restored, those waiting payment of interest on retirement contributions that were withdrawn last year and relief from high utility rates. Casino revenues were supposed to be the funding source for all these.<\/p>\n

Leila Staffler, a concerned citizen, addressed senators on Friday afternoon, asking them to offer a floor amendment to the repeal and reenact bill once it comes to the Senate specifically \u201cto allow for the referendum to take its course.\u201d<\/p>\n

Staffler said she\u2019s speaking on behalf of more than 3,000 voters who wanted to have a direct voice on the casino issue in the November elections. She said these voters are concerned that the repeal and reenact bill is proposing \u201ccosmetic changes\u201d while at the same time has the potential to nullify the referendum petition.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd by nullifying these signatures, it would appear that you\u2019re trying to circumvent the referendum process and I hope that is not what\u2019s going to happen,\u201d Staffler told senators.<\/p>\n

Surprised<\/p>\n

The governor said he was surprised to know that Marianas Stars Entertainment Inc. was seeking a TRO on any casino decision. He said he only learned about it when the court already granted the TRO on Thursday. On Friday, that TRO was extended until further notice.<\/p>\n

Inos said the Office of the Attorney General will be responding to Marianas Stars\u2019 claims.<\/p>\n

However, Inos said he is still not sure about the \u201cmotive\u201d for seeking the TRO. He said Marianas Stars may have thought the Lottery Commission was already about to decide on Thursday whether to grant an exclusive license and to whom. <\/p>\n

The Lottery Commission and its consultants are still reviewing the applications of both Marianas Stars and Best Sunshine International Ltd. Both are vying for a license to exclusively develop a minimum $2-billion integrated casino resort on Saipan.<\/p>\n

He reiterated that the minimum $2-billion project is not just a casino, but also an integrated resort.
\nThe governor added that he will be proceeding with a June 30 State of the Commonwealth Address. The Senate, however, has yet to adopt a House joint resolution on a joint legislative session to receive the governor\u2019s SOCA.<\/p>\n

Casino Commission<\/strong><\/p>\n

Meanwhile, Rep. Ray Tebuteb (Ind-Saipan) said last night that the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation\u2019s ad-hoc committee is currently reviewing the governor\u2019s three Saipan appointees to the Casino Commission, which will regulate the casino industry.<\/p>\n

Among the latest developments, he said, is ensuring that all prior results of Senate confirmation hearings and decision on the same nominees should be attached to the ad-hoc committee\u2019s report.<\/p>\n

He cited Casino Commission appointee Alvaro Santos, whose previous re-appointment to the Marianas Public Land Trust board of trustees was rejected by the Senate.<\/p>\n

Tebuteb also said another Casino Commission appointee, former senator Maria Frica Pangelinan, is also serving on the MPLT board.<\/p>\n

\u201cUnder the law, an individual is not supposed to serve on two boards or commissions,\u201d Tebuteb said.<\/p>\n

The ad-hoc committee\u2019s report, once finalized, will be presented to the whole Saipan delegation for action whether to confirm or reject the Casino Commission appointees. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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