By Nazario Rodriguez Jr.
Horizon news staff

The House of Delegates has adopted a resolution giving the power and authority to the Vice Speaker to serve as its Contracting Officer during last Tuesday’s (Jan. 9) opening of the Eight Regular Session of the Olbiil Era Kelulau.
House Speaker Augustine Mesebeluu, who introduced Resolution No. 7-12-8, believes that to satisfactorily meet all the needs of the HOD, there must be delegation of authority, and that "the Speaker has many duties and responsibilities.
Mesebeluu also noted in his resolution that the Speaker often times spends valuable time dealing with his duties as contracting officer.
He said that this could be cumbersome or tedious.
Mesebeluu said that the Vice Speaker has the capability to serve as the contracting officer for the HOD.
The resolution stated that "the Speaker would like to specifically delegate this authority to the Vice Speaker, hence, it is necessary to update the Rules of Procedure, Rule2(B), to properly reflect the new role of the Vice Speaker."