Less than 40 people showed up at the multi-purpose center in Susupe for the public hearing on House Legislative Initiative 17-3, which was introduced by Vice Speaker Felicidad T. Ogumoro, Covenant-Saipan.
Former lawmakers, local businessmen, government officials and indigenous people advocates were among those who showed up for the public hearing which started at exactly 6 p.m.
Under Article 12 only persons of Northern Marianas descent can buy or own lands in the CNMI.
In an interview following the hearing, Rep. Teresita A. Santos, Ind.-Rota, noted the “overwhelming” support for Ogumoro’s proposal which will reduce the Chamorro or Carolinian blood requirement from 25 to 1 percent before one can be considered a person of Northern Marianas descent.
The common concern is that nobody wants to see the NMDs lose their land, Santos said, referring to the testimonies heard on Tuesday evening.
Santos expects the Legislature to pass H.L.I. 17-3, which is likely to be placed on the ballot in the 2012 elections.
Not bad
Article 12, according to those who want it retained, is not bad for the CNMI economy.
“We know that Article 12 is an emotional issue because owning land is not just about money. The land binds the people together and gives them their own identify,” Deputy Labor Secretary Jacinta M. Kaipat said in her testimony.
She said it’s not right to say that Article 12 is the reason behind the CNMI’s struggling economy. “There were times in the past that our economy was booming and nobody complained about Article 12,” she added.
Kaipat said she wants Article 12 retained but with some changes to the blood lineage provision.
As long as one can trace NMD lineage, he or she should be allowed to own land in the CNMI, she added.
Former Speaker Pedro R. Deleon Guerrero also wants Article 12 retained, saying he does not believe selling lands is economically viable.
He also said that many investors have been staying in the islands for many years but have never asked for Article 12’s repeal.
Sixto K. Igisomar, the Retirement Fund chairman, said he agrees with Ogumoro’s proposal but wants to see more research about the issue.
Saipan resident Betsy Cruz said she supports the proposal but there should be more public education about it.
She noted that many NMD’s who are off-island will return to the CNMI.
“Let us not keep accommodating non-NMD’s while forgetting the needs of the NMD’s,” she said.
Dave Sablan, who favors the repeal of Article 12, spoke to the panel for two minutes before handing a written testimony to the members.
He said it is a compilation of various opinions regarding the issue.
The Covenant allows the CNMI to revisit Article 12 next year.
