Without a new budget on Oct. 1, the government will have to shut down its “non-essential” operations.
House Bill 17-215 was passed by a vote of 11 to 8.
Those who voted no were the members of the minority bloc: House Minority Leader Joseph P. Deleon Guerrero, R-Saipan; Reps. Francisco S. Dela Cruz, R-Saipan; Trenton B. Conner, R-Tinian; Ramon A. Tebuteb, R-Saipan; Tony P. Sablan, R-Saipan; Ray N. Yumul, R-Saipan; Teresita A. Santos, Ind.-Rota; and Janet U. Maratita, R-Saipan.
Those who voted yes were the leadership members: Speaker Eli D. Cabrera, R-Saipan; Vice Speaker Felicidad T. Ogumoro, Covenant-Saipan; House Floor Leader George N. Camacho, Ind.-Saipan; Reps. Ramon S. Basa, Covenant-Saipan; Fredrick P. Deleon Guerrero, Ind.-Saipan; Sylvestre I. Iguel, Covenant-Saipan; Ralph S. Demapan, Covenant-Saipan; Raymond D. Palacios, Covenant-Saipan; Joseph M. Palacios, R-Saipan; Froilan C. Tenorio, Covenant-Saipan; and Stanley T. Torres, Ind.-Saipan.
Absent was Rep. Edmund S. Villagomez, Covenant-Saipan.
Deleon Guerrero said although he wanted to see a budget enacted soon, he would have to vote against the bill because of “serious deficiencies” that were not addressed.
Also voting against it were Conner and Santos, who opposed the bill’s provision to tighten the rules in releasing subsistence allowances that their islands’ senators get every month.
Tinian and Rota dominate the Senate.
Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos, who showed up during the session, told reporters that the administration has to prepare for a possible shutdown.
Due to the lack of legislation defining the critical positions to be spared, Gov. Benigno R. Fitial will again do it through an emergency declaration.
Inos said the administration continues to work closely with lawmakers to ensure that once they pass the budget, “we don’t have to go over again and exhaust the maximum period of time to review it.”
There should not be a repeat of the partial government shutdown that happened last year, Inos added.
The current budget allocated a monthly stipend to defray the travel and incidental expenses of Tinian and Rota lawmakers.
This year’s budget bill proposes that such funds “shall not be given in advance or not more than 10 days earlier.”
H.B. 17-215 also requires documentation and reporting on a quarterly basis for all such “reasonable and qualified” expenses.
Failure to provide an accounting of expended public funds “shall result in criminal or civil penalties and legislative sanctions.”
Maratita asked the House leadership: “What is the ulterior motive in putting this language? It is my belief that we should all work together. Stop playing politics.”
Tenorio replied, “There is nothing political about it.”
Tenorio said unlike the Senate, the House did not adopt rules allowing subsistence allowance.
Providing each lawmaker a $5,000 subsistence allowance is illegal “and the Senate is getting away with it,” Tenorio said.
Santos asked: “Who has the authority to determine whether the subsistence allowance is reasonable?”
Conner said the proposed restriction “is like tying my hands behind my back.”
He said members from Tinian and Rota have to travel and stay on Saipan to fulfill their duties as lawmakers.
“I don’t want to fight with anybody but…I hope you understand the impediments that Rota and Tinian lawmakers encounter,” he added.
He noted that Saipan lawmakers are the ones who are usually not seen in their offices.
Ogumoro and Basa said the provision does not remove the subsistence allowance but ensures “accountability” when spending it.
Maratita offered an amendment removing the restriction, but it was defeated by an 8 to 11 vote.
Dela Cruz proposed an amendment to include the Public School System and Northern Marianas College among the agencies that will share the $5 million allotted for utilities payment.
“Education is our priority,” he said.
He asked Basa if PSS and NMC were asked about their utilities before the Ways and Means Committee drafted the budget bill.
Basa, the committee chairman, said they consulted with the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.
Pointing at Basa and raising his voice, Dela Cruz said “it is your job to meet with them,” referring to PSS and NMC.
“Don’t tell me how to do my job,” replied Basa as he pointed at Dela Cruz.
Ogumoro said the funds for PSS and NMC utilities are already embedded in the amounts appropriated for them.
But Deleon Guerrero said it does not show in the budget bill.
