“I wish I could affix my signature to this legislation. However, consistent with my constitutional obligation, I must regretfully veto [it],” Fitial said in his veto message which he signed before heading to the Philippines for an urgent family matter.
The author of House Local Bill 17-44. Rep. Stanley T. Torres, Ind.-Saipan, declined to comment but a new Saipan casino bill was expected to be pre-filed by Rep. Ralph S. Demapan, Covenant-Saipan.
Fitial said the Legislature may enact a local law pertaining to matters affecting one senatorial district but the legislative delegation of a district cannot enact a commonwealth law affecting commonwealth-wide interests.
He saidH.L.B 17-44 “explicitly proposes a commonwealth law to legalize casino gambling by exempting the third senatorial district [Saipan] from the commonwealth-wide prohibition on gambling.”
“By its terms, and a matter of law, the Saipan Casino Act is commonwealth law,” the governor added.“The prohibition of gambling is commonwealth interest and a district delegation has no authority to enact a commonwealth law by means of a local bill. H.L.B. 17-44 was irregularly introduced and passed without authority and is invalid on this basis.”
Casino supporters, which include the administration, are hoping that this time, the Senate will also pass the new Saipan casino bill.
