Speaker Eli D. Cabrera, Reps. Joseph M. Palacios and Stanley T. Torres told Variety in separate interviews yesterday that there are farmers and other residents who own land in Marpi.
All the “noise” about this issue came from those opposed to the erection of power poles, but nothing was heard from landowners who would benefit from it, said the lawmakers who are all aligned with the pro-administration coalition in the Legislature.
Cabrera, R-Saipan, said he wants to be neutral and that is why it is important to hear both sides.
“We hear those who oppose, we should also hear those who support [the power poles],” he said.
He likened the Marpi issue to the proposal to lift the ban on net fishing. The people who have spoken so far are those how are against it and nothing was heard from local families who have been relying on ocean resources for their livelihood, the speaker said.
Torres, Ind.-Saipan, said he knew Govendo was going to decide in favor of the Friends of Marpi.
The judge, whom Torres described as an “environmentalist,” sounded “hostile” to government lawyers during Friday’s hearing, the lawmaker added.
“After listening to him during the hearing I had a gut feeling he was not going to judge against the Friends of Marpi. His tone toward government lawyers was hostile,” Torres said.
He said Govendo should have recused himself from the case.
The lawmaker said he supported the cause of the Friends of Marpi, but after visiting the area and inspecting the power poles, “I don’t see anything wrong with them.”
He reiterated that the poles in the area could be painted green “to blend with nature.”
He also suggested a plant, which he owns, that can crawl up and cover the poles.
Palacios, R-Saipan, said Govendo made a hasty decision despite hearing only one side of the issue.
There are many locals who own land in Marpi but they were not given the chance to come out and express their support for the installation of power poles, he added.
He said he knows it’s a good idea to put the power lines underground, “but we all know that it’s going to be more costly than the poles.”
He also noticed that none of the locals publicly stated that they need the power for their property.
