By a vote of 15 to 3, Senate Bill 17-45, authored by Sen. Jovita M. Taimanao, Ind.-Rota, now heads to the governor’s office.
Taimanao believes that under the current quarterly payment of taxes, it is getting difficult for the Department of Finance to pay government obligations, including payroll.
Once S.B. 17-45 becomes law, the monthly returns will be filed and taxes be paid on or before the last day of the month following the close of each month.
The dates for paying the taxes will be on or before Feb. 28, March 31, April 30, May 31, June 30, July 31, Aug. 31, Sept. 30, Oct. 31, Nov. 30, Dec. 31 and Jan. 31.
Rep. Frank S. Dela Cruz, R-Saipan, asked why there was no committee report and no public hearing held.
He urged the House leadership to hear comments from government entities like Revenue and Taxation as well as other community groups and individuals who may have their own concerns.
He wanted the bill referred to the Ways and Means Committee first before they acted on it.
Like Dela Cruz, many other House members were also surprised to learn that no committee report was prepared, yet they were already asked to vote on S.B. 17-45.
Rep. Ramon S. Basa, Covenant-Saipan and Ways and Means chair, shared the same concern. He also doubts if shifting tax payments from quarterly to monthly will help address the government’s cash-flow problems.
But Rep. Edmund S. Villagomez, Covenant-Saipan, said the Senate was able to hear from the community about the proposal.
He said he attended the Senate’s meeting with businesses led by Saipan Chamber of Commerce executive director Kyle Calabrese who supported the idea.
Vice Speaker Felicidad T. Ogumoro, Covenant-Saipan, also expressed support for the bill stressing the need to address the government’s cash-flow problems.
Reps. Trenton B. Connor, R-Tinian, and Fredrick P. Deleon Guerrero, Ind.-Saipan, expressed support but they wanted it referred to committee “for more inputs.”
House Minority Leader Diego T. Benavente, R-Saipan, said he had no problem referring the bill to the committee but he was also ready to vote on it.
Dela Cruz, Basa and Rep. Ray N. Yumul, R-Saipan, voted no to the bill.
Those who voted yes were Speaker Eli C. Cabrera, R-Saipan; Ogumoro; House Floor Leader George N. Camacho, Ind.-Saipan; Reps. Froilan C. Tenorio, Covenant-Saipan; Fredrick P. Deleon Guerrero; Conner;Villagomez; Ralph S. Demapan, Covenant-Saipan; Sylvestre I. Iguel, Covenant-Saipan; Raymond D. Palacios, Covenant-Saipan; Joseph M. Palacios, R-Saipan; Tony P. Sablan, R-Saipan; and Teresista A. Santos, Ind.-Rota.
Reps. Joseph P. Deleon Guerrero, R-Saipa, and Ramon A. Tebuteb, R-Saipan, were absent.
