By Emmanuel T. Erediano
[email protected]
Variety News Staff
THE Senate on Thursday followed the House of Representatives’ override of several of Gov. David M. Apatang’s line-item vetoes on the revised fiscal year 2026 budget during its session at the Rota Mayor’s Office. The provisions vetoed are now law.
All eight senators present voted for the override, while Sen. Manny Gregory T. Castro was excused.
Before the roll call, Sen. Celina R. Babauta addressed several of the governor’s line-item vetoes. She defended Section 203(d), which requires the Finance secretary to report to the Legislature any government revenue exceeding $200,000. Babauta noted that the governor argued this duplicates the Planning and Budgeting Act, but she said redundancy in transparency is not a flaw; it serves as “a safeguard for the people we represent.” She added that requiring these reports strengthens legislative oversight and provides a check and balance on the other branches.
Babauta recalled that since the 22nd Legislature, she has supported similar reporting provisions, particularly when the CNMI received over half a billion dollars in federal economic recovery funds. At the time, then-Gov. Ralph DLG Torres opposed the proposals, and they “always failed to pass the Senate,” she said. Her position has not changed: the Legislature must be informed in real time when revenues exceed projections.
“So this override that we are about to partake in is not a duplication; it is the Legislature exercising its constitutional authority,” Babauta said.
Regarding Section 602, which prohibits new vacant positions, she noted the governor claimed it violates separation of powers. “It does not,” she said. “The power to appropriate includes the power to limit. This is responsible budgeting, not interference with the administration.”
On Section 603, which imposes a salary cap for executive branch officials, Babauta said the governor objected because it freezes appointed officials’ salaries and requires legislative approval for adjustments. She added, “Our constituents are in an austerity environment. If the executive branch can impose reduced hours and suspend legislative accounts unilaterally, then fiscal constraints certainly justify salary discipline within the executive branch. Salary caps during a fiscal crisis are not punitive; they are prudent.”
Senate Floor Leader Donald Manglona also spoke on the governor’s line-item veto of Section 612, which would provide hazard pay to Department of Public Works’ Solid Waste Management employees on Rota and Tinian. He said the issue has been discussed with officials and employees for the past five years. The governor vetoed the provision, citing a lack of funds. Manglona said Solid Waste Management consistently receives a portion of excise tax revenues; the Legislature only sought to set aside funds for employees, with any remainder used for operations.
On Section 709(e), which provides stipends, airfare, and lodging for inter-island medical patients and escorts, Manglona noted that Health Network Program funds currently cover only airfare. The Legislature requested that funds also cover lodging, transportation, and stipends for patients traveling within the CNMI, similar to the assistance provided to those leaving the islands. The mayors of Rota and Tinian have been covering these costs using local resources.
Regarding Section 711(a), which allows the Department of Public Lands to pay Parks and Recreation Division employees for services on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota using $4.8 million in DPL revenue, Manglona said, “Just as DPL has supported DLNR’s Parks and Recreation Division in maintaining public sites in the past, we are requesting the same support for Rota and Tinian to keep our sites clean, deter vandalism, and aid recovery efforts in partnership with the Marianas Visitors Authority and other agencies.”
Other vetoed FY2026 budget items overridden by the Senate include:
• Section 609. Closes any position that becomes vacant. The governor vetoed it, citing retroactive salary reversals, contract impairment, and potential employee distrust.
• Section 612. Requires Solid Waste Management to pay $179,691 in hazard pay to employees on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.
• Section 703. Allows the CNMI Supreme Court chief justice and Superior Court presiding judge to adjust the Judiciary’s work schedule and operating hours consistent with available funds. The governor vetoed it, noting proportional cuts under the Planning and Budgeting Act.
• Section 704. Provides for the legislative branch budget. The governor vetoed it on the same grounds as Section 703.
Emmanuel “Arnold” Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.
