DOES it have something to do with the number 13? Or clash of political and personal agenda? Or just plain stupidity?
Even from the start—during the inauguration of the 13th Senate on Jan. 14—the senators had already been at odds with each other.
The senators of Rota and Tinian were catapulted to the four official positions, leaving no posts for any of the three senators representing Saipan, the CNMI’s most populous island.
The tension at the inaugural session was further aggravated by a motion not to allow the Saipan senators—specifically former Senate Republican Leader Pete P. Reyes—to deliver their inaugural speeches. One of Reyes’s daughters, Yvette, stood up and cried foul over what she described as an injustice to his father and a disservice to taxpayers like her.
Senate Vice President David Cing, D-Tinian, shouted in anger. While Cing is known for his outbursts, the conduct of the inaugural session left the impression that it was going to be a rough ride for the Senate.
Cing requested for the session to return to order, and lashed at Reyes for excluding Tinian and Rota when he said he wanted his Saipan constituents to hear what he had to say.
Senate President Paul A. Manglona, R-Rota, however, expressed confidence that there would be unity in the 13th Senate.
“This is somewhat a surprise to the general public—they’re not used to this. But here (in the Senate), we are used to debates. But I think after today, I’m confident that the members will see the bigger picture…and work together,” Manglona said right after the inaugural session.
Last week, the promised “unity” was again nowhere in sight, and Manglona’s presidency was for the first time put to test.
Certain senators, including Cing, Reyes, Thomas P. Villagomez, R-Saipan, and Ramon S. Guerrero, American Reform-Saipan, wanted to topple Manglona from the Senate presidency. The coup was foiled when Sen. Juan dela Cruz, D-Tinian, declined the offer to become the new Senate president and decided to stay with the current leadership.
At this time, who would really know what really transpired during those tense days leading to the failed Senate coup?
After what had happened, Guerrero and Reyes pointed fingers to the individual who played “Judas Iscariot”— the disciple of Christ who betrayed him.
If all this bickering would continue, then there would be a lot of things said rather than done at the upper chamber. Will we have more of this in the next three years.
Visiting Ngaremlegui State Gov. John B. Skebong, in an interview during the Senate inaugural session, said the fact that this is the “13th” Legislature should be a warning to the members.
He said, “The number 13 may not be good. They should be very careful. The CNMI should change its Constitution to give more seats to Saipan senators.”
That’s funny. The Los Angeles Police Department had luck with a robbery suspect who couldn’t control himself during a lineup. When the detectives asked each man in the lineup to repeat the words, “Give me all your money or I’ll shoot,” the man shouted, “That’s not what I said!”
Here’s another story. A man was speaking frantically over the phone. “My wife is pregnant and her contractions are only two minutes apart!” he said. “Is this her first child?” the doctor asked. “No!” the man shouted. “This is her husband!”
