SENATOR David M. Cing will not vote for the passage of a bill that seeks to compensate citizens whose lands were taken for public use unless he gets complete information on who would benefit from the measure.
Cing recently requested the Marianas Public Lands Authority to provide his office with the names of the persons who are expecting compensation once H.B. 13-1 introduced by House Floor Leader Jesus T. Attao, R-Saipan, becomes law.
“You may be aware that the…bill is pending Senate action. This bill as currently written, fails to address serious concerns…regarding to whom the borrowed funds shall be paid, based on what priority, procedure (and) criteria,” Cing told MPLA Commissioner Bertha C. Leon Guerrero in a June 28 letter.
Cing, D-Tinian, also asked the agency to provide his office information on what manner, priority and amount would the beneficiaries be paid and if there are assurances that landowners entitled to compensation “will be fully compensated.” He also inquired if the bill would “cover all claims” against the government.
The senator claimed that the bill was a result of the government’s “serious neglect.”
