Torres, R-Saipan, told Deputy Attorney General Greg Baka that he wants his name removed from the list of the petition’s supporters.
“This is to request to withdraw my signature from the initiative petition to subject the Legislature to the Open Government Act. After much consideration, I believe that the initiative is unnecessary and would only impede on the legislative process,” the lawmaker told Baka in a letter dated July 14.
Torres was among the first 100 individuals who signed the petition whose main proponent is Rep. Tina Sablan, Ind.-Saipan.
Baka gave Sablan until Monday to gather at least 512 more signatures to meet the basic requirement of a popular initiative.
The CNMI Constitution requires at least 20 percent of registered voters to endorse a popular initiative before it can be placed on the ballot.
Sablan has been gathering signatures for the initiative even before she was elected into public office.
A total of 3,035 voters signed her petition but only 1,898 of them were registered voters.
The Legislature, for its part, has until Aug. 5 to redefine “general election” or call for a special election, Baka said. Otherwise, no initiatives will be included on the Nov. 4, congressional election which is considered a federal election, he said.
Sablan believes lawmakers should be more accountable on how they spend taxpayers’ money.
Concerned citizens who want a more transparent Legislature should contact Sablan at 285-3935 or e-mail [email protected].
