Arnold I. Palacios
GOVERNOR Arnold I. Palacios, who was sworn in over two years ago, will deliver his first State of the Commonwealth Address on Thursday, May 29, at the Governor Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe.
Senate Joint Resolution 24-4, which calls for a joint session of the Legislature to receive the SOCA, was unanimously adopted by senators on Friday. The House of Representatives is expected to act on the joint resolution during its special session at 3 p.m. today, Thursday, May 15.
Authored by Senate President Dennis James Mendiola and co-sponsored by Senate Vice President Karl King-Nabors, Senate Floor Leader Donald Manglona. Sens. Francisco Q. Cruz, Manny Gregory Castro, Ronnie Calvo and Jude U. Hofschneider, S.J.R. 24-4 states that the SOCA “is now, more than ever, necessary to provide guidance on the governor’s plans to navigate through the current economic crisis that the Commonwealth, businesses and the people have been enduring the past several years.”
According to the joint resolution, “The people of the CNMI deserve to know what direction the governor is taking to address the…government’s diminished general fund revenues; and, what are the plans to restore the Commonwealth’s tourism and travel industry to pre-pandemic numbers so that businesses can thrive and the government can provide the basic public services to the people. Our residents are suffering and leaving the Commonwealth for better opportunities.”
The last SOCA was delivered by former Gov. Ralph DLG Torres on Aug. 24, 2018, two months before Super Typhoon Yutu devasted Saipan and Tinian.
