Gov. Arnold I. Palacios speaks during a press conference at his office on Capital Hill, Thursday.
GOVERNOR Arnold I. Palacios, who assumed office in January 2023, will deliver his first State of the Commonwealth Address in May 2025.
In a press conference on Thursday, he said he and the Legislature will have to agree on the exact date, time and venue.
The Senate, during its session on Rota on Feb. 28, 2025, unanimously adopted Senate Joint Resolution 24-2, calling for a joint session to receive the governor’s SOCA. The joint resolution is included in the order of business of the House session set for Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at 10 a.m.
The last SOCA was delivered by former Gov. Ralph DLG Torres on Aug. 24, 2018, two months before Saipan and Tinian were hit by Super Typhoon Yutu.
According to S.J.R. 24-2, which was co-authored by Senate President James C. Mendiola and other members of the Senate leadership, “The people of the Commonwealth deserve to know what direction the governor is taking to address our diminished general fund revenues; and what are the plans to restore our tourism and travel industry to pre-pandemic numbers so that businesses can thrive and the government can provide the basic public services to our people.”
“Our residents are suffering and leaving the Commonwealth for better opportunities,” the resolution added.
S.J.R. 24-2 cited Section 9(b) of the CNMI Constitution’s Article III, which states:
“The governor shall report at least annually to the legislature regarding the affairs of the Commonwealth and new measures that are necessary or desirable. The report shall include a comprehensive annual financial report prepared in accordance with generally accepted governmental accounting principles.”
