Speaker Froilan C. Tenorio, Covenant-Saipan, said the House of Representatives will act on a budget for fiscal year 2010 within the next 30 days to address the cash-strapped government’s mounting deficit.
Tenorio, a former governor, said he takes his new role as speaker very seriously and will make sure that the House will take the time to diligently pass sound measures.
“Within the next 30 days, we will enact a balanced budget for the current fiscal year,” he said during yesterday’s inaugural session.
The CNMI government continues to operate under the continuing budget resolution of $148.5 million in the absence of a new general appropriation measure for the current fiscal year.
The administration’s budget proposal amounts to $150.5 million, and includes the resumption of austerity Fridays — government offices will shut down every other Friday to save 10 percent in personnel expenses.
Rep. Stanley T. Torres, Ind.-Saipan and now the most senior House member, acted as speaker pro tempore before Tenorio’s election as speaker.
Rep. George N. Camacho, Ind.-Saipan, was named floor leader.
Rep. Diego T. Benavente, R-Saipan, is the new minority leader.
There are nine Republicans in the House, seven members of the ruling Covenant Party, and four independents.
The independents aligned with the Covenant Party to form the new majority bloc in the House.
Palau President Johnson Toribiong, Gov. Benigno R. Fitial, Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos, Guam Gov. Felix P. Camacho, Guam first lady Joann, Office of Insular Affairs Director Nik Pula, Philippine Consul General Medardo C. Macaraig, Japanese Consul Tsutomo Higuchi were among the dignitaries who attended the House inaugural ceremony.
Supreme Court Chief Justice Miguel S. Demapan administered the oath-taking ceremony for the 20 members of the House — Tenorio; Vice Speaker Felicidad T. Ogumoro, Covenant-Saipan; Republican Reps. Ramon A. Tebuteb, Ray N. Yumul, Francisco Dela Cruz, Diego T. Benavente, Joseph P. Deleon Guerrero, Antonio P. Sablan, Joseph M. Palacios, and Eli D. Cabrera; Saipan Covenant Reps. Raymond C. Palacios, Rafael S. Demapan, Edmund S. Villagomez, Sylvestre I. Iguel and Ramon S. Basa; Saipan Independent Reps. Stanley T. Torres, Frederick P. Deleon Guerrero and George N. Camacho; Tinian Republican Trenton B. Conner; and Rota Independent Teresita A. Santos.
17th Senate
U.S. Interior Assistant Secretary for Insular Areas Anthony M. Babauta was the guest of honor of the Senate which separately held its oath-taking ceremony in its chamber.
The nine senators were sworn in by Superior Court Presiding Judge Robert Naraja.
They are Pete P. Reyes, R-Saipan; Ralph DLG. Torres, R-Saipan; Luis P. Crisostimo, D-Saipan; Jude U. Hofschneider, R-Tinian; Francisco Q. Cruz, R-Tinian; Henry H. San Nicolas, Covenant-Tinian; Paul A. Manglona, Ind.-Rota; Juan M. Ayuyu, Ind.-Rota; and Jovita M. Taimanao, Ind.-Rota.
Manglona is the new Senate president.
He was also the Senate president from 1998 to 2004.
Hofschneider is the new Senate vice president while Reyes will be the floor leader.
In the previous Senate, Hofshchneider served as floor leader while Reyes was the president.
The CNMI’s longest serving lawmaker, Manglona expressed confidence that the CNMI can overcome its economic challenges with the concerted efforts of its leaders and the public.
“I am confident that with the concerted and collaborative efforts of our local leaders, combined with the public’s continued patience and support, the CNMI will prevail in addressing and overcoming the daunting challenges we currently face,” he said.
“As an optimist, I firmly believe that difficult times should be viewed as a prerequisite to success. As such, let us accept these challenges now and move forward in unison with our shared commitment and goal of improving the lives of everyone who calls the CNMI home,” he added.
So that the next CNMI elections will coincide with the national polls, each House member will serve a term of three years and senators will serve for five years.
