Rep. Francisco S. Dela Cruz’s House Legislative Initiative 16-2 calls for an elected attorney general. It will be submitted to voters if it is approved by at least three-fourths of the members of each house of the Legislature present and voting.
It will be ratified if it is approved by a majority of the votes cast.
Dela Cruz, Covenant-Saipan, wrote to House Floor Leader Joseph N. Camacho, R-Saipan, informing him about his decision to recall his legislative initiative from the JGO Committee chaired by Rep. Rosemond B. Santos, R-Saipan.
H.L.I. 16-2 was prefiled on Feb. 5 and was discussed in public hearings.
“It has been sitting in the committee long enough,” Dela Cruz said. “It appears that someone does not find it necessary to act after public hearings were made. It appears that maybe some in the committee find this measure unfavorable but nevertheless this is legislation that had been introduced and must be acted on.”
He added, “Again, I as the author, request the immediate recall so that we can place it on the calendar and act on it.”
Under the current law, the governor nominates the attorney general whose appointment is subject to the Senate’s confirmation.
