Department of Finance data showed that the House of Representatives spent $73,839 for travels in CY 2008.
During the same period, the Senate spent $126,323; the Legislative Bureau, $12,892; and the Youth Congress, $4,011.
The total cost for CY 2008 was $217,065, and this included those incurred by different committees.
As of June this year, the House of Representatives had spent $22,954 for its travels and the Senate $33,543.
For calendar year 2008, Rep. Justo S. Quitugua, D-Saipan, topped the list in the House of Representatives, spending $12,391 on travels. As of June this year, he had billed the Department of Finance $5,903 for his travels.
Rep. Ralph DLG. Torres, R-Saipan, ranked second for spending $10,517 during CY 2008 for his travels and $3,499 as of June this year.
Rep. Diego T. Benavente, R-Saipan, ranked third for spending a total of $7,815.
In CY 2005, Quitugua also spent the most on travels — $23,458.
Former Rep. Janet U. Maratita ranked second to Quitugua with $20,462 in travel expenses during the same period.
Former Rep. Benjamin Seman, R-Saipan, ranked third with $14,375.
The following are the travel expenses of former and incumbent House members during the 18-month covered period: former Rep. Crispin Ogo, $1,600; Speaker Arnold I. Palacios, $1,244; former Rep. Martin B. Ada, $57; Rep. Ramon A. Tebuteb, $3,618; Rep. Ray N. Yumul, $4,923; Rep. David M. Apatang, $759; Rep. Stanley T. Torres, $2,686; Rep. Heinz S. Hofschneider, $3,444; Rep. Francisco S. Dela Cruz, $344; Rep. Joseph C. Reyes, $6,251; Rep. Edwin P. Aldan, $1,473; Rep. Christina Marie E. Sablan, $582; Rep. Raymond D. Palacios, $188; Rep. Rosemond B. Santos, $5,881; Rep. Edward T. Salas, $1,503; Rep. Victor B. Hocog, $5,179; Vice Speaker Joseph P. DL Guerrero, $5,112; House Floor Leader Joseph N. Camacho, $3,601.
Senate expenses
The nine-member Senate spent more on travels than the 20-member House of Representatives for the past 18 months through June this year.
Finance data showed the Senate and its committees incurred $159,866 for travels during the period.
Senate Floor Leader Jude Hofschneider, R-Tinian, was the biggest spender in terms of travel — $91,151 from Jan. 2008 through June 2009.
He incurred $66,151 for his travels in CY 2008 and $25,000 during the first half of this calendar year.
He also topped the list in CY 2005-2006 with $59,421 and $65,610 in travel expenses.
Sen. Paterno S. Hocog, R-Saipan, had the second highest travel expenses at $12,599. Senate President Pete P. Reyes, R-Saipan, was third at $9,191.
The Department of Finance said the records do not include subsistence allowance for Rota and Tinian legislators.
