VENDORS at the Liberation grounds are expressing frustration and concern over an additional 10% “tax” on their gross sales, imposed by the 2025 Liberation Day Committee organizers — on top of the $500 to $800 booth fees they already paid.
The vendors are now asking the committee to refund the 10% that was taken from their gross sales during the event.
A vendor who requested anonymity told Variety, “Tax and Revenue is the only agency that can impose a tax. And on top of this 10%, we still have to pay our company’s monthly gross revenue tax too.”
Another vendor added, “It’s a take-it-or-leave-it kinda deal.”
Variety recently obtained a petition letter signed by 15 vendors requesting that the Saipan Mayor’s Office and the Liberation Day Committee return the 10% cut from their sales.
The letter stated:
“We, the undersigned vendors, request that the Office of the Mayor and the 2025 Liberation Carnival Committee review their decision to unfairly, unjustly, and under duress collect 10%.”
The vendors further requested that any planned fee increases be reconsidered:
“We also request that the Mayor’s Office and the Committee place a hold on any increased fees for the coming year. These fees should be based on the size of the crowds that the Committee can attract — not on how much a vendor makes in a given year. The carnival should not be a for-profit event, and there should be no unforeseen or unexpected costs, especially since there is a full year to plan and budget for the next event. We request a meeting, or a refund of the 10%.”
One vendor told Variety that the petition has been sent to the committee, but the group has yet to respond.
Asked for comment regarding the vendors’ concerns, Liberation Day Committee Chairwoman Frances Santos emailed this response:
“I am writing to clarify that I have not received or seen the petition letter referenced in your email. As such, I am unable to provide any comments at this time.”
The Liberation Day Committee is a non-profit organization under the Saipan Mayor’s Office.
Variety also learned that the committee is seeking legal guidance regarding the vendors’ concerns.
For his part, Saipan Mayor Ramon “RB” Camacho said the committee has its own board of directors.
“I have talked to them [the committee] about it and asked them to seriously look into the vendors’ concerns,” Camacho added.
Saipan Local Law 24-4 appropriated $150,000 to the Saipan Mayor’s Office for personnel and operations related to the Liberation Day festivities.
The mayor’s office also received an additional $50,000 from the governor’s office to support the celebration.
