By Emmanuel T. Erediano
emmanuel@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
THE House of Representatives and the Senate will convene on Monday to act on Gov. David M. Apatang’s recommendation to revise the fiscal year 2026 spending measure.
Authored by House Ways and Means Chair Rep. John Paul Sablan, House Bill 24-80 still identifies $179.7 million in gross revenue for fiscal year 2026 but raises the amount available for appropriation to $152.2 million.
In an interview, Sablan said H.B. 24-80 takes into consideration general fund monies expected to be freed up following the execution of the $29 million Marianas Public Land Trust loan, which will be used to cover 75% of the minimum annual payment owed to the NMI Settlement Fund for retirees’ pensions. The revised budget, he added, also projects revenue from construction activity and a potential increase in visitor arrivals once Philippine Airlines begins flights to the CNMI next year.
Sablan said the bill does not impose austerity measures.
The governor’s proposed budget revision dated Oct. 14, 2025, took into account $3.7 million in lapsed funds from the CNMI government, $4.9 million in lapsed funds from the Public School System, and $1 million in net distributable interest income from public land proceeds remitted by the Marianas Public Land Trust.
As updated last month, the revised FY 2026 budget proposal totals $144.3 million. It allocates $7.2 million for group health and life insurance for retirees and active government employees, more than $40 million for the Public School System, and $8.5 million for the Marianas Visitors Authority.
In a separate interview on Wednesday, House Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez said since the legislation is already prepared, he will call a session for Monday. While he is aware that the Senate will also convene that day, he said the sessions are not expected to be held back-to-back because they may occur at different times.
On Wednesday, House members were given the opportunity to co-author the revised FY 2026 budget bill. Villagomez said he will formally call the session once the bill is pre-filed. The measure is currently being circulated to House members who wish to co-sponsor it and must still meet the 70-hour notice requirement before it can be placed on the session agenda for action.
Senate President Karl King-Nabors, in a memorandum issued Monday, called for a Senate session at 1:30 p.m. in the Senate chamber.
Public Law 24-14, the FY 2026 spending measure signed by the governor on Sept. 30, 2025, appropriates $127 million for fiscal year 2026.
Emmanuel “Arnold” Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.
