Senate Local Bill 16-4 is now Rota Local Law 16-4 or the Rota Acting Mayor and Municipal Council Acting Chairperson Act of 2008.
Sen. Paterno Hocog, R-Saipan, said before his bill was signed into law by Gov. Benigno R. Fitial, the mayor of Rota had the authority to appoint whomever he deemed fit to serve as the acting mayor when he was off-island.
But Hocog said the Rota delegation feels the mayoral position should be delegated to the chairman of the municipal council or another council member if the chairman is not around.
“Whenever the mayor of Rota is to be physically absent from the first senatorial district, the chairperson of the Rota Municipal Council shall be acting mayor. If the chairperson is also absent, then the vice chairperson shall be acting mayor,” the new law states.
If both are not present, then the remaining council member will be the acting mayor.
