This is the new definition of NMD in the constitutional amendment proposed by House Legislative Initiative 17-3, the subject of a public hearing last night at the multi-purpose center in Susupe.
Vice Speaker Felicidad T. Ogumoro, who introduced H.L.I. 17-3, said if the current 25 percent blood requirement of the CNMI Constitution’s Article 12 remains unchanged, many members of the present generation will lose their right to own the lands that their parents or grandparents want them to inherit.
Section 1 of Article 12 states that “The acquisition of permanent and long-term interests in real property within the commonwealth shall be restricted to persons of Northern Marianas descent.”
H.L.I. 17-3 will make this restriction “perpetual.”
Ogumoro, Covenant-Saipan, at the same time urged the people to attend public hearings so the lawmakers can hear from them.
She said members of the public should “provide inputs” to lawmakers regarding pending legislation.
A legislative initiative is a proposal to amend the CNMI Constitution.
It must be passed by the affirmative vote of three-fourths of the members of each legislative house present and voting.
It will then be placed on the ballot and will be ratified if approved by a majority of the voters.
A legislative initiative doesn’t require the governor’s approval.
