Wiseman ordered Palacios, Covenant-Saipan, to continue with his payments.
Attorney Michael A. White, who represents Bank of Saipan, urged the court to impose a jail sentence, forfeit the $250 bail posted by the lawmaker for his bench warrant, and order him to make payments.
White told the court that Palacios had paid $300 only since November last year, despite a judgment by the court for the consolidated civil actions that were already 10 years old.
Palacios, who appeared without a lawyer, told Wiseman that his finances were “really tight.” The lawmaker also told the court about his schedules “due to his job.”
In an interview with reporters after his show cause hearing yesterday afternoon, Palacios said he is receiving $1,500 biweekly, and his take home pay after deductions is $212, or $424 monthly, from which he had to subtract $350 for his apartment rent, leaving him with $74.
Palacios said some of his constituents also approach him for assistance.
White said Palacios “is capable of payment.”
Palacios said he voluntary surrendered on Wednesday and asked that a bail hearing be scheduled upon learning that a bench warrant was issued against him.
He said he was never arrested as reported by the media on Wednesday.
Palacios told the court that he thought that his schedule was for yesterday, Dec. 29, and that’s the reason why he failed to appear for his Dec. 22, 2011 show cause hearing before Wiseman.
“I am very thankful. What a relief. I still have a job [to fulfill],” Palacios told reporters, referring to Wiseman’s decision not to impose any sanctions.
“I ask my constituents for their patience. I will not stop performing my job which is to serve them. I will focus on my job for the remaining time of my term,” Palacios said.
The lawmaker said the “ice” trafficking charges filed against him were “holding him back.”
“I am sorry for my constituents,” said Palacios.
