“What we would like to see is what they are doing that can also be done here consisted with our laws and Constitution,” Barcinas said.
The Saipan delegation will look into how their Guam counterparts conduct “games of chance” during their festivities, he added.
Barcinas is hoping the CNMI Legislature will allow gambling activities during next year’s Liberation festivities.
This year, he said the Attorney General’s Office approved a gaming license but no one applied for it.
So they had to settle with bingo, Barcinas added.
“We wanted more games not only for the kids but for adults as well,” he said.
Barcinas noted that previous Liberation committees failed to submit financial reports regarding the fees paid for conducting gambling activities during the festivities.
The proceeds from gambling should go to where it is intended, he added, referring to a charitable institution.
Barcinas said they were invited by Angel Sablan, Liberation Committee chairman of Guam, to participate at the July 21 parade.
Barcinas said Guam arranged for Castro’s accommodations.
The Saipan delegation, for its part, prepared the banner to be displayed on the vehicle that Castro will use during the parade.
Barcinas said airfare will be the only obligation the Saipan committee will “take care of.”
Their accommodations will be sponsored by Tan Siu Lin Foundation, he added.
“Thanks to Jerry Tan and company for their support in helping the mayor and the Liberation Day Committee,” Barcinas said.
The other Saipan delegation members are Liberation Committee treasurer Terry Camacho and concession committee chairwoman Larissa Flores.
Vinycia Seman, this year’s Liberation Queen committee chairwoman, can’t join due to a prior appointment.
Barcinas said Camacho will travel on her own and the committee will not shoulder any of her expenses.
Barcinas said he and Camacho will be meeting with the Guam Liberation Committee members to discuss and exchange ideas, especially fundraising activities.
“We want to bring more revenue and not depend so much on our legislative leaders to provide us with the funding that we rightfully deserve to run a huge event for the entire commonwealth community,” he said.
Flores will also meet with Guam Liberation Committee members to discuss how to make the Saipan activities “more exciting and enjoyable for our community,” Barcinas said.
He noted that the Legislature failed to appropriate funds for the Liberation Day events this year and last year.
But he said the committee managed to be creative and innovative in locating funds under the mayor’s office.
