Manglona, who, like Tenorio, is a supporter of Gov. Benigno R. Fitial, is hoping that the speaker sets aside “politics.”
“I really don’t have any problem. I committed on inauguration day that if he wants to work, we should work. The point is just because one member is upset with another member, we cannot work together anymore,” said Manglona, Ind.-Rota.
“He’s just one of 20 members,” he added, referring to the speaker. “We need to stay above (our emotions). The other House members have expressed willingness to work with us. Like the majority of the senators, they know that we have a big task. These are big challenges. I just hope we can all set this politics aside.”
The CNMI’s longest serving lawmaker, Manglona noted that Tenorio is a former senator, Washington representative and governor.
“The speaker is a long time politician just like me. So we should be callous to criticisms. I think we were given by our people this privilege to serve because they believed in our ability to lead. So we shouldn’t worry too much about personality clashes. I think the speaker should change his agenda. It appears he has only two — control the LB and pass the casino bill,” he added.
The current LB director, Glenna S.P. Reyes, is the wife of Senate Floor Leader Pete P. Reyes, R-Saipan.
The Senate, moreover, is dominated by members from Tinian and Rota, both of which have legalized casino gaming and are opposed to Saipan having its own casino.
Tenorio, for his part, said his office is the people’s office and that he is merely trying to address the government’s financial crisis.
