He cited the constitutional provision that “clearly says any lawsuit should be done by the attorney general.”
All the senators during their last session expressed support for Senate Resolution 17-52, authorizing the Senate legal counsel to represent the Senate in a legal action once the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation attempt to legalize gambling on Saipan through local law.
Such an attempt will “subvert the CNMI Constitution,” the resolution stated.
On July 18, 1985, the resolution added, Constitutional Convention delegates debated a proposed amendment giving legislative delegations the authority to legalize gambling in their respective senatorial districts by passing a local law.
The proposed amendment passed by the convention and ratified by the people stated that gambling could only be legalized by commonwealth law or through an initiative.
An initiative petition that proposes a local law must be signed by at least 20 percent of the persons from the senatorial district who are qualified to vote.
It will be enacted if approved by two-thirds of the persons from the senatorial district who are qualified to vote.
Rep. Joseph M. Palacios, R-Saipan, has said that the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation will file a certified question with the Supreme Court so the Senate will no longer challenge the local bill that will legalize casinos on Saipan.
Palacios said the move was recommended by the Senate.
In 1979 and 2007, Saipan voters rejected a casino proposal.
