A GROUP of vendors is challenging the Liberation Day Committee’s authority to deduct 10% from their gross sales at the carnival grounds.
Before setting up at the event, vendors were asked to sign a contract with the LDC that included a 10% vendor sales “tax.” The committee later clarified that the deduction is not a tax, but a vendor fee.
On Aug. 19, 2025, the LDC, accompanied by its attorney Janet King, met with vendors at the Saipan Mayor’s Office conference room to address concerns.
The group, led by Ben Ki operator Marianne Teregeyo, said she signed the contract without realizing that the committee — not the mayor’s office — would control the disposition of the collected funds.
“I knew about the 10% and understood that part,” said Teregeyo, a former secretary of the Department of Public Lands. “Where it went wrong was learning that the committee was making decisions about the collected funds. The committee had its own bank account and was solely deciding how to use the money — not the mayor, not the mayor’s office, but the committee, a nonprofit organization.”
Drawing on her experience in public land management, Teregeyo argued that it was “unconstitutional” and “not allowable” for the LDC to collect the 10%.
“The legal question is: Does the Liberation Day Committee have the authority to collect 10% from sales revenue generated on public land? No. Do they have permission from Public Lands to do so? No. Did they notify Public Lands that they would collect 10% on top of the regular fee? No,” she said.
Teregeyo acknowledged that the committee may collect fees to offset logistical costs but said it cannot retain excess funds. “If you’re not returning the 10% to us, then it should go to the Marianas Public Land Trust. Even DPL cannot retain excess funds at the end of the day.”
Other vendors echoed frustrations over poor communication and logistical disorganization.
“This is the most disorganized committee I’ve worked with,” said one vendor, citing the lack of a designated contact person for on-site issues. Vendors also complained about delayed token booth openings, inconsistent power supply, discourteous event staff, parking issues, and insufficient entertainment.
They are now calling for a full accounting of all funds received and spent by the LDC during the Liberation Day festivities. They also requested that a vendor representative be included in future committee planning to better reflect vendor concerns.
The LDC is a legally registered, independent nonprofit organization incorporated in the CNMI. It is governed by a volunteer board and operates separately from the Saipan Mayor’s Office.
According to the committee, total gross sales collected from the carnival grounds amounted to $260,326, with $26,032 representing the 10% vendor deduction. The committee said it also paid BGRT on the total amount.
Saipan Local Law 24-4 appropriated $150,000 to the Mayor’s Office for personnel and operations related to the Liberation Day festivities. An additional $50,000 was provided by the governor’s office. The LDC stated, however, that it only received $50,000 in support.
Ben Ki operator Marianne Teregeyo gestures as she speaks at the meeting with Liberation Day Committee members on Aug. 19, 2025.
The Liberation Day Committee with their attorney Janet King, standing, and vendors meet in the Saipan Mayor’s Office conference room on Aug. 19, 2025.
