Candidates say no to ‘dirty politics’
Tuesday, 14 April 2009 00:00 By Gemma Q. Casas - Variety News Staff
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MORE than a dozen billboards and other campaign materials of the Independent gubernatorial team of former Sen. Juan T. Guerrero and running mate House Floor Leader Joseph N. Camacho were vandalized, prompting them to join the other teams’ campaign against “dirty politics.”
“We say no to dirty politics,” Guerrero told the Variety in a phone interview yesterday upon learning that their billboard near the 99 Cents Supermarket in Garapan was torn in half.
“We should respect the law,” he said.
The two GOP gubernatorial hopefuls — Rep. Heinz S. Hofschneider and running mate Speaker Arnold I. Palacios, and the ticket of former Gov. Juan N. Babauta and Board of Education member Galvin S. Deleon Guerrero —learned on Saturday that their campaign billboards in different locations near the Saipan airport and Garapan were vandalized.
The two camps, in separate statements, called on the public to support a clean and honest election campaign.
Former Senator Guerrero said vandalism isn’t limited to the GOP candidates’ campaign materials.
So far, he said, their team has lost at least 12 billboards due to vandalism.
“It is costing us a lot of money,” he said and noted that a 4x4 billboard costs around $75 a piece if printed locally.
The former lawmaker said they are going to meet with the GOP officials to address the issue of vandalism.
“We want to sit down and have a dialogue with them on this issue,” he said.
http://www.mvarietynews.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=16117:candidates-say-no-to-dirty-politics&catid=1:local-news&Itemid=2
Monday, April 13, 2009
Friday, March 21, 2008
Letter to the Editor: To Rep.Ray Yumul
CIVIL SERVICE STATUS
THE conversion of the Legislative Bureau employees employment to civil service status is a noble cause especially in these economic times and uncertainties. We hope that the same noble cause can be extended to all other government and autonomous government employees across the board for no one has to live in fear daily of losing a job, especially with a situation not of their creation. A vast majority of our government employees, whether they are on contract or permanent status, have families and obligations to fulfill daily and monthly.
This is a critical and sensitive issue warranting a priority in consideration for all other government and autonomous employees and it must be taken into account before anyone is released from a job.
We believe that the clause in an employment contract stating that an employee can be terminated with or without cause by an employer, is not only barbaric, but unjust and oppressive and should be removed or stricken out from pre-employment contracts and existing employment contracts.
Again, we stress that an employee’s livelihood should be given due consideration and taken into account, especially if he or she is the HEAD of household.
Therefore, we humbly request that the 16th Legislature, both the House of Representatives and Senate, give full consideration into this matter and grant such consideration across the board for it is only FAIR, JUST and it’s the right thing to do.
“Parehu ha hita todus TAOTAO TANO, Patte parehu mo’na sa taya diferensia kontra otro.”
Taotao Tano
THE conversion of the Legislative Bureau employees employment to civil service status is a noble cause especially in these economic times and uncertainties. We hope that the same noble cause can be extended to all other government and autonomous government employees across the board for no one has to live in fear daily of losing a job, especially with a situation not of their creation. A vast majority of our government employees, whether they are on contract or permanent status, have families and obligations to fulfill daily and monthly.
This is a critical and sensitive issue warranting a priority in consideration for all other government and autonomous employees and it must be taken into account before anyone is released from a job.
We believe that the clause in an employment contract stating that an employee can be terminated with or without cause by an employer, is not only barbaric, but unjust and oppressive and should be removed or stricken out from pre-employment contracts and existing employment contracts.
Again, we stress that an employee’s livelihood should be given due consideration and taken into account, especially if he or she is the HEAD of household.
Therefore, we humbly request that the 16th Legislature, both the House of Representatives and Senate, give full consideration into this matter and grant such consideration across the board for it is only FAIR, JUST and it’s the right thing to do.
“Parehu ha hita todus TAOTAO TANO, Patte parehu mo’na sa taya diferensia kontra otro.”
Taotao Tano
Sunday, February 10, 2008
COMPOSITION OF THE SENATE'S NINE COMMITTEES
SENATE President Pete P. Reyes has announced the composition of the Senate’s nine committees, giving chairmanships to each of the other senators — with the exception of Joseph M. Mendiola and Luis P. Crisostimo.
Senate Vice President Felix T. Mendiola, Covenant-Rota, will chair Rules and Procedures, and Federal Relations and Independent Agencies.
Sens. Paterno S. Hocog, Paul A. Manglona and Jude U. Hofschneider will also chair two committees.
Manglona, R-Rota, heads Health, Education and Welfare Programs as well as Public Utilities, Transportation and Communications.
Hocog, R-Rota, chairs Executive Appointments and Government Investigation which was formerly chaired by Sen. Henry H. San Nicolas, Covenant-Tinian.
San Nicolas will remain a committee member.
Hocog will also chair Judiciary, Government and Law.
Hofschneider, R-Tinian and the new floor leader, will chair Youth Affairs as well as Resources, Economic Development and Programs.
Sen. Maria T. Pangelinan, D-Saipan, heads Fiscal Affairs.
Crisostimo, D-Saipan, who used to be the chairman of PUTC, was named vice chairman of two committees.
Joseph M. Mendiola, Covenant-Tinian and the former Senate president, will be the vice chairman of Fiscal Affairs.
Senate Vice President Felix T. Mendiola, Covenant-Rota, will chair Rules and Procedures, and Federal Relations and Independent Agencies.
Sens. Paterno S. Hocog, Paul A. Manglona and Jude U. Hofschneider will also chair two committees.
Manglona, R-Rota, heads Health, Education and Welfare Programs as well as Public Utilities, Transportation and Communications.
Hocog, R-Rota, chairs Executive Appointments and Government Investigation which was formerly chaired by Sen. Henry H. San Nicolas, Covenant-Tinian.
San Nicolas will remain a committee member.
Hocog will also chair Judiciary, Government and Law.
Hofschneider, R-Tinian and the new floor leader, will chair Youth Affairs as well as Resources, Economic Development and Programs.
Sen. Maria T. Pangelinan, D-Saipan, heads Fiscal Affairs.
Crisostimo, D-Saipan, who used to be the chairman of PUTC, was named vice chairman of two committees.
Joseph M. Mendiola, Covenant-Tinian and the former Senate president, will be the vice chairman of Fiscal Affairs.
Monday, February 4, 2008
Senate, House still deadlocked over LB director
Tuesday February 5, 2008
THE two houses of the Legislature have yet to agree on who to appoint as the new Legislative Bureau director.
The Republican-led House of Representatives wants Ed Tenorio, a former special assistant for management and budget, to replace Jack Omar as LB director.
Sen. Maria T. Pangelinan, D-Saipan, said the Senate leadership wants LB deputy director Glenna Palacios-Reyes for the job which draws an annual salary of $70,000 to $80,000.
A long-time legislative staffer, Palacios-Reyes is the wife of Senate President Pete P. Reyes, Ind.-Saipan.
Section 17 of the CNMI Constitution stated that the LB director “shall be appointed by the joint House and Senate majorities, and shall be free from political harassment and pressure.”
Pangelinan said the Senate majority believes that since Palacios-Reyes is the deputy director she should succeed Omar.
Reyes, in a separate interview said, said due to his relationship to Palacios-Reyes, he is keeping his hands off the matter.
The Senate has designated Pangelinan as its negotiator with the House.
THE two houses of the Legislature have yet to agree on who to appoint as the new Legislative Bureau director.
The Republican-led House of Representatives wants Ed Tenorio, a former special assistant for management and budget, to replace Jack Omar as LB director.
Sen. Maria T. Pangelinan, D-Saipan, said the Senate leadership wants LB deputy director Glenna Palacios-Reyes for the job which draws an annual salary of $70,000 to $80,000.
A long-time legislative staffer, Palacios-Reyes is the wife of Senate President Pete P. Reyes, Ind.-Saipan.
Section 17 of the CNMI Constitution stated that the LB director “shall be appointed by the joint House and Senate majorities, and shall be free from political harassment and pressure.”
Pangelinan said the Senate majority believes that since Palacios-Reyes is the deputy director she should succeed Omar.
Reyes, in a separate interview said, said due to his relationship to Palacios-Reyes, he is keeping his hands off the matter.
The Senate has designated Pangelinan as its negotiator with the House.
Finance announces personal exemption verification program
mv - Tuesday February 5, 2008
AS part of the commonwealth’s tax enforcement effort, the Department of Finance is implementing a personal exemption verification program, a media release said.
The focus of this program will be to require individuals who are claiming an unusually high number of exemptions to justify these exemptions. Taxpayers found to be in violation of regulations are subject to fines and/or penalties.
The Department of Finance would like to remind all employees of the requirement to file a new withholding exemption certificate, Form W-4, should a change in status occur which results in an employee being entitled to less withholding exemptions than previously claimed.
Specifically, Northern Marianas Territorial Income Tax §3402(f)(2)(B) and NMTIT Reg. §31.3402(f)(2)-1(b) requires that the employee furnish the employer a new withholding certificate within 10 days of the change.
Below is a list of examples of a change in status in which an employee must file a new withholding certificate. You should contact your tax advisor for assistance.
(a) death of a spouse or dependent;
(b) the employee is divorced or legally separated from his/her spouse for whom an exemption was claimed;
(c) the employee claims his/her own withholding exemption on a separate certificate from the spouse;
(d) dependent (except a child who is a student or is under 19 years of age) for whom an exemption was claimed begins to receive income in excess of gross income limit for the immediate previous tax year, but is expected to have income exceeding the gross income limit in the current tax year;
(e) you or your spouse stop working a second job;
(f) when the support of a dependent for whom the employee claimed exemption is taken over by someone else, so that the employee no longer expects to furnish more than half the support for the year;
(g) should there be an increase in income that is not subject to withholding such as interest income, dividend income, capital gains, self-employment income or IRA distribution.
Willful failure to supply information required by NMTIT §3402 that would require an increase in NMTIT §3402 withholdings, or willful furnishing of false or fraudulent information, is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, or up to one year of imprisonment or both. This penalty is in addition to any other penalty. NMTIT §7205(a).
As part of the new withholding verification program, the Division of Revenue and Taxation will initiate a review of withholding exemption certificate and would impose the applicable penalty on those found willfully furnishing false or fraudulent information. Employers are urged to review their payroll records to ensure that the withholding taxes for NMTIT comply with the exemptions claimed on their employees’ W-4 forms.
AS part of the commonwealth’s tax enforcement effort, the Department of Finance is implementing a personal exemption verification program, a media release said.
The focus of this program will be to require individuals who are claiming an unusually high number of exemptions to justify these exemptions. Taxpayers found to be in violation of regulations are subject to fines and/or penalties.
The Department of Finance would like to remind all employees of the requirement to file a new withholding exemption certificate, Form W-4, should a change in status occur which results in an employee being entitled to less withholding exemptions than previously claimed.
Specifically, Northern Marianas Territorial Income Tax §3402(f)(2)(B) and NMTIT Reg. §31.3402(f)(2)-1(b) requires that the employee furnish the employer a new withholding certificate within 10 days of the change.
Below is a list of examples of a change in status in which an employee must file a new withholding certificate. You should contact your tax advisor for assistance.
(a) death of a spouse or dependent;
(b) the employee is divorced or legally separated from his/her spouse for whom an exemption was claimed;
(c) the employee claims his/her own withholding exemption on a separate certificate from the spouse;
(d) dependent (except a child who is a student or is under 19 years of age) for whom an exemption was claimed begins to receive income in excess of gross income limit for the immediate previous tax year, but is expected to have income exceeding the gross income limit in the current tax year;
(e) you or your spouse stop working a second job;
(f) when the support of a dependent for whom the employee claimed exemption is taken over by someone else, so that the employee no longer expects to furnish more than half the support for the year;
(g) should there be an increase in income that is not subject to withholding such as interest income, dividend income, capital gains, self-employment income or IRA distribution.
Willful failure to supply information required by NMTIT §3402 that would require an increase in NMTIT §3402 withholdings, or willful furnishing of false or fraudulent information, is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, or up to one year of imprisonment or both. This penalty is in addition to any other penalty. NMTIT §7205(a).
As part of the new withholding verification program, the Division of Revenue and Taxation will initiate a review of withholding exemption certificate and would impose the applicable penalty on those found willfully furnishing false or fraudulent information. Employers are urged to review their payroll records to ensure that the withholding taxes for NMTIT comply with the exemptions claimed on their employees’ W-4 forms.
Inos: Proposed budget doesn’t fund 3 items
Tuesday February 5, 2008 By Moneth G. Deposa Variety News Staff
Finance Secretary Eloy Inos appears perplexed by the question posed by Rep. Diego T. Benavente, back turned to the camera, during the House budget hearing, Friday, on Capital Hill. Photo by Mark Peñaranda
FINANCE Secretary Eloy Inos on Friday said the administration’s proposed $160.1 million budget for fiscal year 2008 does not fund three items amounting to $12 million.
These are the $3 million projected shortfall in the government’s health insurance program after the amount of claims exceeded the premiums; the 7 percent difference in the government’s employer contribution to the Retirement Fund; and $7 million for government holidays.
The administration proposed an 11 percent Retirement Fund contribution, but lawmakers approved an 18 percent rate. The governor signed the bill “with serious reservations.”
The administration also asked lawmakers to pass a bill suspending the government’s holiday pay.
During Friday’s budget hearing conducted by the House Ways and Means Committee, Inos said lawmakers should be aware of the “financial impact” of having a budget that does not fund certain areas.
This, he said, will bring “chaos” to the CNMI.
“The current issue on the table now is with respect to runoff claims from the old health insurance program where the amount of claims exceeded the premiums,” Inos said. “This is one important area that was not considered in the $160.1 million proposed budget.”
He said the budget they submitted was based on an actuarial study indicating that the government can only afford a Retirement Fund contribution rate of 11 percent.
“Now that we will be required to pay 18 percent, we’ve got to have a source of funds to be able to do it,” Inos said.
The funding for the 14 holidays of the commonwealth — $7 million — is also a concern, he added.
“We anticipated the passage of the non-holiday legislation, which did not happen, so if we continue this current situation, we’re going over the cliff,” Inos said.
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