Letter to the editor: Taotao Tano, H.B. 15-246 and P.L. 15-94

mv-Friday November 23, 2007

I KNOW I have some explaining to do here, but I am an elected public servant and part of my elected duty is to ensure that I provide such accurate information and I can when going public with my opinions.
First, I am trained to listen, and I accept criticisms as a public servant, and I will engage in any retaliatory mode of public criticism because I know that if I make mistakes, I will humbly accept responsibility and try to correct them. However, I will react and respond to any unreasonable, unjustifiable and unfair accusations, in order to enlighten the truth of the matter and not contribute to misinformation and confusion in the community.
Therefore, let’s clear the record here so the people can get the benefit of accurate public information in order to make some good judgments.
Let me take you, Mr. Guru Cruz, back to Oct. 3, 2007, when you and members of the Taotao Tano were sitting in the House gallery anxiously waiting for us to override the governor’s veto of House Bill 15-246. Like you stated in one of your news articles, when you claimed that it was the Taotao Tano’s insistence that the Legislature overrode the governor’s veto, yes, we all were united on this issue and wanted the override because we all felt it was necessary for the people.
Let me also remind you in case you have forgotten that the House unanimously voted for the override with 16 voted yes and 2 members absent. The Senate then overrode the same veto on Oct. 4, 2007 in Rota with 8 members voting yes and one member absent. Of the 27 members of both houses in the 15th Legislature, 24 voted for the override, and this override included your voice for the people, many CNMI residents, and the rest of the Taotao Tano. If what you said is true that your association represents the voice of the people, then this is a testimony that this override was necessary and was the right thing to do for the people. Please try to keep yourself focused on what and how things transpired, and then decide where you stand. You can’t be in two places at one time.
Furthermore, please note that the current proposed increase in the electric rate by the governor, is the emergency regulation proposed to be implemented by the “Customers Using Candles,” also known as CUC. The governor did not invoke his emergency power like you claimed in your letter. But even so, this proposed emergency regulation is still in violation of Public Law 15-94. But of course, with all the legal scientists in the governor’s office, he will still disagree with us. Then he will continue to publicly profess that he is very much willing to work with the Legislature, like Charles continues to repeat himself. This will be a good definition of your favorite word, DECEPTION.
Mr. Cruz, I firmly believe that the best possible way that we in this poor CNMI can solve some of our problems and move forward toward economic recovery is when we have peace among ourselves and work together in unity and harmony. I want you to know that the newly elected Republicans are trying to do just that. We have a consensus that the hard working Minority Leader Rep. Arnold I. Palacios will be our next speaker for the 16th Legislature. Even the Honorable Rep. Stanley Torres happily consented to this choice. So please try not to disrupt this peaceful process. Please try not to single out people in your praises or accusations because I believe we’re all in this together whether you like or not.
By the way, I wonder why are you guys so obsessed with only the Legislature? Don’t you think everyone is equally responsible in the quest to find solutions to our problems? You are beginning to sound like T.H. & A. the other three Goros, duh. Please quit contributing to the glory of, you know who.
Greg, I don’t know if you realize that you have tremendous leadership potential. You probably won’t believe it but people are talking all over the island about how much potential you have. But they strongly recommended that you learn the Art of Listening to more realistic advice so that you may nourish and nurture your potentials. Try to be more discrete and prudent in your choice of words. You will begin to realize that you are more mature and diplomatic, and by the time the year 2009 kicks in, then you’re good to go. Don’t forget that you are a public figure. See you later. Oops, don’t forget to take the P.I.O. with you.
REP. CANDIDO B. TAMAN
Capital Hill, Saipan

Rotating blackouts are back

mv - Friday November 23, 2007 By Gemma Q. Casas Variety News Staff

SAIPAN residents marked Thanksgiving yesterday with the return of two-hour rotating blackouts because the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. could not produce enough electricity.
CUC said one of its major engines is down and the situation could go on indefinitely if the cash-strapped government fails to come up with enough funds to buy fuel for the power plants.
Anthony Guerrero, CUC’s executive director, said with fuel now going for close to $100 a barrel, the CNMI has to pay even more because of its remote location.
Mobil Oil sells diesel fuel to CUC at $105 per barrel, according to CUC spokeswoman Pamela Mathis.
She said the damaged 7-megawatt engine no. 2 at power plant 1 remains down.
“It hasn’t gotten any better,” she said, adding that it will take several days before the engine is back on line. “We started the load shedding (on Thursday) at 11:30 a.m. It will go on until further notice.”
The next fuel delivery for CUC is scheduled for next week.
Guerrero said although CUC will start charging residential customers higher rates through the emergency regulations implemented on Nov. 2, they won’t be able to get that revenue until next month.
“The revenue from that emergency regulation won’t be realized until the first billing cycle in December. We have another tanker before the end of the month,” he said.
“We’re concerned because between now and the tanker arrival, the revenues from the reduced rates are what’s coming in on our billing process. And as we’ve said before, it’s reduced revenue and so we will be going to the governor and asking him to cover whatever shortfall we have,” he added.
Mobil delivers fuel from Singapore to CUC every 22 days.
Mathis said CUC has notified Finance Secretary Eloy Inos about the situation.
She said the governor is not allowed to reprogram funds for CUC because it is an autonomous agency.
Guerrero said CUC is now awaiting the governor’s decision on its request for fuel subsidies.
“We basically asked for assistance from the governor. As to how the governor will provide that assistance to CUC, whether that will require that he again institute a state of emergency, that will be for the governor and his advisers to decide,” he said.
The load shedding schedule for Saipan is as follows:
• 11:00 – 1:00 Kiya Two - Second Partial of the Grid At the Mobil Gas Station in Koblerville, Afetna, San Antonio, and Chalan Piao.
• 1:00 – 3:00 pm Feeder One – Lateral Streets within Partial of the Grid The Anaks Condos, China Town, DFS (and the street behind DFS) Mariana Heights Business Complex
• 3:00 – 5:00 pm Feeder Two - Second Partial of the Grid Along Beach Road in Garapan from Kristo Rai to Chalan Laulau
• 5:00 – 7:00 pm Kiya Four North Chalan Kanoa (post office and main streets from Saipan Community School)
• 7:00 – 9:00 pm Feeder Four - Second Partial of the Grid Capitol Hill on the 1200 Block, Homestead area, Talafofo, As Teo, Papago and Kagman I, II, III. • 9:00 – 11:00 pm Feeder Seven Lower Base industrial area, north to Tanapag, Achugoa, San Roque, and As Matuis to Marpi.

Emergency blackout hits Saipan

mv-Thursday November 22, 2007 By Gemma Q. Casas Variety News Staff

A POWER outage occurred again for the nth time on island without announcement shortly after 5 p.m. yesterday because one of the engines at the main power plant malfunctioned.
The power went back after an hour in some areas as of press time but it might go on for sometime in Capital Hill area, according to Commonwealth Utilities Corp. spokeswoman Pamela Mathis.
She said the 7-megawatt unit no. 2 at power plant 1 was taken offline because water was leaking into its oil system.
CUC will extend the emergency blackout to areas where there is less traffic if the need arises, she added.
“We’re really trying to maintain power at all traffic lights (for safety reason),” she said.

Outage hits Kagman

st- Nov 21, 2007 By Ferdie de la TorreReporter

Outage hits Kagman
As rain, winds damage power wires, equipment

Kagman experienced an outage yesterday afternoon when the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. conducted repairs on the electrical wires and equipment that were damaged during Monday's strong rain and winds brought by a trade-wind disturbance.CUC linemen turned off the electric power in Kagman after school or at 3pm as they made the repairs.CUC spokesperson Pamela Mathis said electricity will be restored as soon as the lines are clear of danger.Mathis underscored the need to conduct such repairs before major power failures occur.In addition to Monday morning outages in southern Saipan, CUC also fixed damaged equipment in Dandan, Capital Hill, As Matuis, and Koblerville.A number of trees fell on high voltage lines and took the lines down in several locations during the heavy rains.There were isolated minor outages yesterday as CUC field crews made repairs.Mathis issued the following safety measures for the public to observe during heavy rains:- Customers and children should never touch a fallen power line and always call for help. Electricity may still flow through downed lines.- Parents should not allow children to play in wet trees that are anywhere near high voltage lines because the electricity can also flow through wet vegetation.- If power lines fall on vehicles, stay inside the car-never get out until the CUC personnel advises that it's safe.- Any time a home floods or fills with water, unplug all appliances or cords along the floors or baseboards.

Public Law 15-94 deception

st-Wednesday November 21, 2007 Letters to the Editor
Tuesday, November 20, 2007

To the Legislature:It is with such displeasure to inform you-our leaders-that deception in public office is a crime and is not tolerated lightly. We have spent well over five months pursuing what was good for the people of the CNMI and when we achieved it, something went drastically wrong. All of you had the opportunity to review our proposal of rate change on July 2 and 3, which the Senate president accepted as a working document toward H.B. 15-246, a bill to lower the rates introduced and authored by the minority leader Arnold Palacios. In our proposal we specifically requested further amendments be made, especially the removal of Section 18 thru 22 in the original House bill. The reason why we requested such an amendment is due to the fact that there was no Public Utilities Commission in place and the differences between the Executive branch and the legislative body on appointing a board was an issue hindering the process. At this point we do not believe that appointing anyone to the PUC board can be achieved because of the fact that no one in their right mind would dare take on such a responsibility since, in the end, he or she will be blamed for any wrong move. Although it is an honorable appointed position, we believe that one's credibility and integrity can be forever tarnished in the public view given the present situation of CUC. We are also mindful of the current high global fuel prices all over the world but that alone is not a basis as to why the people of the CNMI were deceived and taken advantage off. Furthermore, to you Mr. Arnold Palacios, we feel that you are the primary person responsible for this current situation we are faced now and we must seriously notify you that you have deceived the people of the CNMI, especially the voters. I respectfully urge you to prioritize CUC's shortfall as promised rather than concentrate on your speakership fight with Benavente. Concerning the speakership, we the people feel that none of you are qualified or even deserve to sit on such an honorable position. Therefore we recommend Congressman Stanley Torres to be Speaker of the House for he is a great leader who cares, understands that the people are suffering and he fights for the people. Gentlemen, we urge you to deliver and return what was promised to the people before the election. A home was burned down because of the use of candles and why is such a mishap happening near Christmas And New Year?

Gregorio S. Cruz Jr. President, Taotao Tano CNMI Association, Inc.

Outage hits Kagman

mv- Local Wednesday, November 21, 2007 By Ferdie de la TorreReporter

Kagman experienced an outage yesterday afternoon when the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. conducted repairs on the electrical wires and equipment that were damaged during Monday's strong rain and winds brought by a trade-wind disturbance.CUC linemen turned off the electric power in Kagman after school or at 3pm as they made the repairs.CUC spokesperson Pamela Mathis said electricity will be restored as soon as the lines are clear of danger.Mathis underscored the need to conduct such repairs before major power failures occur.In addition to Monday morning outages in southern Saipan, CUC also fixed damaged equipment in Dandan, Capital Hill, As Matuis, and Koblerville.A number of trees fell on high voltage lines and took the lines down in several locations during the heavy rains.There were isolated minor outages yesterday as CUC field crews made repairs.Mathis issued the following safety measures for the public to observe during heavy rains:- Customers and children should never touch a fallen power line and always call for help. Electricity may still flow through downed lines.- Parents should not allow children to play in wet trees that are anywhere near high voltage lines because the electricity can also flow through wet vegetation.- If power lines fall on vehicles, stay inside the car-never get out until the CUC personnel advises that it's safe.- Any time a home floods or fills with water, unplug all appliances or cords along the floors or baseboards.

Chalan Kanoa house fire an accident CORRECTION "Chalan Laulau"

mv-Monday November 19, 2007

By Cherrie Anne E. Villahermosa
Variety News Staff



A fire that damaged a home in Chalan Laulau on Thursday evening was an accident, according to Department of Public Safety spokeswoman Lei Ogumoro.

She said a candle used to light the kitchen of a house, which had no electricity, was the cause of the fire that damaged the wood and tin structure.

Ogumoro said no one among the nine family members was hurt in the fire on early Thursday evening.

The candle in the kitchen was placed on a cooler and the family members — five adults and four children — were all outside when they saw their kitchen engulfed in flames.

They tried but failed to extinguish the fire.

Because the structure was made of plywood, the fire was able to spread rapidly throughout the house.

But firefighters dispatched to the scene were able to bring the fire under control and secure the area.

DPS said the incident has been classified as an accident.

The owners of the structure are Gregorio and Tricia Mettao.

CUC employee pleads guilty to misconduct

mv-Monday November 19, 2007


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CUC employee pleads guilty to misconduct

By Cherrie Anne E. Villahermosa
Variety News Staff



A COMMONWEALTH Utilities Corp. employee who was charged for stealing money from a customer has pleaded guilty to misconduct in public office.

Manuel Quitano Camacho, 42, appeared for a change of plea hearing on Friday before Associate Judge Kenneth L. Govendo.

Camacho was represented by attorney Brien Sers Nicholas.

Assistant Attorney General Mike Nisperos agreed to dismiss the theft by deception charge with prejudice in exchange for Camacho’s plea.

Govendo accepted the plea and sentenced Camacho to 60 days of imprisonment, all suspended, except for eight hours of time already served.

Camacho was also placed on probation for 18 months.

He will pay a fine of $500, an assessment fee of $25 and a probation fee to be determined by the Office of Adult probation.

Camacho will perform 100 hours of community work service and submit a letter of apology to CUC and to Charles Cepeda.

Camacho’s review hearing was set for March 13, 2008 at 9 a.m.

Camacho was charged for taking $1,622.61 from Cepeda.

According to the Attorney General’s Office, Camacho committed the illegal acts between Dec. 2006 and April 2007 as CUC’s administrative support assistant.

It was Charles Cepeda, general manager of Pacific Trading, who wrote a letter to CUC regarding several power billing transactions with Camacho.

Camacho received over $1,000 from Cepeda but did not forward the money to CUC.

Camacho said he used the money to purchase a new alternator for his truck.

Palacios says new power rates illegal

mv-Monday November 19, 2007


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Palacios says new power rates illegal

By Gemma Q. Casas
Variety News Staff



HOUSE Minority Leader Rep. Arnold I. Palacios says the emergency regulations allowing the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. to again charge higher power rates are “unlawful” as they disregard the existing law that fixes the rate at 17.6 cents per kilowatt hour.

Palacios, R-Saipan, one of the principal authors of House Bill 15-246, which later became Public Law 15-94 on Oct. 4 after the Legislature overrode Gov. Benigno R. Fitial’s veto, said the executive branch has no power to alter what was set in P.L. 15-94 in the absence of a Public Utilities Commission.

“Because the commission has yet to convene, it is not possible for any rate increase to be reviewed and approved in accordance with law. Therefore, CUC has acted beyond its authority, and the notice of Nov. 11 is void,” Palacios wrote the governor on Nov. 16.

“As a result, CUC is now imposing an unlawful charge on residential customers,” he added.

The emergency regulations took effect on Nov. 2 and will last for 120 days. CUC will then adopt them permanently.

CUC is now charging residential customers 25.8 cents for the first 1,000 kwh of energy they consume and 30.2 cents per kwh in excess of that.

The governor said the emergency regulations are allowed by P.L. 15-94 which states that the government can adjust prices of electricity based on the actual cost of imported fuel.

“We’re only complying with the law,” he said in an earlier interview with Variety. “We didn’t create the law. The cost of fuel was allowed by that law to be factored into the rates that we now have. The emergency regulations were also a function of that law that we promulgated.”

But Palacios said the power to adjust electric rates is specifically entrusted to the yet-to-be-formed Public Utilities Commission.

“Simply put, that intent is to require that any future rate changes be approved by a duly formed and convened Public Utilities Commission,” he added.