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By Jojo Dass Variety News Staff THE DEMOCRATS will support Rep.-elect Benigno R. Fitial (R­ ) for speaker if he would allow them to chair committees in the 12th House of Representa­ tives, House Minority Leader Dino M. Jones (D-Saipan) saio yesterday. Jones admitted that Fitial has asked the Dem9crats to endorse him even after IO of the House Dino M. Jones Benigno R. Fitial Republicans have already ex­ pressed support for Heinz S. Hofshneider (R-Saipan). ("Don) be like that. You son of a if he had come to them for an Asked for a comment, Fitial ~-·") endorsement. cussed at th.is reporter over the Jones declined to state whether "He (Fitial) asked me (for an phone. Fitial has acceded to his party's endorsement) and I said that in "What's the matter, don't you demand, saying only that the ne­ politics, when you give some­ understand English?" Fitial said, gotiation will be finalized when thing, you have to take something referring to his earlier statement the 12th Legislature formally back. It's a two way street," Jones that he cannot be interviewed by opens on Jan. 10. said. the Variety because he works for "The agreement will be con­ "I said, 'What are you going to garment magnate Willie Tan, the summatedon that day," Jones said. offer?' He (Fitial) said he wants owner of . He added that the Democrats to know what we want. The party "Huwag kang ganyan,' tang would have also asked said, 'We want committee chairs. mo," Fitial said in Filipino. Hofschneider something in return Continued on page 26 HANMI:. 'Takeover a done deal'

:! Miss NM/ Miyuki Hill from Saipan celebrates after she was chosen By Haldee V. Eugenio ness sector, particularly hotel op­ j Miss Friendship in the Miss International beauty pageant Tuesday in i Variety News Staff erators, are already suffering Tokyo. She was voted by her peers from a field of 53 contestants. AP II i IT'S A DONE deal. from the regional economic cri­ ~- i~=~-~~-~~~~-~=~ This was what the Hotel As­ sis, an issue compounded by at­ sociation of the Northern tempts to take over local labor Fire hits Mt. Carmel Cathedral (HANMI) had and immigration laws. By Rene P. Acosta fire started at the door leading to to say as it expressed "disap­ .. There's nothing we could do Variety News Staff the tower and climbed its destroy­ pointment" on recent moves to to satisfy their goal of trying to FIRE broke out at the Mt. Cannel ing glass widnows. push for federal takeover of strip the Commonwealth of its Cathedral late yesterday after­ The incident prompted several CNMI labor and immigration sovereign rights ... It's a straight noon, partially destroying the ranking government officials, in­ laws. goal for the federal government. church tower. cluding Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio, to Ron Sablan, HANMI presi­ the present administration to Police said no one one was in­ rush to the site. dent, said despite efforts of the push for takeover regardless of jured in the blaze. Probers arc still The Cathedral is currently cel­ CNMI government and the pri­ Ron Sablan what we do," said Sablan during looking into the cause of the fire, ebrating its 50th founding vate sector against U.S. take­ HANMI's hosting of luncheon officials said. annniversary. The fire occuITed over, federal officials are not causes. for the Saipan Man'amko at the Rev. Fr. Isaac Ayuyu of the on the eve of the start of the tradi­ caving in due to predetennined He pointed out that the busi- Continuedon page 26 Diocese, said the tional Christmas dawn masses. Pay hike freeze to exclude Customs, nurses Dawn ·masses ~t.art today· By Haidee V. Eugenio Under the proposed regulation, The move was triggered by By Haldee V. Eugenio attend the celebration, which be . Variety News Staff the government-wide prohibition Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio's memo­ Variety News Staff held daily, from Dec. 16 to 25. NURSES, midwives and Cus­ on pay increases will be suspended randum in January stating that IT'S THE time of the year again The MisadeGalloat Mt. Carmel toms enforcers will soon be able 10 days after adoption of the rule the government is experiencing when church bells ring in the wee Cathedral starts at 4 a.m. and 6 to receive salary increases way with respect to the Customs class a period of economic difficulty, hours of the morning, as the a.m. ahead of their fellow govern­ series within the Department of which requires financial auster­ people, wearing their holiday best. ..I encourage people to come ment employees upon the ef­ Finance and the nursing class se­ ity measures affecting the Civil rush in to celebrate the Eucharist. together for the mass and prepare fectivity of a new regulation ries and midwi"es within the De­ Service System to be imple­ Today marks the start of the themselves for the birthday of the probably before the year ends, partment of Public Health. mented. nine-day Misa de Gallo, or early Lord and also for the new Millen­ it was learned yesterday. It may be recalled that since Norbert S. Sablan, CSC ex­ morning mass, which is a tradi­ nium. The Holy Father opens The proposed regulation was April this year, the government ecutive director, said in an inter­ tion in Roman Catholic nations as wide the doors for us," !\yuyu submitted to the Common­ suspended all increases in em­ view that the lifting of the pay they prepare for Christmas Day. said yesterday. wealth Registry on Nov. 15 for ployees' .salaries due to perma­ hike increase will only cover Fr. Isaac Ayuyu of Mt. Carmel Bishop Tomas!\. Camacho will a 30-day public comment pe­ nent or temporary promotions, Customs' enforcement person- Cathedral expects the church to preside on the first day's Misa de be .. jampackcd'" this morning. Gallo. Refreshments arc served riod. acting or detail assignments. Continueaon page 26 He called on all individuals to after the mass.

PA_C NE:VvSPA_?ER ST f.CKS ~:::::::;;::;:~=------~~~~~, ' THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1999 - NEWS AND VIEWS-3 ------'------· ···-- 2-MARIANAS VARIETY NEWS AND VIEWS-THURSDAY- DECEMBER 16, 1999 Held in Haw_aii for over 70 years · News Briefs Cyclone hits Australia Gore favors medical marijuana DERRY, N.H. (AP) - Vice President Al Gore said during a Ancient ·remains ret11n1.ed PERTH, Australia (AP) - ··unequivocally" the strongest televised forum Tuesday night that he is open to the idea of letting losing power. THE SKELETAL remains of tinental Airlines. interest and active participation tion of the Hornbostel Collection. HPO is now finalizing plans to Packing wind gusts of up to 185 doctors prescribe marl juana. cyclone to hit Australia since the Telephone service was knocked some 45 ancientChamorros which "The museum staff were very of all the parties involved and The Chamorro remains were reenter the remains. mph. the most powerful cyclone An audience member asked Gore during the WNDS-TV forum government began keeping out in Whim Creek, a community was held storage in Honolulu for helpful and were able to arrange for now, after seven decades, our an­ excavated by. American archae­ According to Guerrero, the skel­ ever recorded in Australia lashed whether states should have the authority to decide whether mari­ records. believed to have about 12 resi­ more than 70years have now been the return of the remains in a very cestors are home," he added. ologist Hans Hornbostel who etons will be reburied at or as near the northwestern coast yesterday. juana can be prescribed for medical uses. "We're looking at winds of al­ dents, 750 miles north of the repatriated to the CNMI, the His­ timely manner. The Hawaii Liai­ A new procedure for the treat­ worked in the islands in the 1920s as practical to the locations from damaging homes, forcing evacu­ most 300 kilometers (185 miles) Western Australia state capital, In response, Gore said his sister died of cancer in 1984 and that her doctor had prescribed marijuana for her. She refused to take it, but I torical Preservation Office (HPO) son Office helped with the logisti­ ment of human remains adopted under the auspices of the Bishop which they were originally exca­ ations and ripping up trees. There an hour and quite frankly, that's Perth. Reports said residents were disclosed yesterday. cal coordination for the shipment by the Historic Preservation Re­ Museum. vated, as reflected in recently were no immediate reports of in­ bloody unbelievable," he said, Gore said, "If it had worked for her, then I think she should have had huddling for shelter in a freight The remains were reportedly of the remains. Continental Air­ view Board (HPRB) has encour­ Hornbostel was the first archae­ adopted procedures. jury. referring to the gusts. The bureau container anchored to the ground the ability to get her pain relieved that way." tr shipped back to the islands early lines generously provided free air aged HPO to expedite action on ologist to administer excavations "With Lhe return of the skeletal Cyclone John, which at its peak declared the cyclone a category­ The Democratic presidential candidate added: "I do not favor with chains and concrete blocks. this month from the Bishop Mu­ transportation from Honolulu to the repatriation of ancient at prehistoric sites on Sai pan. remains, the .next step will be to had sustained winds of 130 mph, five, the most powerful. Cyclone legalizing marijuana. But where you have sufficient controls, I think Storm surges of up to 20 feet seum in Honolulu and is now un­ Saipan," Guerrero said. Chamorro and Carolinian human , and . repatriate the large collection of moved over land near the tiny is the term used for hurricanes in doctors ought to have that option." were expected to cause heavy der HPO's care. Guerrero also lauded the coop­ remains held in museum collec­ His archaeological work gen­ Hornbostel artifacts at the Bishop community of Whim Creek early the Indian Ocean. flooding in sparsely populated Historical Preservation Officer eration of Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio tions around the world. erated a large collection of an­ Museum. yesterday morning, bringing driv­ The storm lost power as it Airlines reducing schedules low-lying coastal regions, the i Joseph P. Deleon Guerrero noted and Resident Rep. Juan N. With HPRB, HPO also adopted cient artifacts and several dozen ''This project will 1-'robably be ing rains and powerful gusts that crossed the coast, and later in the State Emergency Services BOSTON (AP)- Bridget Bomberger doesn't buy the predictions the excellent cooperation and as­ B'abauta, grateful for their sup­ the "Procedures forthe Treatment human skeletons which were later initiated by th>! CNMI Museum caused power outages and drove day it was downgraded to a cat­ warned. Experts said the area of a Y2K global computer meltdown or chaos at the stroke of sistance extended to his office by port in bringing NMI's ancestors of Human Remains," and initi­ shipped to the Bishop Museum of History and Culture, perhaps hundreds of people from their egory-four-still with sustained was likely to have escaped ma­ midnight. Still, she isn't so sure she'd put her confidence to the test the museum in Hawaii, the NMI to their rightful place. ated consultations with1he Bishop where they have been kept in stor­ with assistance from HPO." homes. . winds of 106 mph. By midday, jor damage because the storm by stepping onto an airliner. Hawaii Liaison Office, and Con- "I am very pleased with the Museum to effectuate repatria- age for the longest time. Guerrero said. (MRAM) Bureau of Meteorology fore­ the storm was' heading south­ did not pass over any large com­ "Ifl had to fly because of a family emergency, I would," the 26- caster Bryan Boase said it was southeast at 8 mph and gradually munities. year-old human resources worker said as she ate lunch in downtown Boston. "But I wouldn 'tjustjump on a plane and, say, go to Paris." f A variety of factors - including the reluctance of people like Guardians seek Atalig's ouster PSS: No struggle seen Bomberger to fly on New Year's Eve-has prompted some airlines to reduce their holiday schedules. By Ferdie de la Torre inheritance," the guardians said. But the airlines stress they're not scaling back out of fear that Variety News Staff If that contingent fee deduc­ for 30% retiree bonus computer systems will fail. They say planes still will be in the air as THE GUARDIANS for Larry tion is allocated to other QHC By Marian A. Maraya 1999 gives way to 2000. Hillblom 's two children have filed based upon alleged claims of Variety News Staff a joint motion seeking to recuse entitlement for the quantity or THE PUBLIC School System HK court says it's ordisqualify Special Master Pedro nature of the work performed, (PSS) anticipates no problems in illegal to burn China flag M. Atalig from participation in the guardians · explained, the coming year with regards to the further proceedings involving Feliciano would receive nothing 30' percent retirement bonus for HONG KONG (AP)-Hong Kong's top court ruled Wednesday contingent fee and liquidating trust or a substantially smaller benefit. PSS retirees, PSS Federal Programs it is illegal for protesters to burn the Chinese or Hong Kong flags, issues. This potential consequences Coordinator Bill Matson disclosed. but insisted free speech is not under threat. David Moncrieff and J. Steven disqualifies SM Atalig from any Matson said the only hurdle PSS The Court of Final Appeal was unanimous in reinstating the Grist, guardians for Jellian role in the allocation decision, has to deal with, if any, is the same convictions of two activists who defaced a red Chinese flag to Cuartero and Nguyen Be Lory the guardians said, citing that one recurring technical difficulties ex­ commemorate the Tiananmen Square massacre. Pedro M. Atalig respectively, said because of re­ of Feliciano's attorneys is Anto­ perienced every year. Chief Justice Andrew Li wrote that the flag "represents the cent developments and disclo­ nio Atalig, brother of Pedro "We just have to make sure that People's Republic of China, with her dignity, unity and territorial tor is seeking and it appears the Bill Matson sures SM Atalig is disqualified Atalig. the Retirement Fund lets us know integrity," and is worthy of protection. federal estate tax auditor has previ­ from serving as a judicial officer From the prior court orders, it that the retirees are qualified. But Addressing concerns about free speech, the court said "freedom ously allowed, a deduction of $5 or court appointee in such pro­ appears that Antonio Atalig is we have the resources this year to Rep. Dino M. Jones in a letter to of expression is not absolute," adding that flag desecration is an million to each qualified heirclaim­ ceedings. paid at the rate of 12% of the pay them when we get the certifi­ Education Commissioner Rita H. appropriate area to draw the line to preserve public order. ants for the substantially equiva­ The guardians in court papers recovery allocated to Feliciano. cation from the Fund. lnos last month raised such con­ "Beneath the national and regional flags and emblems, all per­ lent fees that each QHC is paying. said SM Atalig' s recusal is also 'Thus, tli.e .impact of the judi­ "We're prepared financially to cern, citing that teachers who re­ sons in Hong Kong are-and can be confident that they will remain The potential for a significant required because the recently dis­ cial proceedings on the question meet that obligation so there is no tired in December! 998shouldhave - equally free under our law to express their views on all matters additional deduction, the guard­ FATAL BUS ACCIDENT. Police stand at the site of a bus accident, on a Mexican highway, in Salvatierra, closed agreements and events cre­ of the allocation of the estate's reason for us this year to delay in received their bonus at tl)at time in the central Mexican state of Guanajuato, Tuesday after a passenger bus and a gas truck slammed whether political or nonpolitical: saying what they like, how they ate an objective appearance of ians said, may have a significant contingent fee deduction will af­ and the amount should have been \! the payment of our retirees," head-on into each other, killing at least 26 people and injuring 16. AP like," the court said. partiality. economic impact upon another fect Antonio Atalig' s compensa­ included in their retirement benefit Hillblom kid, Mercedita Feliciano, Matson said. First, the guardians said they tion by many hundreds of thou­ "We're living within our means. computation. and her attorneys. are informed that the executor's sands of dollars," they said. And this is good news," he added. Retirees were asking for an Luxury goods tax counsel met last Dec. 6 and 7 "For example, if an additional $5 Second, the guardians said, in amended form W -2 for 1998 to million is allowed as a deduction to In related news.PSS, Retirement with the federal estate tax auditor the past few days a series of agree­ Fund, and CNMI leaders have re­ remedy the situation, according to sold on web the estate and that deduction is to seek an additional estate tax ments between Naoko Imeong cently found a way to compensate Jones. · allocated to Mercedita Feliciano, deduction for contingent fees of and the Hillblom Trust have been retirement benefits that 1998 PSS Last year's retirees received de­ could be fakes as much as $5 million. she will receive more than $3 mil­ disclosed which directly impli- lay payment on their 30 percent THE lion from the estate as part of her retirees were unable to receive at 2 ~ ~ ~ ARLINGTON, Va., (Reuters) - The guardians said the execu- Continued on page 23 the time of their retirement. Continued on page 23 Holiday shoppers who think they are getting a deal on that Gucci handbag ortheRolex watch they bought on the US Solicitor General pushes for Internet should think again. IS HERE I As many as four to eight percent status quo on makeup of Senate SONATA sites selling Gucci, Mont Blanc By Ferdie de la Torre newly elected Congressman and Rolex products in panicular Variety News Stall Stanley T. Tones sued the Board were actually selling fakes, accord­ THE SOLICITOR General has of Elections asking the federal ing to a SU1vey released by Arling­ asked the U.S. Supreme Court to court to strike out a provision in ton, Va. -based marketrcsearch firm affirm the three-judge federal the Covenant which gives Saipan, Cyveillance. court's decision in Senate appor­ Rota and Tinian equal represen­ Cyveillance said the number of tionment case upholding the con­ tation in the Senate regardless of Web sites selling luxury goods, stitutionality of a law which ap­ their respective population. which range from designer apparel proved the Covenant. The special three-judge court to tine jewelry and accessories, has Solicitor General Seth P. ruled that Congress was exercis­ doubled over last year, rising from Waxman, on behalf of the U.S., ing valid and lawful authority about 20,000 sites in 1998 to more said the judgment of the district when it agreed to the NMI nego­ than 50,000 sites today. court is correct and should be tiators' demand that such provi­ • Automatic Transmission "With record numbers of shop­ summarily affirmed. sion be included in the Covenant pers buying online this holiday, the • Power Windows Waxman said as illustrated by and that the voters of Saipan be potential revenue impact of coun­ the structure of national legisla­ denied the guarantee, which • Power Locks terfeiting on luxury goods makers ture and by a variety of legislative would be deemed fundamental • Compact Disc Player is staggering," Brandy Thomas, arrangements in other free coun­ underthe U.S. Comtitution when • Plus much more! chairman and chief executive of tries, the bicameral arrangement applied to a state, of "one person, Cyveillance, said in a statement. created by a provision in the Cov­ one vote." About 48 percent of affluent enant does not violate any prin­ Theodore Mitchell, counsel for Cmtumers .First' households, or households with ciple forming "the basis of all free plaintiffs, brought the issue be­ Test drive one today at more than $750,000 in investable government," and Congress acted fore the U.S. Supreme Court. He -- assets, use the Internet, while only lawfully in approving it. asserted, among other things, that • !~!~~!;D~R~2!<2~ 33 percent of the over population Lawyer Jeanne Rayphand and Continued on page 23 On Beach Road in 234-7133 are online, according to market re­ search firm Forrester Research. • J J J : · ; , ·:· J.-~ • J \1 t l l 'I • J ' " .I l' ..•r. ~--·------·--·------·-·········· I l --=------.. THURSDAY.DECEMBER 16, 1999-MARIANAS VARIETY NEWS AND VIEWS-5 4-MARIANAS VARIETY NEWS AND VIEWS-THURSDAY- D~CE=MB=ER~l=6~, ~19~9,__9 ______~ Guerrero: Re-work Morgell bill By Jojo Dass O'Connor lmnbasts AGO two workers at an auto shop, just "If you look at, for example. tent of the Oct. 13 order. Variety News Staff By Ferdie de la Torre Court records showed that AGO been filed by AGO to this motion. fore be sanctioned. the mandatory heal th insurance is any of the hotels that employ 300 The AGO's motion stated that SENATOR-elect Ramon S. Variety News Staff filed 60 counts of crimin:tl charges Instead of opposing the The lawyer asserted that no going to kill that employer," he or 400 or 500 workers. Can you DL Guerrero (Reform-Saipan) ATIORNEYRobertJ.O'Connor against N.E.T., doing business as defendant's request, O'Connor opposition has been filed to "the only other possible explana­ said. imagine what the impact will be? tion for the reason counsel yesterday said a bill intro­ on behalf of a garment factory Pacific Coast (formerly Suntex said a prosecutor of AGO filed a N.E.T. 's · request, therefore the Guerrero added that larger com­ The only way that they can re­ duced by Sen. Juan P. Tenorio slammed the Attorney General's Manufacturing) for alleged im­ bad faith motion to ask the court court sl)ould grant that motion (O'Connor) drafted the order the panies may end up shutting down coup is probably by closing some (R-Saipan) requiring all work­ Office (AGO) for showing alleged migration fraud and illegal salary to "correct a clerical mistake" in and dismiss the matter, with preju­ way he did was in an attempt to portions of their operations, even of their facilities or get rid of ers to be covered by medical conduct unbecoming a deductions from its 30 alien work­ that Oct. 13 order. · dice. circumvent the Commonwealth terminating employment of a some of their employees." he ex­ insurance needs to have "some prosecutor's office. ers. O'Connor said that motion by N.E.T. filed two motions, one law of discovery ... " number of their workers, to cover plained. O'Connor, counsel for N.E.T. O'Connor said the AG's mo­ changes" that will lessen the Defendant N.E.T. filed last the prosecutor claims that Presid­ to require the information to be for the cost incurred in paying for "I like the bill. but there has to tion to correct a clerical mistake is employers' burden on spend­ Corporation, said AGO filed a month a motion to dismiss the ing Judge Edward Manibusan more particular, the other to seek medical insurance. be some changes." sham motion in connection with a amended information and to hold mistakenly signed an order re­ discovery of certain documents. not truthful or forthright, and it ing for the purpose. Guerrero proposed that the in­ Tenorio has earlier said he hopes pending criminal case filed by the AGO in contempt due to their quiringAGO todeliverto N.E. T. 's At the hearing on the motion, deliberately. attempts to create a "It would be unfair for small surance coverage be shouldered the next Legislature will act on government against the firm. willfuldisobedienceofthecourt's counsel copies of the documents O'Connor said Assistant Attor­ false impression. businesses," eilplained Guerrero. by the employer, the employee Ramon S. DL Guerrero Juan P. Tenorio Senate Bill 11-134, saying it is "The AG would have this court "If it's mandatory and the em­ "The Attorney General has un­ order. it seized in executing a search ney General Kevin Lynch made "and most likely, the govern­ needed to ease the taxpayers of believe that the trial judge, igno­ ployer has to shoulder all the ex­ derscored its sanctionable con­ The Superior Court issued an warrant at the firm's office. an appearance and both motions ment." jointly shared. It is difficult to cent It has to be shared, that's my the burden caused by subsidizing penses, assuming that you have duct by then filing a motion to order last Oct. 13 requiring dis­ The motion argues that the or­ were discussed in open court. rant of the Commonwealth Rules "It (insurance cost) has to be impose (the measure) 100 per- position," said Guerrero. health care. 'correct a clerical mistake' when covery and ihat the information der was "trickily" drafted by After the motions were heard of Criminal Procedure. clumsily it knew that there had been no be amended in certain particulars. N.E.T. 's counsel to, require the N.E.T. 's counsel corresponded signed an order requiring more mistake and that the contents of O'Connor in support of delivery ofdocuments which were with AGO concerning the con- Continued on page 23 the order had been agreed upon in N.E.T. 'srequest to dismiss and to not asked to be delivered by open court and in writing," said hold AGO in contempt explained Manibusan, said O'Connor, add­ RIDE ON TO NEW HEIGHTS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON! O'Connor in court papers. that no opposition brief has ever ing that AGO suggested he there- Bill seeks to limit guest :•1raJ111: As THE BIKE SHOP presents its Special Holiday Offer! >·ii~.R~~~~.\A$~~~~.n C . ;Hi·:·••tx a>··············.···.·.·.···.·.·······.·.········.··.· worker recruitment fee ...... Y?rt€'Y~ew!i .w~rt> >> ...... ; I!§Kbt~\~ fh%~ thb& 8ri1y From Dec. 17-24, 1999 added requirement that we need By Marian A. Maraya suggested," Inos said. by a grant fr()m the lJ.S/I)ec By Jojo Dass ~tJ~I~ES~E~ i~,:91ve1 •.. in< ·• Jt;ll~(:~.abouti.tJhrpttg~ the Trade-in your old bicycle for a new one! to present to the federal govern­ tl'asli B()l]ection ar~ asking the · lf/edia. . ··.· . . \ ... Variety News Staff Inos further stated she has yet partmentofhlterior, Office of Variety News Staff A BILL proposing that recruit­ ment," said Reyes, adding that goy¢rnTil~l}t to. defer th.e .·. The prpp9s.e