The Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality has red-flagged the Chalan Kanoa District 2 drain and is advising the public not to fish or swim within 300 feet of this location for the next 48 hours or until otherwise notified.

Samples collected from this site contained excessive concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria (enterococci) that exceeded the CNMI Marine Water Quality Standards. These bacteria can indicate the presence of human and animal waste in the water.

BECQ analyzes water samples collected from Saipan’s recreational beaches and storm drainage every Tuesday. For more information, contact DEQ at 664-8500. (BECQ)

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Three of the eight charges filed against a woman suspected as a distributor of methamphetamine or “ice” have been found multiplicitous.

In Biyu Hu’s case, Superior Court Associate Judge Wesley M. Bogdan found that three counts of illegal possession of a controlled substance are multiplicitous as to three counts of trafficking of a controlled substance, at least in part because defendant could not sell the methamphetamine during the controlled-buys to the CNMI government’s confidential informant without being in actual possession of “ice.”

Bogdan, however, emphasized that the same conclusion cannot be made for the 7th and 8th counts charging Yu with trafficking of a controlled substance and illegal possession of a controlled substance because they relate to a separate search of Hu’s residence and were not the result of her direct effort to sell “ice” to an informant.

“The underlying facts and circumstances of that search are more legally equivocal, especially given the amount of methamphetamine allegedly discovered,” said Bogdan in granting Hu’s motion to consolidate the multiplicitous charges.

Assistant public defender Nancy Dominski is counsel for Hu. Assistant attorney general Chester Hinds argued as counsel for the government at the hearing.

Bogdan ordered the government to amend the information, electing between three counts of trafficking or three counts of illegal possession.

With respect to the 7th and 8th counts charging Hu with trafficking and illegal possession, Bogdan said a violation of Hu’s constitutional rights is not likely to occur if the jury is informed at trial that the Commonwealth charged her with both possession and trafficking of a controlled substance for the “ice” allegedly discovered at her home.

Instead, the judge noted, this search stands alone and distinct from the controlled buys and could conceivably—depending on the amount of methamphetamine proven to exist at trial—result in either simple possession conviction or result in a trafficking conviction under the rebuttal presumption of trafficking option created in a statute.

The CNMI Drug Enforcement Task Force arrested Hu in Dandan in May 2017 for allegedly selling and yielding 100 grams of “ice” worth $40,000 to $50,000 during “buy-walk operations” on Saipan.

Hu, 36, a female but known as Brother, pleaded not guilty.

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As part of its Charter Day celebration, Northern Marianas College is inviting participants to audition for Proa Factor, the celebration’s talent competition.

Singers, dancers, dance groups, slam poets, musicians, bands, DJs, and other talented performers are encouraged to audition.

In previous years, NMC has hosted Marianas Idol and Battle of the Bands at the NMC Charter Day celebration, but this year all categories of performers are invited to showcase their talents at NMC’s second Proa Factor.

Interested individuals or groups must be 12 and older to compete. Top contestants will perform during Charter Day on April 13, 2018.

Entry forms for the contest are due by Thursday, April 5, 2018, at 4pm. Live auditions will be held on Friday, April 6, 2018, at 6pm at NMC in room D1. Those who are interested can email charter.day@marianas.edu for an entry form.

All bands and dance groups of more than eight members must submit a video recording of their audition to compete. A video submission is strictly for bands and large dance groups only. The video submission deadline is on Thursday, April 5, 2018, and the video can be sent to charter.day@marianas.edu.

The Charter Day festivities will kick off at 4pm and will continue until 10pm at the NMC south field in As Terlaje on Friday, April 13, 2018. The event will feature various entertainment and competitions. Numerous vendors will also be selling food and drinks, as well as hosting game booths.

As part of its commitment to promoting healthier health habits, sugary drinks will not be sold at Charter Day. This includes sodas or other drinks with high sugar content. Water will be available for purchase.

Contact kenneth.gabrido@marianas.edu or call 237-6770 for more details about the PROA Factor Talent competition. For more information about Charter Day email charter.day@marianas.edu. (PR)

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Triple J Motors is one of the hole-in-one sponsors for the Saipan Chamber of Commerce’s 2018 Golf Tournament slated for Saturday, April 14, 2018. From the left, Saipan Chamber of Commerce executive director Jill M. Arenovski, Triple J Saipan, Inc. HR director Frank Ada, Triple J Motors Saipan general manager Randy Steele, Triple J Motors sales associate Justine Marie Chan, Saipan Chamber of Commerce coordinator Christine S. Tadeo, and Triple J Motors sales associates Shae Stovell and Manning Salas. (Contributed Photo)

The 2018 Saipan Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament is sure to be the best one yet, with different skill levels having a chance to win cash prizes totaling $3,200 for each of the two categories: Team Gross and Team Double Peoria.

There will also be cash prizes for closest-to-the-pin, longest drive, and accurate drive contests.

An additional perk is a chance to win a new Mazda MX-5 Miata convertible roadster, courtesy of Triple J Motors as a hole-in-one prize at Hole 3.

“The total value is $33,995,” said Randy Steele, Triple J Motors general manager.

“Triple J Saipan, Inc. is always up to help,” said Jay Jones, Triple J Enterprises senior vice president.

In addition to prizes, golfers will enjoy complimentary swag bags. On-course snacks and refreshments will be provided throughout the day of play.

The tournament is slated for Saturday, April 14, 2018. Showtime is at 6am with a shotgun start at 7am. The format is a two-person scramble. The registration fee is $130/per person. Chamber members will enjoy a discounted fee of $120/ member. A banquet and raffle will immediately follow the close of the tournament.

Registration forms for players are available for download at www.saipanchamber.com, at the Chamber office, and at Laolao Bay Golf & Resort. (PR)

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WASHINGTON—The newly signed 2018 Omnibus Funding Agreement includes $123 million in funding through 2024 for the 2010 Palau Compact Review Agreement, as agreed to between the United States and the Republic of Palau.

U.S. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke said the Compact agreement is an important element of the Pacific national security strategy to maintain stability in the Western Pacific Region. 

“Interior has held a long, historic relationship with Palau and other U.S.-affiliated Pacific Islands and we look forward to continuing our role on behalf of the U.S. Government in providing these funds to the government of Palau.”

“We will be working closely with the State Department and other federal partners to move forward as quickly as possible,” added Doug Domenech, the assistant secretary for Insular and International Affairs.

The U.S. and Palau governments will need to meet to update the funding schedule of the 2010 agreement which required specific annual outlays of funds.

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Veterans, veteran families, and dignified guests came together to pay tribute to the hundreds of Vietnam veterans who have passed on and who are still living today through the first Vietnam War veterans memorial ceremony yesterday at the American Memorial Park. (Erwin Encinares)

It may have been nearly 45 years late but Vietnam War veterans were finally honored at the American Memorial Park last Wednesday.

The CNMI government, in conjunction with the Veteran’s Affairs Office, put together the first memorial service that commemorates both those who lost their lives during or after the Vietnam War and those who survived the war itself.

On March 29, 1973, the last batch of U.S. troops in Vietnam returned home after over eight years in combat during the second Indochina War, also called the Vietnam War.

A handful of the U.S. troops who served during the Vietnam War were from the Northern Marianas and, like many of their comrades, were not welcomed as heroes upon their return home.

These forgotten war heroes were finally given a tribute last Wednesday through a memorial service where a commemorative wreath-laying ceremony was done at the American Memorial Park Circle of Honor, a proclamation was signed in honor of Vietnam War veterans, and commemorative plaques and pins were distributed to Vietnam War veterans.

Frank Cepeda, the eldest son of late veteran Isidro Cepeda, and his mother received the commemorative service plaque on behalf of his father.

According to Cepeda, he was 10 years old when his father returned home from the Vietnam War. Cepeda vividly remembers his father’s return, of incidents when people threw garbage at him, called him names, and were just plain awful toward him and his comrades just because they did their duty for their country.

Cepeda said that even though many saw his father and other Vietnam War veterans as awful people for serving their country, he remained proud of his father and still is. Cepeda said he knows that his father would have been overjoyed if he were alive to witness the commemoration ceremony.

Cepeda was only one of the immediate family members of a handful of other Vietnam War veteran family members present during the commemoration ceremony last Wednesday.

According to Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, it is important that Vietnam War veterans are not forgotten because they were the heroes who fought with courage to serve their country even when it came down to making tough decisions.

Torres apologized for the long overdue Vietnam War veterans memorial service and assured the veterans and veteran families who were present Wednesday that Vietnam War veterans will continue to be honored in the CNMI.

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Senate President Arnold I. Palacios (R-Saipan) and House Speaker Rafael S. Demapan (R-Saipan) met with members of the CNMI Judiciary on Wednesday, March 28, 2018, to discuss possible funding to replace the air conditioning system and remove and remediate the mold problem facing the Guma Hustisia.

Palacios and Demapan indicated they will work with Gov. Ralph DLG Torres to provide immediate funding so that the Guma Hustisia can be reopened to court staff and the public.

The building has been closed since March 16.

“The Judiciary appreciates the support and assistance of both the Executive and Legislative Branches with securing funding to address the Guma’ Hustisia’s air-conditioning system and mold remediation,” said Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro. “Mold assessment is currently ongoing, but additional funding is necessary to address mold removal and remediation.”

Director of Courts Sonia A. Camacho said, “It is recommended that we replace the air conditioning system with a newly manufactured one to fit the needs of the Guma Hustisia. The replacement will take some time as it will need to be ordered and shipped to Saipan.”

Capital Improvement Project administrator Elizabeth S. Balajadia and technical analyst Leona DLG Sablan, who also attended the meeting, have been assisting the Judiciary on the mold remediation project.

Although the Guma Hustisia remains closed to the public, court operations have resumed with services provided at alternate locations. Court business will be conducted at these alternate locations until the air-conditioning system is fully restored and mold assessment and remediation has been completed.

Court schedule and notices are posted on the Judiciary website (www.justice.gov.mp), Facebook (CNMI Judiciary), and Instagram (@cnmijudiciary). (PR)

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A Rota senator is concerned that the total casino gross revenue tax appropriations to the Public School System since fiscal year 2017 represents only 19 percent of total CGRT, as opposed to the constitutional mandate of 25 percent.

Sen. Paul Manglona (Ind-Rota) cited a recent Legislative Bureau report, saying he remains concerned about the Legislature’s appropriation of less than 25 percent of revenues, which includes the CGRT.

The CGRT is obtained by taxing 5 percent of revenue generated by the casino.

PSS has been appropriated a total of over $22 million in CGRT from fiscal year 2016 and 2017. The total CGRT comes in at over $116.25 million for both fiscal years.

The $22 million is only about 19 percent of $116.25 million, and is therefore not compliant with the CNMI Constitution, which states that PSS is entitled to 25 percent. In order to comply with the CNMI Constitution, PSS needs to be appropriated over $29 million.

The Legislative Bureau report states that for Public Law 19-75, or the first supplemental appropriation of additional funds derived from the fiscal year 2016 CGRT, PSS got $10.2 million of the total $40.9 million. That makes P.L. 19-75 compliant with the CNMI Constitution.

P.L. 20-42, which noted a total CGRT of over $46 million, allocated $11.8 million to PSS and is also compliant with the constitution.

The problem is that the Legislature also passed three more CGRT appropriation bills in between those two public laws, which did not allocate anything to PSS.

P.L. 20-04 was enacted to take care of the land compensation judgments issued by the CNMI Judiciary, which had deadlines. P.L. 20-04 took care of the CNMI’s largest land compensation debt of $16 million.

P.L. 20-09 paid $7 million to the Settlement Fund balances owed since fiscal years 2014 and 2015, when settlement fund trustee Joyce Tang issued an ultimatum to the CNMI government, threatening to cease assisting the government with the processing of the 25 percent payments to retirees. Retiree benefits were not disrupted.

P.L. 20-16 retroactively addressed balances owed to employees whose salaries got stuck at Step 12.

Manglona told Saipan Tribune that he believes the Legislature’s attempts to “divert” tax revenue into special accounts undermine the intention of the constitution.

“As I have stated in the past, this issue has to be resolved once and for all through the Supreme Court certified-question route,” he said.

According to the same report, PSS was appropriated a budget of over $89.9 million in fiscal year 2018, $38.8 million of which were from federal grants.

The Legislature appropriated a total of over $36.6 million in funding from the general funds, which will go to salaries, board member salaries, and the Cooperative Education Program. PSS’ other sources of funding include the Tobacco Settlement (Public Law 13-37); the Compact Impact agreement; the Tobacco Control Fund, and the CGRT. Besides the general fund, PSS was appropriated at least $14.3 million in earmarks and alternate sources of funding.

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NMC’s Charter Day committee is inviting the community members to participate in the Proa Factor talent competition. Auditions will be held on Friday, April 6, 2018, at NMC in Room D1. Entry forms are due on Thursday, April 5, 2018 by 4pm. Those who are interested can email charter.day@marianas.edu for an entry form. For more information contact Kenneth Gabrido at 237-6770 or kenneth.gabrido@marianas.edu. (Contributed Photo)

The planning committee for Northern Marianas College’s Charter Day celebration is inviting performers to audition for the event’s Proa Factor Talent Competition.

Singers, dancers, dance groups, slam poets, musicians, bands, DJs, and other talented performers are encouraged to audition.

In previous years, NMC has hosted Marianas Idol and Battle of the Bands at the NMC Charter Day celebration, but this year all categories of performers are invited to showcase their talents at NMC’s second Proa Factor.

Interested individuals or groups must be 12 and older to compete. Top contestants will perform at Charter Day on April 13, 2018.

Entry forms for the contest are due by Thursday, April 5, 2018, at 4pm. Live auditions will be held on Friday, April 6, 2018, at 6pm at NMC in room D1. Those who are interested can log on to www.marianas.edu for an online form. Paper applications are available at NMC’s cashier window and can also be submitted at the cashier window.

All bands and dance groups of more than eight members must submit a video recording of their audition to compete. A video submission is strictly for bands and large dance groups only. The video submission deadline is on Thursday, April 5, 2018, and the video can be sent to charter.day@marianas.edu.

The Charter Day festivities will kick off at 4pm and will continue until 10pm at the NMC south field in As Terlaje on Friday, April 13, 2018. The event will feature various entertainment and competitions. Numerous vendors will also be selling food and drinks, as well as hosting game booths.

As part of its commitment to promoting healthier health habits, sugary drinks will not be sold at Charter Day. This includes sodas or other drinks with high sugar content. Water and coconut water will be available for purchase.

Contact kenneth.gabrido@marianas.edu or call 237-6770 for more details about the PROA Factor Talent competition. For more information about Charter Day email charter.day@marianas.edu. (PR)

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SAN FRANCISCO—The 2018 Ninth Circuit Civics Contest, an essay and video competition for high school students, has been extended to account for an early spring break in some school systems.

The new deadline for entries is 11:59pm Pacific Time on Sunday, April 8, 2018.

For more information, visit http://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/civicscontest.

The contest is open to young people in Alaska, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon and Washington, the U.S. territory of Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Students in grades 9-12 in public, private and parochial schools or home-schooled students of equivalent grade status may enter.

The theme of the contest is “The 14th Amendment 150 Years After Ratification: What Does Equal Protection Mean to Students?”

Students are challenged to write an essay or produce a video focusing on how Congress and the federal courts have applied the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment to public education, whether in admissions, classroom instruction or athletics.

Students may enter both the essay and video competitions. A student is allowed to submit one essay and to submit one video either as an individual or part of a team of up to three members.

The contest is cosponsored by the Courts and Community Committee of the Judicial Council of the Ninth Circuit and the federal courts in the 15 judicial districts that make up the circuit.

A total of $7,000 in cash prizes will be awarded with the top three finishers in both the essay and video competitions receiving $2,000 for first place, $1,000 for second place and $500 for third place.

The first-place winners along with a parent or guardian also will be invited to attend the 2018 Ninth Circuit Judicial Conference in Anaheim, California. The conference is an annual gathering of federal judges and lawyers practicing in the federal courts.

At least one U.S. Supreme Court justice typically participates in the conference and usually meets with the contest winners.

By entering the Ninth Circuit contest, students are automatically entered into any local contest taking place in their districts.

For more information about the Ninth Circuit Civics Contest, contact the Ninth Circuit Office of the Circuit Executive, (415) 355-8973 / civicscontest@ce9.uscourts.gov. (PR)

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Based on information received from the National Weather Service in Tiyan, Guam, and compiled at the CNMI Emergency Operations Center State Warning Point, northwest swells from Typhoon Jelawat were forecasted to increase surf on north-and west-facing reefs to hazardous levels last night.

A high surf advisory is in effect until 5am this Wednesday.

Surf on north- and west-facing reefs were expected increase to hazardous levels of 8 to 10 feet last night. Hazardous surf will persist through at least Wednesday and there will be increased risk of rip currents.

The public is advised to avoid venturing near reefs and exposed beaches, especially those facing north and west, as rip currents will be life threatening. If you become caught in a rip current, remain calm and swim parallel to shore and back toward the beach when possible. Do not attempt to swim directly against a rip current. (EOC)

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The four men who were indicted in federal court in connection with an alleged clandestine laboratory that made crystal methamphetamine or “ice” on Saipan have pleaded “not guilty.”

At their arraignment on Wednesday afternoon, Vincent David Cabrera Jr., Eugene Blas Repeki Jr., Rick Urumelog Omar Jr., and Sidney Capelle Kani pleaded not guilty.

Their jury trial will start on May 31, 2018.

U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona ordered the parties to file pretrial motions by April 11, 2018.

The case and the initial complaint filed against the five were consolidated.

David G. Banes, the court-appointed counsel for Omar, present Omar’s mother as his proposed third-party custodian.

U.S. Probation officer assistant Juanette David-Atalig, however, asked for for more time to check the mother’s background.

Manglona set the hearing on Omar’s renewed motion for release pending trial for Monday, April 2, at 1:30pm.

The indictment charged Cabrera, Repeki, Omar, and Kani with conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine, and conspiracy to possess chemicals, products, and equipment to manufacture methamphetamine.

In addition, the indictment charged Repeki and Kani with distribution of methamphetamine, and manufacture and distribution of methamphetamine on premises where a child is present and resides.

The indictment charged Repeki and Omar with distribution of methamphetamine, and manufacture and distribution of methamphetamine on premises where a child is present or resides.

The indictment added a charge of maintaining a drug-involved premises against Cabrera.

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Junior high and middle school students will be arguing a fictitious case of a shoot out in the case of the United States v. Lou Perez at the 13th Annual CNMI Junior High Mock Trial on Saturday, April 7, at the US District Courts of the NMI in Garapan.

The CNMI Junior High Mock Trial is a signature program of the Northern Marianas Humanities Council where students learn about the law and standard courtroom procedures. Though the program is non-competitive, special recognition will be given to students who give outstanding performances in their roles as attorneys or witnesses.

Over 50 students from eight different schools have registered. Participating schools include Admiral Herbert G. Hopwood Middle School, Chacha Ocean View Middle School, Dandan Middle School, Eskuelan San Francisco De Borja, Francisco M. Sablan Middle School, Mount Carmel School, Saipan Community School, and Tinian Junior Senior High School.

Schools have been paired up over four rounds, which will be presided by a judge. This year’s judges are Associate Justice John Manglona, Associate Judge Teresa Kim-Tenorio and Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho.

The program begins Saturday, April 7, at 9am at the Hiroguchi Building in Garapan. It is free and open to the public.

The CNMI Junior High Mock Trial is made possible through funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities and in partnership with the CNMI Judiciary.

For more information, call the council staff at 235-4785. (PR)

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The Bridge Capital LLC partnered with Joeten Enterprises and the Micronesian Islands Nature Alliance to lessen the usage of plastic bags across the CNMI.

For every reusable bag distributed at Joeten Susupe or Joeten Garapan, Bridge Capital donates $1.

MINA, in conjunction with Joeten Enterprises, has hosted numerous Celebrity Bagging events and Taya Plastic Tuesdays over the years, but this was the first time they paired up with Bridge Capital to give away free reusable bags.

The concept of Celebrity Bagging was for community celebrities like government officials, leaders in private agencies, and community role models to come out for one hour and bag groceries while they spread awareness of the benefits of reducing the use of plastic bags.

Celebrities who volunteered their time during the Celebrity Bagging event last Saturday were CNMI representatives, public figures, private company leaders, groups from government agencies, and active community members.

The Celebrity Bagging event is put on every year to discourage the use of plastic bags. Every shopper is given a free reusable bag with every purchase that they can reuse during Taya Plastic Tuesdays, or they can completely substitute the bags for plastic bags.

According to Bridge Capital chief operations officer Tucker Baldwin, MINA is an important organization on Saipan because they continuously help reduce the use of plastic in the CNMI in order to keep the streets clean and the oceans clean.

This was the Bridge Capital’s first year and they decided to up the ante by giving away free bags instead of having customers purchase them themselves.

“What we’re doing in bridge, we’re upping the ante a little bit. We’re trying to make sure the people get the bags that they need to participate. Everybody will take a bag home today and they can re-use that on Taya Plastic Tuesdays so they don’t have to buy another bag…This gives the community more resources to fight environmental pollution,” he said.

During the Celebrity Bagging event, MINA also set up an informational booth outside Joeten Susupe and Joeten Garapan to educate anyone interested on how plastic bags can affect marine life while also polluting the island.

According to MINA Tasi Watch lead ranger Wayne Dawe, events like the Celebrity Bagging are extremely important because it has been an ongoing issue where in marine animals continue to die due to the consumption of plastic.

“I think it’s really important. It reduces plastic bags getting into the ocean because most of the marine life mistake it [plastic bags] for food and they end up eating it,” he said.

Daniel Kaipat, Tasi Watch second ranger, said that through the Celebrity Bagging event and the Taya Plastic Tuesdays, over 2,000 plastic bags are lefts un-used and do not enter the ocean.

“Its one of the goals of Taya Plastic Tuesdays and why we like to offer reusable bags,” he said.

The amount of bags distributed and the amount raised for MINA has yet to be announced by Bridge Capital.

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Marianas March Against Cancer 2018 organizing committee members pose with Hofschneider Engineering Corp. staff after the latter agreed to become a major sponsor of the 2018 MMAC. (Contributed Photo)

Hofschneider Engineering Corp. will once again be a major sponsor for the Marianas March Against Cancer, marking another year of contribution and commitment to the CNMI’s fight against cancer.

Major sponsorship is given to one company or organization that has made a donation worth over $1,000 in cash or in-kind services.

This year, the corporation has pledged $1,000 in monetary donations to MMAC 2018.

“We’d like to thank Hofschneider Engineering Corp. for returning once again as a devoted sponsor for MMAC. For years, they’ve marched alongside us and the community. We want to express our greatest gratitude to HEC and all our sponsors for making this year’s MMAC 2018 event possible,” said MMAC 2018 Sponsorship chair Monique Sablan.

“Hofschneider Engineering’s continual commitment is another reminder of our community’s dedication to the cause. Our community partners demonstrate time and time again how important this fight is to all of us,” said MMAC 2018 co-chair Bobby Cruz.

“We are very grateful for another year of sponsorship from Hofschneider Engineering. They have continued to support this cause in more ways than one, and it is great knowing that they continue to be a part of our network of partners. MMAC 2018 is getting closer and closer, and our community leaders have really stepped up this year,” said MMAC 2018 co-chair Carline Sablan. (PR)

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Former Indigenous Affairs executive director Ignacio DLG Demapan and his wife, Frieda S. R. Demapan, have filed a lawsuit against the owner of a building along Beach Road, where the Saipan Mayor’s Office is located, for allegedly failing to maintain its elevator that bounced violently, causing them injuries.

The Demapan couple, through counsel David G. Banes, is suing Chong International Corp. and its majority shareholder and manager, Jang Lee Chong, for negligence.

The couple asked the Superior Court to hold CIC and Chong liable to pay them damages for economic and non-economic injuries and losses, pain and suffering, mental anguish, medical care and expenses in an amount to be proven at trial. They are also demanding payment of attorney’s fees and court costs.

CIC is the owner and landlord of Ladera Center Building located on Beach Road, Saipan.

As of press time, Saipan Tribune was still trying to get comments from Chong.

According to Banes, while commercial units in the Ladera Center may be leased to tenants, CIC retains control and possession of the common area and facilities in the building, including its elevator.

Banes said rather than hiring a professional third party that is competent to maintain and repair the elevator, Chong would personally try to maintain and repair the elevator.

Banes said that around July 18, 2017, during normal business hours, the Demapan couple went to the Ladera Center to go to the mayor’s office.

Banes said in going up and down the building, the couple used the elevator.

During the couple’s ride, the elevator allegedly malfunctioned and bounced violently, causing them to sustain injuries.

Banes said CIC’s management, including Chong, who live in the same building, knew people riding the elevator could be injured when it malfunctioned.

Banes said the management and Chong knew they were not competent to maintain and repair the elevator by themselves.

The lawyer said the day before the couple went to the Ladera Center, the elevator had severely malfunctioned and caused three minors to be struck inside, necessitating intervention by the Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services.

Banes said CIC and Chong had learned about that incident, but did not repair the elevator at all, nor did they put up a sign to warn people not to use the elevator.

Banes also disclosed that while CIC’s annual report states a capitalization of $1 million paid for its share, CIC is actually undercapitalized with regards to its actual and potential liabilities.

The lawyer alleged that the undercapitalization was intended by Chong “as a way to defeat claims of actual and potential creditors.”

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Nathan Denight, Guam Visitors Bureau president and chief executive officer, and Dee Hernandez, GVB Cultural Heritage officer, joins Michael Schnitger, Sodexo resident district manager, and Sodexo team members at the annual back-to-school training that included a pledge refresh for its 235 returning and new employees on Aug. 7, 2018. (Contributed Photo)

More than 220 current and 85 new employees of Sodexo Food Services have renewed their Håfa Adai Pledge and committed to sharing the håfa adai spirit at Sodexo Guam’s annual back-to-school training.

Sodexo is present in 35 out of 42 of Guam’s public schools and about 99 percent of employees are locally hired and managed.

In the upcoming school year, the company expects to serve about four million meals to school children.

The Håfa Adai Pledge program is a cornerstone of the Guam Visitors Bureau’s local community branding campaign. (PR)

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From October 2017 to August 2018, the Saipan Mayor’s Office managed to remove 483 junk cars in different parts of the island.

According field operations director Joan Aquino, a total of 405 other junk cars still need to be removed as part of the office’s debris cleaning and maintenance efforts.

Many of the vehicles that remain to be picked up were not removed, Aquino said, because their owners were either not at home or Saipan Mayor’s Office staff members were unable to access the vehicles due to more debris blocking the entrance.

To resolve this issue, Aquino has asked the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. to help clean up the debris—mostly trees and plants trapping the cars—so they could remove these abandoned vehicles.

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Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho granted yesterday the request of the Office of the Attorney General and the defense to drop the case against a woman who is related to a minor who was allegedly sexually abused.

The OAG may re-file the case against Francisca Osilek in the future. Saipan Tribune opted not to disclose Osilek’s relationship with the girl.

With the case now dismissed, the court can no longer monitor the conditions that both parties had required of Osilek.

Assistant attorney general Frances T. Demapan and defense counsel Michael White have agreed not to re-file the case so long as two conditions are met.

The first condition is that Osilek shall not mention, discuss, or refer to the ongoing criminal cases to the victim or to any defendants in the case.

The other condition is that Osilek shall complete a parenting class at the Division of Youth Services comppsed on six two-hour sessions.

In the government’s motion to dismiss, Demapan said the Commonwealth believes that a dismissal without prejudice is warranted.

Camacho vacated Osilek’s jury trial, set for Sept. 4, 2018.

The OAG charged Osilek for asking the 15-year-old girl to drop the charges against 35-year-old Jeffry Manarang Fernandez, who allegedly sexually abused the girl.

Last Friday, Camacho also dismissed without prejudice the case against Rose Fernandez, who is the mother of Jeffry Fernandez.

The case against Jeffry Fernandez is still pending in court.

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Isabel Pangelinan Matsunaga, the Northern Marianas College testing coordinator, filed yesterday morning her candidacy as an independent bet for Precinct 2 of the House of the Representatives.

Matsunaga, 25, was accompanied by family members and some supporters when she turned in her papers for candidacy to Commonwealth Election Commission executive director Julita Villagomez and CEC administrative officer Kayla Igitol.

Former governor Juan N. Babauta and former education commissioner Dr. Rita A. Sablan, Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan and some fellow independent candidates came to support Matsunaga.

Precinct 2 covers Susupe, Chalan Kanoa, part of Finasisu, As Lito, and As Perdido.

In an interview, Matsunaga said she can offer a different perspective and a voice for the youth and women.

“We need more women. We need more people among my generation to speak up for the issues that are happening now,” she said. “I want to be part of the movement…a part of the movement that hopefully makes some real change.”

Matsunaga is the eldest of three children of Ramon T. Matsunaga and Tina Matsunaga.

After graduating from Marianas High School, she got her associate degree in Liberal Arts at NMC. She is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in business math. She has been working at NMC as testing coordinator for four years now.

The deadline to file candidacies is today, Wednesday.

As of yesterday, 87 have filed their candidacies for the Nov. 6 general election. Chief Justice Alexandro Castro and Associate Judge Teresa Kim-Tenorio, who are seeking retention on the bench, are not included in the 87.

Meanwhile, former Labor Secretary Edith Deleon Guerrero confirmed yesterday that she will be filing her candidacy as an independent for a Senate seat.

Deleon Guerrero said she will be filing her papers today, Wednesday, at 2:30pm.

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