BRIEFS October 15, 2013 The Late Honorable Former Speaker Ayin’s Many Years of Service Helped Shape The State For the past week, the State of Yap has been preparing for the State Funeral of the Honorable Former Speaker Joseph Ayin, after the State Leadership held a meeting on October 4, 2013 to discuss the untimely passing of the former Speaker on September 26, 2013 in Sacramento, California, United States of America. The late Honorable Joseph Ayin was born on March 12, 1932 in Leng Village of Gagil Municipality—during the colonial administration of Imperial Japan. His career in public service began in December of 1951 as a Corpsman, Medical Aid and Dental Aid at the local hospital. His tenure in public service continued over the years, serving Yap as a District Community Officer, Administrative Aid, Field Trip Officer for Yap, the Temporary Assistant Clerk of Courts, and as an official and member of Yaps Legislatures throughout the Trust Territory era to Yaps nascent statehood under the Federated States of Micronesia. The late Honorable Joseph Ayin first began his political career with Yaps legislative branch in 1963, when he was elected and became a member of the Yap Island Legislature—then 29 years old. From 1971 to 1976, he was a member of the Second, Third and Fourth Yap District Legislatures, serving as the Vice Speaker in the latter District Legislature. In 1979, he served as the Speaker in the Sixth Yap District Legislature. He also served as Speaker in the Yap State Legislature under the Yap State Charter from 1980 to 1982. The late Honorable Joseph Ayin was elected as a delegate to the Yap State Constitutional Convention in 1982; he was elected President of the Convention and signed, on Christmas Eve, the draft that became the Constitution of the State of Yap. He then consecutively served, as Speaker, in the First, Second and Third Legislatures of the State of Yap. He then retired after his term as Speaker of the Third Yap State Legislature in 1994. For over forty years, the late Honorable Joseph Ayin dedicated his life to the betterment of the State of Yap. He has earned the respect of the leaders and people of Yap, who will remember him for many years to come as a great leader who made significant and durable contributions to the political, economic and social developments of Yap, whose vision, dedication and strength had provided invaluable guidance and a sense of security to the people of the State of Yap. The late Speaker Joseph Ayin had nine sons: Henry Runfal, Philip Nery Ayin, Henry Runfal Ayin, Joseph Chiengyan Ayin, Jonah Softhal Ayin, Vincent Gootman Ayin, Peter Rungunalkan Ayin, James Bamlul Ayin and Paul Chiengyan Guywol Ayin; a sister, Mrs. Mary Fagaluchuu McKay, and numerous nephews, nieces, grandnephews and grandnieces. The remains of the Former Speaker are expected to arrive in Yap on Wednesday, October 16th, and will be formally escorted by State Police from the airport to lie-in-residence, until the State memorial service, funeral mass and burial ceremony on Friday, October 18. The State Funeral officially began on October 14th, with the ceremonial raising of flags at half-mast, and will end on Sunday evening, October 20th, when the flags are lowered, marking the end of the State Funeral. CNMI Pre-Law Program COLONIA, Yap (Yap State Court Press Release) — The Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands has announced that the sixth CNMI Judiciary Summer Pre-law Program will be held in mid-June 2014 at the Guma Hustisia in Susupe, Saipan. The three-week program will accomplish the following: • Prepare participants for the rigors of first year law school curriculum. • Introduce critical concepts of legal study, with an emphasis on developing critical thinking and analytical skills needed for the curriculum. • Assist in sharpening skills to be effective in Legal Research and Writing. • Provide techniques for the Law School Admissions Test (LSAT). • Highlight the law school admissions process, giving participants an opportunity to draft a law school personal statement. • Expose participants to the legal community and establish individualized mentorship. Robert J. Desiderio, Emeritus Professor and former Dean of the University of New Mexico School of Law, and Professor Rose C. Villazor of the University of California at Davis School of Law will serve as the 2014 program instructors. Applications will be available in December 2013 at the CNMI Judiciarys website at justice.gov.mp. Yap Delegation To Congress Informs Yapese COM Students Of FY14 Congressional Funding Towards Education And Scholarship COLONIA, Yap (Yap Congressional Delegation News, Oct. 11, 2013) — On September 27, 2013, before the end of 2nd Regular Session of the 18th FSM Congress, the two Congressmen from Yap to the 18th FSM Congress, had an awareness meeting with nearly a hundred students from the State of Yap studying at the College of Micronesia (COM) National Campus to discuss among other things developments efforts of the 18th FSM Congress especially those towards education. In their briefing with the college students, the Congressmen shared with the students the reorganization of the 18th FSM Congress. The reorganization of the FSM Congress, as they shared with the students, allowed Congress Joseph J. Urusemal to serve as Chairman on the Committee on Education, and the Congressman Isaac V. Figir as the Chairman on the Committee on Ways and Means. Both Congressmen representing the State of Yap serve on the Committee on Ways and Means. The Congressmen shared with the students that Congress had recently passed in the 2nd Regular Session among other Bills, Congressional Bill No. 18-80 which is an act to appropriate $45,166,002 from the FSM’s General fund for the operations of all branches of the FSM Government and other related purposes for fiscal year 2014. Particularly, the Congressmen shared those approved budget items relating to education, scholarship, and funding towards the College of Micronesia for the student’s information. The Congressmen warned that the financial assistance from the USA to the FSM under the amended compact of free association is gradually decreasing. This gradual reduction in financial assistance, inclusive of funds towards education, is evident even now that funding for certain sectors including health and education for the national government will not be available prior to the beginning of FY14, they added. Such reductions and uncertainties have led Congress to approve a budget with limited funding for some departments of the national government, including the department of education which is currently only budgeted for two quarters. The Congressmen further added that financial assistance from the USA to the FSM after 2023 under the amended compact is uncertain at this time. In line with this, the Congressmen encouraged the college students to dedicate their time to their studies and aim to finish their programs on time, if not earlier. The Congressmen further encouraged the students to advance their education, so they could better contribute to the workforce and economy of their State and nation. Despite all, the Congressmen emphasized that funding for education remains to be a priority. In the said fiscal year budget, the 18th FSM Congress approved $1,000,000 for the FSM National Scholarship, as well as a $200,000 for the National Merit Scholarship given on an annual basis. The Congressmen also reminded students about the FSM SIN Tax Scholarship for eligible students wanting to pursue graduate studies. The Congressmen also added that Congress funded the College of Micronesia’s operation using FSM local revenue despite the reduction of financial assistance under the amended compact. The total approved budget for COM in FY14 is $3.8 million of which $1.4 million came out of local revenue. Supplemental Education Grants (SEG) continues to be funded under the amended compact, which COM also receives to assist with its students’ financial needs. Congress also approved in the FY14 budget other financial assistance to aid other FSM students studying in the neighboring College of the Marshall Islands and Palau Community College. The students raised some concerns about their scholarships and meal plans at the college to which the Congressmen asked that the officers and advisor of the Yapese Student Organization work with the college’s Student Body Association, the national and state scholarship offices, and the college to short out the issues. In hopes that the public stays well informed, the Yap Delegation to the 18th FSM Congress will continue to initiate meetings with various interest groups, state government leaders, and interested individuals. For more information on the appropriation of FSM FY14 Budget, and other Measures before the 18th FSM Congress please visit fsmcongress.fm. For any other information relating to the work of the Members of Yap Congressional Delegation, please email [email protected]. SBA Hosts Welcoming Party & Induction Ceremony At National Campus PALIKIR, FSM (Oct. 14, 2013) — The officers of the Student Body Organization (SBA) a the colleges National Campus hosted a welcoming party and induction ceremony for various student clubs and organizations at the FSM- China Friendship Sports Center on October 11, 2013. Headed by National campus SBA President Gasma Hadley, 18 student body organizations and their new officers were inducted during the ceremony. The organizations were: · Agriculture Club · BYTE · Chi-Alpha · Chuu-Chok · Delta-9 · Marine Science · NuKap · Peer Advisor · PingMwok · Pohnpei Student Organization · Residential Hall Organization · Social Science Club · Wrestling Club · YSO · YES Club · Friends of Xavier · Phi-Theta Kappa · KSO Close to 250 students from both the National and Pohnpei campuses participated in the event. The ceremony was followed by entertainment with live music provided by a local DJ. FSM Information Invited To A Pohnpei State Press Conference KOLONIA, Pohnpei (FSMIS, Oct. 11, 2013) — The FSM Information staff took part in a live press conference for Pohnpei State Governor John Ehsa at the Governor’s Conference Room on Wednesday, October 9. During the conference, Governor Ehsa outlined upcoming events and projects that relate directly to core activities regarding women, youth and senior citizens of Pohnpei. The Governor stressed that through coordination from the Pohnpei State Office of Social Affairs (OSA), necessary steps will be taken to officially charter the Pohnpei Women Association Council (PWAC), Pohnpei Youth Council (PYC) and Pohnpei Senior Citizen Association (PSA) to provide these non-government organizations (NGOs) with the legal framework to guide their operations. This framework could provide guidelines for these and any NGOs to engage in lawful activities and access professional development and related aims in their vital undertakings. In support of ongoing improvement of the NGOs, Governor Ehsa highlighted initiatives in working with the PWAC as an example. According to the Governor, a newly renovated facility will be the center of all women activities where PWAC members will be able to work with the Department of Health officials with health concerns such as battling diabetes. Among other concerns, the significance of events such as the International Women’s Day and Women Health Week were also raised. Gov. Ehsa also called attention to a wide variety of events for Pohnpei Youth. Among these events, the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) held a grant writing workshop designed to train the youth to become successful grant writers. Fifty seven youth leaders were in attendance. The Student Exchange Program also launched a project, coordinating student exchanges between Japan and certain schools in Pohnpei. This kind of activity is administered to expose youth students to other ways of life through intercultural learning experiences. He also spoke on other events that offered opportunities for leadership development in health, drug awareness and community involvement. Activities concerning senior citizens included ceremonies, art, local music, the demonstration of Sakau en Pohnpei and other events that promote the showcasing of cultural and traditional practices. Future plans for improvement included a new id for senior citizens, a Christmas Program and the launching of a health day. The Governor said that the planning of these projects is currently underway. Suit Against Former Palau President And VP To Continue – VIDEO NGERULMUD, Palau (Oceania TV News, Oct. 11, 2013) — On October 4th, Associate Justice Kathleen Salii granted a motion to dismiss a civil lawsuit against Palau’s former President and Vice President. The case, which was filed in 2012, was filed against former President Toribiong and former Vice President Mariur in their official and personal capacity over the alleged misuse of Uighurs funds and alleged unconstitutional executive branch over-expenditures. Rachel Dimitruk, the Attorney for Plaintiffs confirmed to OTV that the court only dismissed the case in the defendants’ official capacity, but will continue on in their personal capacity. Former Senators Remengesau, Jr., Whipps, Jr., Oilouch, Baules, and Chin filed suit against former President Toribiong and Vice President Mariur on accusations that U.S. Government “Uighur money” was misspent or inappropriately diverted to his family. At the time, they urged the Attorney General’s Office to file the suit, but the AG did not, prompting the Senators to hire a private counsel and filed on their own behalf. US, Marshalls Break Compact Funds Deadlock MAJURO, Marshall Islands (Marianas Variety, Oct. 14, 2013) — The Marshall Islands and United States governments have broken a deadlock over the new fiscal year’s $23.7 million in Compact funding, paving the way for its release. After more than a month-long stalemate over conditions demanded by the U.S. government, the Marshall Islands government was successful in getting U.S. agreement to waive the plan to make release of second half funding dependent on the Marshall Islands submitting a planning report that it agreed in 2010 to do, but has not yet submitted. However, the resolution approving the FY2014 Compact budget states that no FY2015 funding will be approved unless the Marshall Islands fulfills a more than three-year-old requirement to produce “a report that addresses the broad range of fiscal challenges facing the Marshall Islands.” This includes the need for a plan by the Marshall Islands to show how it is addressing the annual phased $500,000 step-down in Compact grants in light of the heavy dependence of its ministries of health and education on U.S. funding. Marshall Islands officials refused to agree to FY2014 Compact funding with the requirement that this report be provided or funding from April 1, 2014 would not be released by the U.S. Under the new plan, the Marshall Islands has gained a reprieve of a few months, but still has to deliver on the planning report or its FY2015 funding will be in jeopardy. Marshall Islands Foreign Minister Phillip Muller said U.S. Compact funding should be provided without conditions. Funding approved at Wednesday’s consultation between U.S. and Marshall Islands officials is $23.7 million, mostly for Education ($11.6 million), Health ($7.5 million) and a Special Needs fund for Ebeye Island ($3.8 million). The U.S. maintained a limit on the levels of Compact funding that the Ministries of Health and Education can spend on power bills, rental housing, and food despite complaints from Foreign Minister Muller that the Marshall Islands was unable to come up with funding to replace the U.S. support. More Tax Refunds To Be Mailed Out On Guam HAGÅTÑA, Guam (Pacific Daily News/PIR, Oct. 09, 2013) — About $2.6 million in tax refunds will be mailed out tomorrow (October 10) on Guam to cover all remaining error-free tax refunds, the governors office announced yesterday (October 8). The cash release will pay 1,254 checks, which will cover all remaining Status A refunds. Residents who have error-free returns that were filed up to May 5 should expect a refund, the governors office said. This is yet another fantastic accomplishment from our fiscal team: to pay all remaining Status-A refunds processed, the governor said in the release. I thank all the hardworking men and women in these agencies who are committed to paying Guamanians the money they deserve. We will keep paying refunds as soon as we can, and with our track record, that means well in advance of the six-month deadline. There still are about 938 taxpayers with Status E or S returns, worth about $4.2 million. Class E checks are those that had errors on forms, while Class S checks are those that were suspended from being cashed. The governors office said the Department of Revenue and Taxation continues to work with taxpayers to address return-related problems. -END-
Posted on: Tue, 15 Oct 2013 05:45:59 +0000
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