Marianas Variety
Monday, May 12, 2008
By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff
FORTY-SIX of the islands' senior citizens took over the reins of the CNMI government on Friday as part of the annual Older Americans Month activities.
Juana S. Dela Cruz, 73, served as the "governor" an experience she described as "very interesting and a chance of a lifetime."
Starting at 9 a.m., Dela Cruz and her "cabinet" toured the administration and legislative buildings on Capital Hill.
Dela Cruz was greeted by Gov. Benigno R. Fitial, Finance Secretary Eloy Inos and Press Secretary Charles P. Reyes Jr. at the administration building where she also met visiting Hawaii state Sen. J. Kalani English.
Dela Cruz told the Variety that there was one question she wanted to ask the governor: "What's happening to our islands?"
She added, "Maybe he can fix it right away for the people."
Terry Sorroza, 68, served as the "press secretary."
"I shared with her a bit of what I do on a daily basis," Reyes said. "I told her that I check my correspondence through the box and I got also a lot of e-mails every day."
Sorroza was also briefed on how memoranda and administration statements are drafted.
It was on Friday when the islands woke up to the news that President Bush had already signed the CNMI federalization bill.
Reyes said Sorroza was provided information about the legislation as well as the new law signed by the governor, Public Law 16-4 which allows Rota's lawmakers to appropriate revenues from the island's casino industry.
Reyes said the administration is happy to participate in activities that honor and recognize the valuable contributions of the manamko' to the community.
Joaquina N. Kaniki served as the lt. governor; Jacoba B. Asunsion, the resident representative to Washington D.C.; Mercedes Deleon Guerrero, attorney general; Genoveva J. Domingo, Senate president; Rosalia T. Sablan, Speaker of the House; and Orlando V. Gondayoo as secretary of the Department of Finance.
© 2007 Marianas Variety
Original article URL: http://www.mvariety.com/?module=displaystory&story_id=11216