SAIPAN — Representative BJ Attao and House Speaker Edmund Villagomez said House Bill 24-84, which would fund the retirees’ 25 percent benefit payment for the remainder of the fiscal year and provide more than half a million dollars to the Public School System, has been sitting in the Senate since the House passed it in January.
The gubernatorial running mates appeared Wednesday on Good Morning Marianas, a day after the NMI Settlement Fund notified retirees that the CNMI government informed the fund on May 27 it will no longer cover the 25 percent benefit payments beyond July 31.
Attao said the Settlement Fund’s obligation covers 75 percent of benefits, with the government responsible for the remaining 25 percent under an agreement negotiated during the administration of the late Governor Eloy S. Inos. He said the legislation arose from a December 31, 2025 communication from the administration identifying roughly $2.7 million available for appropriation, which the House moved to split between PSS and the retiree benefit.
“Rest assured that we didn’t forget about you guys,” Attao said, addressing retirees. “This legislation was already in place before this letter came out.”
Villagomez said the bill could be taken up by the full Senate body without committee referral, as the House did when it passed the measure on first and final reading. “Of course, there’s always going to be concerns, but we put the needs of the community first,” he said.
The pair also discussed interest from auto manufacturer ZO Motors in establishing operations near the airport in the area formerly designated as a free trade zone, since renamed the economic incentive zone. Attao said the company is working with the Commonwealth Economic Development Authority on a qualifying certificate and with the Department of Public Lands on a lease of more than five hectares, which would require legislative approval.
Asked about priorities if elected, Attao said the first 100 days would focus on government efficiency. “If we don’t start with efficiency, we’re not going to get to the other stuff,” he said, adding that the government must collect what it is owed and pay what it owes on time.
Both said the campaign was put on hold when Sinlaku approached and that their focus has been recovery, with Attao thanking CUC crews, the Guam Power Authority and responding organizations. The two closed with congratulations to the CNMI’s graduating students.
