Pundits predict Rep. Savali will yet again be Speaker in 37th Legislature

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Just a month after the election was held, Rep. Savali Talavou Ale appears to have a majority lined up on his side to retain the House Speaker’s post when faipule for the 37th Legislature are sworn in Jan. 3rd, 2021. However, according to their constituents, three faipule are backing another candidate.

Two faipule who support Savali for the leadership role told Samoa News that they have met several times since the election was over and it appears that Savali will be retaining the Speaker’s post for the next two years.

“The majority of faipule have shown their support for Savali to continue the leadership role and we all agreed that he’s the only suitable candidate for the leadership role for the House for the next two years,” one faipule told Samoa News.

The other faipule stated that out of 20 faipule eligible to vote on who will be the Speaker of the House, only a few are not supporting Savali for the post.

The swearing-in ceremony usually commences around noon for the 21-member House of Representatives. Thereafter, the 20-elected House members proceed to vote for the next Speaker. (The Swains Island delegate does not vote on the floor, which includes the vote for Speaker.)

Based on information received by Samoa News, as of last Friday afternoon, Savali is poised to be re-elected, with a 17-member majority that includes 4 incumbents and faipule-elect.

A group of three — which includes one incumbent and two faipule-elect — has not joined the majority, maintaining the stance they have taken since election, that “it's time for a change", according to information received by Samoa News.

The group has already decided on their candidate to nominate for House Speaker, although they did not reveal who this is.

The three members believe there should be accountability in the Fono when it comes to addressing issues, legislation and other important matters presented by the Executive Branch for lawmakers to review and consider. 

This is according to individuals who are either relatives or constituents of the three-members who spoke with Samoa News, last week and over the weekend. 

“These three faipule have a lot of respect for Savali as a leader and one of the longest serving members of the House of Representatives, however, they believe that it’s time for changes. The Fono needs new leaders with new ideas to lead the Fono and to bring transparency and accountability to the fono’s daily tasks,” one constituent told Samoa News.

“There is a lot of legislation still pending in the Fono that needs to be passed, such as the legislation to repeal the 2% wages tax that goes to the LBJ, the bill to change the tax table for American Samoa, and many other issues.”

“Fono leaders need to look at some of this pending legislation very carefully when the fono gets back to its daily tasks next month and make a decision whether to pass or not.”

Samoa News notes that Savali has been faipule for Alataua County since 1981.

It has been the usual pattern over the years that those who support the elected Speaker get a chairmanship in standing committees; while those who don’t — get only to sit as a member for either one or two committees.

However in 2018, four faipule who reportedly did not support him, got no committee appointments. Rep. Vailoata Eteuati Amituana’I, Larry Sanitoa, Vesiai Poyer Samuelu and Andra Samoa were not given chairmanship or membership roles in any of the 16 standing House committees for the 36th Legislature.

Besides voting on a Speaker, the House will also elect the House chief clerk and sergeant-at-arms, according to the local Constitution.