FONO elects their leaders for the next 4 years

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — No disputes occurred yesterday morning when the 18-member Senate took the oath of office in a ceremony which was presided over by Chief Justice Lealaialoa Michael Kruse that started 12:00 noon.

Additionally, after all the senators took their oath, they then elected veteran politician and lawmaker, Sen. Tuaolo Vaivao Manaia Fruean to be their leader for the next four years.

SENATE PRESIDENT

The swearing-in ceremony began with a prayer by acting Senate Secretary, Leoo V. Ma’o followed by the appointment of Sen. Tuaolo as the acting Senate President to lead the ceremony.

Tuaolo appointed a 3-member Credential Committee to review the selection of each senator by their their district — whether they met all the requirements pursuant to the Constitution of American Samoa. The committees includes Sen. Uti Petelo; Sen. Magalei Logovii and Sen. Malaepule S. Moliga.

The committee only took over 15 minutes to review the selection of all the senators and returned with a report stating that the 18 Senators met all requirements to ‘sit’ in the Senate.

Sen. Malaepule nominated Tuaolo as the new senate president and the nomination was seconded by Sen. Faiivae.

When asked if there’s any other nominations, Sen. Tuiagamoa rose and spoke about the role of the senate president.

He said that after he was re-selected by his district to continue with the seat for another 4 years, he was told by his district to present their voice to the Senate of how they feel about the role of the senate president.

Tuiagamoa stated that in the past, Paramount Chiefs and High Chiefs from each District were selected by their tradition leaders to take over their seat in the senate. He also believed that this must be the same way the senate president post must selected. He further explained why people believe that only paramount chiefs and high chiefs of Samoa can take seats in the Senate.

“That’s why senators are not elected by vote because our people strongly support our Constitution that senators must be selected by traditional leaders in the FaaSamoa. So, I strongly believe that the seat of the senate president must also selected in the traditional way and let us give the chance to the Chiefs in the chamber such as Paramount Chief Satele or other High Chiefs to become the next leader of the Senate,” Tuiagamoa said.

Tuiagamoa said that Sen. Satele is the only Paramount Chief in the Senate, however if Satele rejected the offer to become the senate president, then he will support the nomination of Sen. Tuaolo to be the new president.

He said that Tuaolo is like a close friend to him and he has nothing against him. He commended Tuaolo as one of the longest serving leaders in the government, someone who never backs down when ever he wanted to speak about an essential matter.

Tuiagamoa stated that he doesn’t want money to be the reason of not doing the right thing because money is the root of all evil.

Sen. Satele thanked Tuiagamoa for giving him the utmost respect. He said that he supported Tuaolo to be the senate president because he believes that Tuaolo has the potential and the leadership skills.

Sen. Togiola T. A Tulafono echoed Satele’s statement and supported the nominating of Tuaolo to be the next senate president.

The swearing-in began with a prayer by acting Secretary of the Senate, Leoo V. Ma’o, followed by the oath of office administered by Associate Justice Fiti A. Sunia.

Only one name was presented for Chief Clerk of the Senate and that was Leoo V. Ma’o and similarly for Sergeant-at-Arms, to which Vaifale Vaifale has been re-elected.

List of Senators for the 37th Legislature.

District No. 1: Tauiliili Lauifi P. and Ma’o Faauma S. Gogo; District No. 2: Malaepule S. Moliga; District No. 3: Satele Aliitai Lili’o; District No. 4 Utu Sila Poasa; District No. 5: Muagututi’a Tauoa; District No. 6 Togiola T. A Tulafono; District No. 7: Uti Petelo; District No. 8: Tuaolo M. Fruean; District No. 9: Fano Mitch Shimasaki; District No. 10: Soliai T. Fuimaono and Alo Dr. Paul Stevenson; District No. 11: Magalei Logovii; District No. 12: Fonoti Tafaifa Aufata; District No. 13: Tuiagamoa Tavai; District No. 14: Satele Galu Satele; District No. 15: Faiivae Iuli Godinet; District No. 16: Ponemafua Tapeni

LONGEST SERVING MEMBER OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES RE-ELECTED SPEAKER

As expected, Savali Talavou Ale retained the Speaker’s seat. 19 voting members of the 21-member House of Representatives voted for Savali Talavou Ale of Alataua District to serve as Speaker in the 37th Legislature.

His was the only name nominated for the office.

Representative Faimealelei Anthony Fu’e Allen nominated Savali and the nomination was seconded by Representative Lavea Fatulegae’e P. Mauga.

Due to limited space in the temporary House chamber in the north wing of the Gov. H. Rex Lee Auditorium, only one family member of each faipule was allowed to witness the swearing-in while the rest sat in tents outside.

The secret ballot was conducted and there were 19 votes for Savali. It was suppose to be 20 votes but one representative is stuck off island due to the closure of borders.

The Swains faipule does not have a vote.

Only one name was presented for Chief Clerk of the House and that was Vaiaitu Mulinuu Maluia and similarly for Sergeant-at-Arms, to which Line Olo has been re-elected.

The swearing-in began with a prayer by Reverend Faalili Otineru of the CCCAS Fagalii, followed by the oath of office administered by Chief Associate Judge Mamea Sala Jr.

Election Commissioner Dr. Lealofi Uiagalelei presented the certification of election results verifying that all House members had been duly elected in the November 6, 2020 elections.

Speaker Savali thanked his colleagues for their trust and confidence in him to lead the House again. He expressed thanks to God and to the House members for the opportunity to serve the territory.

Savali was in tears when he delivered his speech. He told the representatives that he will depend on God’s guidance to lead the House for the next two years.

“Thank you for trusting me. I’m just a humble servant but your support will be a key role for our success. Let’s come together as leaders of this nation and work together for the better future of our people and our country,” Savaili said.

He was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1981. Savali, who has never lost re-election, has been re-elected to the House during each successive general election from the 1980s to 2020 — making him the House's longest serving representative.

On November 7, 2006 incumbent Speaker Matagi Mailo Ray McMoore lost re-election to the House of Representatives in the general election and Savali, who was Vice Speaker of the House from 2005 to 2007, was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives in January 2007 after he received eleven more votes than his opponent, longtime Rep. Gaoteote Palaie Tofau, who was later selected as Senator for Vaifanuatele District in 2008 and became Senate President for three consecutive terms from 2009- 2020.

He has continued to hold on to the Speakership with few challenges, and has become known for his ability to parlay the House of Representation to ‘one voice’ through Committee assignments.

List of Representatives of the 37th Legislature.

District No. 1 - Manu’a: Fetui F. Fetui Jr and Alumamalu Ale Sea Filoiali’i; District No. 2 - Manu’a: Tiaoalii Fau T. Sai; District No. 3 - Vaifanua: Lavea Fatulegae’e Palepoi Mauga; District No. 4 - Saole: Titiali’i Kitara Vaiau; District No. 5 - Sua #1: Lua’itaua Gene Pan; District No. 6 - Sua #2: Avagafono Tuavao Vaimaga Maiava; District No. 7 - Maoputasi #1: Vailoata Eteuati Amituana’i; District No. 8 - Maoputasi #2: Vailiuama Steve Leasiolagi; District No. 9 - Maoputasi #3: Vesia’i Poyer Samuelu; District No. 10 - Maoputasi #4: Vaetasi Tuumolimoli S. Moliga; District No. 11 - Maoputasi #5: Faimealelei Anthony Fu’e Allen; District No. 12 - Ituau: Manumaua Wayne Wilson and Logoituau Mark Timoteo Atafua; District No. 13 - Fofo: Andra Tereise Samoa; District No. 14 - Savali Talavou Ale; District No. 15 - Tualauta Larry Sanitoa and Samuel Ioka Ale Meleisea; District No. 16 - Tualatai: Manavaalofa Tutuila Manase; District No. 17 - Leasina: Ape Mike Asifoa; Swains Delegate: Su’a Alexander Eli Jennings