Senate president: Fono will approve $36 Mil bill since IP was appointed

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — After the Senate’s rejection of the administration bill requesting the appropriation of $36 million in surplus revenues to supplement the Fiscal Year 2023 Budget last year, Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean yesterday morning declared that the Fono would approve it.

Tuaolo’s declaration of approval, yesterday, was made during the opening of the Second Special Session of the 38th Legislature at the Senate chambers, attended by Governor Lemanu P. S. Mauga, Lt. Governor La’apui E. T. Ale, members of the House of Representatives, and government directors and officials.

Governor Lemanu P.S. Mauga addresses the Fono during the opening of the Second Special Session of the 38th Legislature on Monday. [photo: Asi A. Fa’asau]

The bill has been re-introduced and is one of three items forwarded for the Fono’s consideration during the Second Special Session.

Before the initial introduction of the bill in the Senate last September, Tuaolo had informed members that the $36 million had already been used by the administration.

He said the governor had revealed this to him and Speaker Savali Talavou Ale in a meeting the previous day.

This had provoked the ire of the senators because there had been no Fono authorization as required under the law and subsequently, a Senate Resolution had been introduced and passed requesting the attorney general to petition the Chief Justice to appoint an independent prosecutor to investigate how the funds had been spent.

And, earlier this month, Attorney General Fainu’ulelei Alailima-Utu formally filed an application to the High Court for the appointment of an Independent Prosecutor regarding the Treasurer’s alleged violation of the anti-deficiency law under the American Samoa Code Annotated (ASCA) 10.0601.

However, during yesterday’s opening of the Second Special Session, staunch supporters of the resolution were stunned to hear the Senate president’s declaration of support for the bill.

Tuaolo began his speech by reminding everyone that yesterday (Palm Sunday), Christians here and around the world had celebrated Jesus’ kingly entrance into Jerusalem on a donkey, as the crowds hailed Him as their king and savior.

Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean speaks during the opening of the Second Special Session of the 38th Legislature on Monday. [photo: Asi A. Fa’asau]

“Likewise, the Fono will respond in a kingly manner to the governor’s request,” he began.

“You have heard the governor’s request regarding the bill for the appropriation of the $36 million surplus.

“We rejected it last year because of certain reasons.

“This morning however, the Fono is ready to approve this request.

“Why?

“Because the Chief Justice has approved our resolution and has appointed an independent prosecutor to investigate the matter.”

Tuaolo told the governor that his administration is not permanent, and American Samoa’s name and reputation is very important to the Fono as is no doubt the case to the governor and lt. governor.

The Senate president pointed out that if government books are not closed, meaning if government financial records for the previous financial year are not finalized by the end of this week, the government’s chances of receiving future funds from the federal government will be jeopardized.

Members of the Senate and House of Representatives during the opening of the Second Special Session of the 38th Legislature on Monday. [photo: Asi A. Fa’asau]

He emphasized that the matter must be put to rest and urged Fono members to support the decision in order to ensure the smooth running of government operations.

The other two items to be considered in the Second Special Session include appropriating the sum of $700,000 from unobligated and unexpended revenues from FY 2022 to supplement FY 2024 budget and, Board and Appointment Nominations, including but not limited to Administrative Law Judge.

Governor Lemanu in his speech prior to Tuaolo’s remarks yesterday morning explained that the sum of $700,000 from unobligated and unexpended revenues from FY 2022 will be used to fund American Samoa participation in the upcoming 13th Festival of Pacific Arts hosted by Hawaii in June and the Samoa Heritage Week also held in the Sunshine State.

Tuaolo stated that many Fono members are planning to attend these events and return in time for the Legislature to reconvene in July.

Government directors. CEOS and senior officials who attended the opening of the Second Special Session of the 38th Legislature on Monday. [photo: Asi A. Fa’asau]