Senate Pres: Fono Didn’t Ask for Money

gaoteote

The checks for lawmakers‘ offices dominated discussion in the Senate yesterday, with two senior senators, Tuaolo Manaia Fruean and Nuanuaolefeagaiga Saoluaga Nua announcing that they are returning their $10,000 checks.

Tuaolo, after apologizing if what he was going to say would not sit well with some, informed the Senate President and senators that he only saw the check that Senate Secretary Leoo Vaa Ma’o delivered him on Friday.

The Pago Pago senator apologized and said, “There’s nothing wrong, but upon seeing my check I am officially returning it. It’s not that I want to be righteous, or that I have a lot of money. I asked the secretary what the checks were for and he said it’s to improve our offices. My home is good. My office is the telephone.”

He added that he hasn’t gone to the paper or the radio but is making his statements about the check in the chamber.

Senate President Pro Tem Nuanuaolefeagaiga Saoluaga Nua prefaced his comments with a question on the government’s preparations to protect the territory from the coronavirus pandemic and whether we are ready to handle any confirmed cases.

He was concerned about protections for medical personnel who will tend to the care of coronavirus patients.

Nua said he’s also been told that employees directly involved in health services related to he pandemic haven’t received overtime pay.

“My question is, is it right for us to receive this money for offices when these workers haven’t been paid?he asked.

The Manu’a senator announced that he was returning his check to be used for the intended purpose, which is for preparations for the arrival of the disease.

He said he may be questioned later on about how this money was used because it wasn’t supposed to go towards offices.

Nua also pointed out that the Fono’s budget is all locally funded and although its been a few years since the old Fono building was demolished they are still receiving office expense allowances.

He insisted that the funding was intended to go towards preparations to protect the territory from the coronavirus pandemic.

Senate President Gaoteote Palaie Tofau then announced that following the session they will discuss the checks further.

During the post session meeting, the Senate leader said the Fono did not ask for this money.

He explained that when they, he and the House Speaker, met with Governor Lolo, he said that every department is getting funding from the COVID money. But there’s funding from the Relief Fund of $35 million of which half a million will be given to the Judiciary and the same amount will be given to the Fono since there was a previous request for offices for the Fono.

“This is not new,” said Gaoteote. “We are not children…just sitting around without any offices.”

He told senators that he didn’t know checks would be issued individually. He said the plan was for each legislator to look for their own office and this money would be Used to buy furniture and cover other expenses.

He continued that he could easily make a decision for them all but the collective wish of senators is very important to him.

Gaoteote said he was also holding on to his check.

The Senate President, a candidate for governor dispelled suggestions that there was any relation between the checks and the campaign.

He said he will not make a decision in his favor and benefits him, that the dignity and respect of the Fono is more important to him.

Gaoteote expressed sadness that there seemed to be a division in the Senate over this money with some senators declaring they are returning Their checks.

He said he explained the purpose of the checks the day they were distributed and not one of them said they were returning their checks. Tuaolo and Nua were absent that day.

Gaoteote said the checks are not to be used for faalavelave but For senators to improve their offices and if they want to rent office space close to the Fono, that would be allowed.

He told senators “we are old and should think like elderly fathers.”

He said some senators have gone on the radio and taken photos, “while I’m sitting here. I serve you from this chair.”

Senators Tuiagamoa Tavai, Fa’amausili Mau Mau Jr and Logoai Siaki expressed their support for the Senate President and thanked him for his patience in dealing with this issue.

Tuiagamoa said the statements made about returning the checks do not sit well with him because it goes against the decision of the governor.

Tuiagamoa also felt that $10,000 wasn’t enough for their offices.

He said it should be $10,000 a year for the last four years that they have been without offices.

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