Not all Manu’a senators agree on additional seats

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Manu’a senators spoke emphatically in support of a proposed constitutional amendment to add two senators for Manu’a.

The measure was discussed by the Senate Rules Committee chaired by Senator Magalei Logovii.

Senator Muagututia Tauoa was the first to express an opinion. Known for being direct and to the point he said the same issue was introduced by former Sen Nuanuaolefeagaiga Saoluaga Nua twice and was voted down,

He said if this proposal goes ahead and Manu’a gets two additional senators Tutuila, will want the same and they will end up with 50 senators.

The senior senator pointed to the new Fono building under construction and said the senate chamber has room for just 18 senators.

Manu’a senator Malaepule Saite Moliga spoke at length in support of the change saying that the original constitution provided 3 senators for each traditional district.

He said if they go by the change made in the 1960 constitutional convention to base senate seats o. Population the Eastern District and Manu’a District would lose seats while the Western District will have additional senators.

He said it’s not the numbers that are important to Manu’a but having equal representation in the Fono.

He quoted several times, “what is good for Tutuila should also be good for Manu’a.”

Senator Tuiagamoa Tavai echoed Senator Muagututia’s comments that the increase is not warranted and that districts on Tutuila would also want to increase their senate seats.

Senator Ma’o Gogo pleaded with their Tutuila and Aunuu colleagues to do what is right and give Manu’a back their seats which had been taken away for no reason.

Then one of the sponsors of the proposed constitutional change, Manu’a Rep? Tauiliili Lauifi proposed that they stop discussing the issue and give them a chance to talk about it.

He said he had no idea that Malaepule and Ma’o were going to propose such a change and they never discussed it with him.

Committee Chairman Sen. Magalei Logovii said he will make the decision for the committee. He then announced that they will defer the discussion for another day.