CNMI Senators call on governor to deliver SOCA in joint session

01/30/25 - Senate President Dennis Mendiola and some fellow senators are calling on CNMI Gov. Arnold Palacios to deliver a State of the Commonwealth Address, or SOCA, in a joint session of the legislature.

In an interview with Marianas Press, Sen. Mendiola said, “It is fair for our people to see the state of the Commonwealth and hear it first hand.”Mendiola drafted a Senate Joint Resolution calling for Palacios to deliver critical information to the people directly amid an economic crisis.

“The people of the Commonwealth deserve to know what direction the Governor is taking to address our diminished general fund revenues; and, what are the plans to restore our tourism and travel industry to pre-pandemic numbers so that businesses can thrive and the government can provide the basic public services to our people,” the joint resolution states. Mendiola said he wants to promote transparency in government.

So far, Sen. Karl King-Nabors, Sen. Francisco Cruz, Sen. Ronnie Calvo, and Sen. Jude Hofschneider have signed the resolution. Article III, Section 9(b) of the CNMI Consitution states, “The governor shall report at least annually to the legislature regarding the affairs of the Commonwealth and new measures that are necessary or desirable. The report shall include a comprehensive annual financial report prepared in accordance with generally accepted governmental accounting principles.”

House Speaker Edmund Villagomez said he supports the resolution’s intent.

Marianas Press has reached out to the governor’s office for comment.