ATTORNEY General Edward Manibusan said it is his legal opinion that the tie-breaking rule of the House of Representatives âcontravenesâ the CNMI Constitution.
He said due to the importance of resolving the issue, a certified question petition to the local Supreme Court âis recourse that may be explored.â
The House minority bloc sought the AGâs opinion on the tie-breaking provision of the new House rules that was invoked by the House leadership in passing House Bill 22-33 last month.
The measure, which would require legislative appropriation for the $515 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds provided to the CNMI, âpassedâ the House after Speaker Edmund Villagomez voted twice to break the 10-10 tie.