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Pacific Islands Development Program, East-West Center With Support From Center for Pacific Islands Studies, University of Hawai‘i

Most Overtime
Treasurer: majority of overtime pay can be covered

By Fili Sagapolutele

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa (The Samoa News, June 4, 2013) – More than $600,000 in overtime was incurred by the American Samoa Government (ASG) during the first six months of the current fiscal year, 2013, with a majority of it occurring during the previous administration, says ASG Treasurer Dr. Falema’o ‘Phil’ M. Pili in a memo included in the Treasury Department’s 100-days report submitted to the Governor’s Office.

Treasury’s analysis of overtime covers the period of Oct. 1, 2012 up to Apr. 8, 2013 with the total overtime at $616,519.61. Of the total overtime, $376,076.96 or 61% took place during the Togiola Administration and $240,442.65, or 39% is attributed to the current administration, said Pili.

For revenues collected...

Pacific Islands Development Program, East-West Center With Support From Center for Pacific Islands Studies, University of Hawai‘i

PNG Police
Officers allegedly threatened 74 at gunpoint before assault

By Imelda Wavik

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (PNG Post-Courier, June 5, 2013) – Seventy-four men have joined with the Lutheran Church to bring a class action against Papua New Guinea’s police and government after becoming victims of a mass police brutality in Port Moresby recently.

The men, all residents at Saraga settlement at 6-Mile in National Capital District, are nursing their injuries at the Lutheran care center at Six Mile after being brutally beaten and injured by policemen.

It is alleged that these men were returning from Eight-Mile settlement after retaliating following the death of a relative when they were assaulted by officers in five police vehicles near Erima. A victim, Okom Geso, told the Post-Courier that they were...

Pacific Islands Development Program, East-West Center With Support From Center for Pacific Islands Studies, University of Hawai‘i

News Release

Asian Development Bank Honiara, Solomon Islands

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Processes

Consultations began yesterday in Honiara on an updated Customs and Excise Act which will boost trade and lift the economy in the Solomon Islands.

"The overall reform of customs is essential to the Solomon Islands economy that relies on the flow of imports and exports," said Hayden Everett, Solomon Islands Country Team Leader at the Asian Development Bank (ADB). "The new law will also boost the ease of conducting business in country."

The new customs act aims to be regionally and internationally relevant and reflect modern approaches to customs processes. The Customs and Excise Bill was drafted with technical support from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and funded by the Pacific Private Sector Development...

Pacific Islands Development Program, East-West Center With Support From Center for Pacific Islands Studies, University of Hawai‘i

Attorney
Song Ja Cha’s 7th lawyer revealed potential conflict of interest

By Gina Tabonares-Reilly

HAGÅTÑA, Guam (Marianas Variety Guam, June 7, 2013) – On Guam, Song Ja Cha, the Blue House lounge owner, will be represented by a new lawyer after her seventh court-appointed defense attorney withdrew from the five-year-old case due to conflict of interest.

Cha, who is facing a prostitution case with two policemen – David Q. Manila and Anthony Quenga – will have Atty. Julian Aguon as her eighth lawyer after Atty. Mark Smith advised the court that his mother is related to the mother of defendant Quenga.

Judge Anita Sukola said the court has exhausted the court appointment felony listing and has now started tapping the general panel of attorneys who are members of the Guam Bar Association.

The court started...