“Unnecessary” and “a violation of standing rules”.

That’s what former Speaker, Therese Terlaje, had to say about Speaker Frank Blas Jr.’s week-long hold on bill processing.

She expressed in a letter to the 38th that there is no valid excuse for such a delay and that legislature staff is fully capable of proceeding with processing bills.

The Senator added, “The Standing Rules, adopted by the 38th Guam Legislature on January 6, make no mention of any delay in processing. The legislature’s central offices were left intact, including phone systems and internet service.”

In response, Vice Speaker Tony Ada, Oversight Chair for the Committee on Rules, said the new majority is ready to move forward but faces logistical challenges.

“You know, it’s really unfortunate that she had to go that route. All she had to do was pick up the phone and ask what’s going on,” said Ada. “We were ready to get to work. The problem was that the Speaker’s office didn’t have any telephones or internet. In the offices that we occupy, the telephones got disconnected because they took their numbers with them. So, was it our doing? Absolutely not.”

Ada adds the democrat majority didn’t move out of the Congress building until Jan. 3, with the 38th sworn in just days later.

“They knew they lost the election in November and should’ve started looking for office space since November 6th,”said Ada.

And while some senators are still waiting to get started, Senator Joe San Agustin is taking action early, pushing forward with his “bills to open the new legislative term.”

With the clock ticking, both sides are under pressure to move past these initial setbacks and deliver results for their constituents.

Sabina Perez press release

On Thursday, Senator Sabina Flores Perez reaffirmed her commitment to bold leadership with the introduction of seven landmark bills aimed at advancing government accountability, public safety, equity and sustainability. Now in her fourth term, this legislative package reflects Perez’s proactive and comprehensive approach to addressing the island’s most pressing challenges.

“The people of Guam deserve a government that acts decisively and with purpose. These bills demonstrate my commitment to creating a safer, fairer, and more efficient community for all of us,” Senator Perez said.

Accountability and Transparency
To ensure greater accountability in government operations, Senator Perez introduced:

Audit Recommendations Implementation: This bill gives the Public Auditor the authority to enforce audit recommendations, ensuring agencies follow through on corrective action plans.

Judicial Review Clarity: Streamlined procedures for reviewing procurement appeals will reduce delays and increase the efficiency of government operations.

Merit System Reporting: New reporting requirements will promote fairness in government hiring by addressing the overuse of unclassified appointments.

Public Safety Enhancements
Improving safety and operational efficiency is at the heart of:

Streetlight Fund Update: This measure guarantees funding for timely streetlight installation and maintenance, enhancing road safety for motorists and pedestrians.

Equity and Social Justice
Recognizing the importance of fairness and opportunity, the senator proposed:

Housing Anti-Discrimination Act: This groundbreaking legislation combats housing discrimination by prohibiting biases against tenants based on their income source.

Universal Garbage Collection: A comprehensive island-wide plan that lowers waste collection costs while offering discounted rates for low-income households.

Environmental Protection
Reaffirming her commitment to safeguarding Guam’s natural resources, Senator Perez advanced:

Environmental Trust Fund Bill: Strengthening funding for the Guam Environmental Protection Agency to bolster compliance compliance and enforcement of Guam environmental laws to protect our aquifer and Guam’s abundant water resources, curbs illegal dumping in order to protect the health of our people and environment for ours and future generations.

“A Vision for Guam’s Future”
Senator Perez emphasized that these bills are just the beginning. “We are building a foundation for long-term progress. These measures reflect bold action, not just to solve today’s issues, but to create a Guam where transparency, safety, equity, and sustainability are the norm—not the exception.”

With this ambitious legislative package, Senator Perez invites community engagement and encourages residents to share their perspectives. “Your voices are critical in shaping these policies. Together, we can ensure these bills address the real needs of our people,” she added.

For more information on these bills or to provide input, please contact the Office of Senator Sabina Flores Perez at office.senatorperez@guamlegislature.org

Sen. Joe San Agustin press release

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Sen. Telo Taitague press release