Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Four members of the public testified before the Senate Rules Committee on Wednesday morning regarding the proposed bill to amend the law, allowing for separate election races for the Governor and the Lieutenant Governor, and a second bill  to amend qualifications for candidates running for Governor and Lt. Governor.

Additionally, written testimonies from individuals residing off-island were addressed during the public hearing.

Before calling the witnesses, Committee Chairman Senator Magalei Logovii gave the floor to the bills' sponsor, Senator Togiola T.A. Tulafono, to explain the detailed reasons behind the bills.

Togiola stated that this is a complex issue that has been included in past elections but has always been rejected by voters. He explained that the most common reason for the rejection is the fear that separate elections would be divisive and cause discord between the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, which in turn would affect the smooth running of the government.

However, Togiola shared his belief that the current election process of running mates stunts the development of potential leaders among the younger generation. He argued that it makes it harder for young people who aspire to run for Lt. Governor to step forward and make their aspirations known.

He reasoned that if both positions were elected separately, it would provide an opportunity for anyone who wants to run to showcase their skills, educational achievements, and other capabilities, making their leadership qualities known to voters.

He mentioned, if that individual gets elected as Lt. Governor and decides to run for Governor in the future, the voters will have already formed their own judgment on whether he would be a suitable choice to lead the government.

Senator Togiola highlighted a significant issue with the current voting process, where the Governor and Lt. Governor run as a team. He argued that this system often sidelines the Lt. Governor, leaving him or her in the background while the Governor takes center stage in the public eye and makes all major decisions.

He emphasized the need to revisit this matter, urging senators to consider whether it is time to reform the election process.

"The current system prevents even the most qualified and capable individuals from showcasing their leadership qualities and achievements to voters unless they are chosen as a running mate by a gubernatorial candidate," Senator Togiola stated.

Senator Togiola further explained that if the bill allowing for the separate election of Governor and Lt. Governor is passed, the Legislature would then need to enact laws defining the specific duties and responsibilities of the Lt. Governor.

Togiola highlighted that this is how government operates in the US states where the Governor and Lt. Governor are elected separately, allowing voters to better assess whether the Lt. Governor is fulfilling their mandated duties and responsibilities as outlined in their job description.

He also noted that the position of Lt. Governor was originally referred to as the Secretary of the Territory, with secretarial duties distinct from the shared responsibilities with the Governor.

The former Governor explained that the proposed separate election of these two positions would assign greater responsibility to the Lt. Governor, enabling them to focus on their mandated duties, while the Governor concentrates on their own priorities to ensure the smooth operation of the government.

He reminded the gathering that the laws enacted by the Fono to define the specific duties and responsibilities of the Lt. Governor would also set the boundaries of the Lt. Governor's authority in the running of government.

However, in the event of disagreements, Togiola emphasized that the law grants the Governor the final authority on all decisions.

Additionally, the second bill proposes that candidates for the offices of Governor and Lt. Governor must be either U.S. citizens or U.S. nationals of American Samoan ancestry. This ancestry is defined as individuals of American Samoan descent born in American Samoa, Swains Island, or the United States.

Candidates must also meet residency requirements, having lived in American Samoa for at least 24 consecutive months and for a total of at least five years before filing a petition to run for either office.

Togiola emphasized that the primary objective of this bill is to ensure that the highest offices in the American Samoa Government remain under the stewardship of the sons and daughters of American Samoa.

He expressed concern that these positions could eventually be occupied by individuals born in the Territory to non-Samoan parents. Togiola highlighted the significant increase in the number of foreigners residing in American Samoa, whose children, born locally, are now U.S. nationals and eligible to vote.

"My concern is that our children and descendants may be relegated to the background while the government is led by wealthy individuals who are not Samoan," Togiola stated. "This is a critical issue because, once our government is compromised in this way, our culture and way of life will suffer irreparable harm.

"This may not happen in our lifetime, but what about 20 years from now? I firmly believe we must address this possibility now. We cannot afford complacency, as their numbers grow each year, and there will come a time when they dominate the voting process.

Senator Togiola also referenced Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean's warning about this pressing issue. Tuaolo cautioned that, one day, non-Samoans could occupy seats in the House of Representatives, representing districts and villages without any understanding of Samoan customs and traditions.

"What happens then?" Togiola asked. "They won't understand our needs because they are not Samoan, and matters related to our culture will be sidelined."

He concluded by urging senators and the public, including those on social media, to reflect deeply on this issue. Togiola stressed that the heritage and birthright of future generations of American Samoa are at stake.

MAMEA TA'ALA:

Mamea Ta'ala. [photo: Asi A. Fa'asau]

Mamea Ta'ala, a Samoan national who spent over 20 years living in the Territory and now resides in Hawaii, expressed his opposition to the proposed bill. He argued that the younger generation, influenced by Western ideologies, would disregard the wisdom and guidance of elders and the government.

They would not have the same respect for our culture and traditions, he said.

The retired mechanic shared his primary concern with senators: the preservation of Samoan culture and traditions. He highlighted that the voting age of 18 posed a challenge, as someone that young, even if elected to a significant position, might struggle to gain respect due to their age and perceived lack of understanding of Samoan heritage and customs.

President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean asked the witness what part of the Samoan culture would be affected if the Governor and Lt. Governor were voted separately. Ta'ala replied that if an 18 year-old who was not a matai was elected, he would not know anything about the Samoan values of service and respect afforded to the chiefs and orators.

Tuaolo then asked what he would say if his son or daughter had aspirations to run for Lt. Governor. Ta'ala contradicted himself by replying that he would encourage them to run for office. When Tuaolo pointed this out, Ta'ala reiterated that he does not support the bill and that if his son or daughter wanted to run, he would advice them to run but remember to prioritize Samoan culture and traditions.

When Senator Togiola pursued the contradiction saying that he should support the bill, Ta'ala retracted his answer saying that his eight children all live in the States and that they have no aspirations to return to the Territory.  

Togiola pointed out that when the Territory first elected its Governor and LT, Governor, voters chose a non-matai to be Governor and the same candidate was re-elected in the second election in 1980. Togiola stated that voters had voted for the non-matai because they wanted a young educated person to run the government.

JAMES L. McGUIRE:

James L. McGuire. [photo: Asi A. Fa'asau]

Long-time resident James McGuire preferred to maintain the status quo because he said the Governor and Lt. Governor needed to work as a team.

"The big problem with this in my point of view is the separation of powers,” he began. "The historical position since we've elected Governors in 1977 up until now, there has been differences between Governors and Lt. Governors but they are a team and they really need to work together because when the Governor is off-island, the Lt. Governor should be following in his footsteps and not take off in a different direction."

He stated that the population of American Samoans is shrinking because most go off to the mainland after high school and many don't return to live. Meanwhile, the void created by this trend is being filled by people from other countries whose children are born here and become US nationals. He stated that their number is growing steadily and something must be done to curb the entry of aliens.

Regarding the qualifications for the Governor and Lt. Governor, McGuire did not agree with the requirement that candidates have to reside in the Territory for a period of five years before filing a petition to run. He said five years was too long and the required time should be shortened.

McGuire commended the Senate for making their proceedings available to the public because the only way to get people to be involved in their government was to educate and encourage them to appear in public hearings like this to voice their opinions if they want to run for office.

Senator Togiola reiterated that the main concern he has is the suppression of the talents of the young people … if they are not selected to be a running mate in the elections.

"The goal is to open the forum to young people because this may be the only avenue they can demonstrate their knowledge, talents and desire to serve by offering themselves to public forums such as an election," Togiola explained.

 "The spirit of this bill is to extend that invitation so that the country will have a broader view of our potential leaders that are out there but there is no way we can see them because they are practically invisible. If they are invisible, there is nothing they can do, and there is nothing we can do."

PA'U ROY AUSAGE:

Pa'u Roy Ausage. [photo: Asi A. Fa'asau]

Pa'u Roy Ausage, a national of Independent Samoa, proposed amending the requirement for the Governor and Lt. Governor to have American Samoa ancestry, suggesting it be broadened to include Samoan ancestry. He referenced a similar change made to the criteria for directors of government departments, offices, and agencies.

Ausage expressed his gratitude to the senators for approving this earlier amendment, which acknowledged the military service of U.S. nationals born to parents who were both nationals of Samoa. He emphasized the importance of recognizing such contributions in shaping the Territory's leadership.

(Samoa News should point out that there has been some push back about those from Samoa ‘taking’ government jobs from American Samoa nationals.)

FONOTI DOUGLAS JESSOP:

Fonoti Douglas Jessop. [photo: Asi A. Fa'asau]

Fonoti Douglas Jessop stressed the necessity of unity between the Governor and Lt. Governor, asserting that the Governor must have the full support of their running mate. He warned that discord between the two leaders would create instability for the Territory. By requiring the two to run as a team, Fonoti argued, the Governor could select the most suitable candidate to collaboratively lead the Territory.

Fonoti introduced the Samoan term "va'ava'alua", which translates to rowing or working together in mutual support. He explained that electing the two positions separately would result in two leaders metaphorically rowing separate boats, undermining the Territory's progress.

He further reasoned that the government should reflect Samoan cultural values, which are rooted in the family structure led by a single Sa'o or matai, rather than divided leadership.

The hearing concluded with Senator Togiola announcing that the committee would not make an immediate decision.

He invited anyone with opinions on the proposed bill to submit written testimonies to the Senate.