Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Swains Islands faipule Su’a Alex Eli Jennings has expressed disappointment over the lack of transparency by the current administration regarding correspondence with the Secretary of the U.S Dept. of Interior over the latest developments in the five amendments to the Revised Constitution of American Samoa.

“Why is it that we have to hear about the official correspondences between the Governor and the Secretary of the Interior on these important issues through the Samoa News?” asked Su’a.

He said such correspondence should be made available to the fiapule.

“I was shocked to read about the letters in the Samoa News outlining the amendments, yet we should also be kept in the loop. These are matters pertaining to the American Samoa Constitution therefore it is vital that we are also privy to this information.”

The Swains faipule requested a hearing and concluded by asking for copies of the correspondence from the Governor’s office.

Su’a was referring to the five constitutional amendments approved by voters last year now being reviewed by the Secretary of the U.S. Dept. of Interior for approval, before becoming part of the American Samoa Constitution.

Governor Lemanu P. S. Mauga during his State of the Territory address to officially open the first session of the 38th Legislature said the amendments have been transmitted to the Secretary of Interior, Deb Haaland. “The people of American Samoa have spoken,” stated Governor Lemanu in his letter of submission.

“We ask that you support these amendments and take such actions as may be necessary and appropriate to bring them into effect… and to facilitate the will of our people.”

Enclosed in the letter to Secretary Haaland was a letter from the Chief Election Officer with the results of the constitutional referendum; the text of the Revised Constitution of American Samoa incorporating the text of the approved five amendments; and the report of the 2022 Constitutional Convention.

“Included in the report of the 2022 Constitutional Convention is the text of the Revised Constitution of American Samoa that incorporated the eleven amendments that were approved by the Convention as well as Executive Orders 001-22, 006-22, and 007-22.”

During the session this past week, Speaker of the House Savali Talavou Ale said the House has no authority over the work by the newspaper.

However pertaining to the letters mentioned by Su’a, the faipule were reminded that there are protocols in place when such letters are required and that’s through the House clerk.

 “But a hearing is not necessary,” said the Speaker.

One of the amendments that’s been submitted to the Interior is the right for the Swains faipule to vote in the House.

As reported earlier, Assistant Secretary Carmen G. Cantor of Insular and International Affairs (IIA) confirmed receiving the transmission of the five amendments to the Revised Constitution of American Samoa.

This was confirmed in a statement issued by the Office of the Governor this week.  “Your administration, your fellow elected and traditional leaders, and the people of American Samoa should be proud for conducting a process not just to allow, but to encourage the public to participate in shaping the future of the territory,” stated Assistant Secretary Cantor.

The Department of Interior has officially acknowledged the submission of the amendments and indicated the actions they will take.

“We will review the amendments you transmitted to the Secretary in the same spirit of respect for self-determination as well as the laws and policies of the federal government for appropriate action. We will keep you informed and consult as needed throughout that process,” Cantor stated.

BACKGROUND

The Constitutional Convention of 2022 recommended 11 amendments to be included on the referendum ballot of Nov. 8, 2022. The voters of American Samoa approved only five of the 11 amendments.

 “The amendments that were approved by the people of American Samoa were the Swains Island Amendment (#6), the Accountability Amendment (#8), the ASG to GAS Amendment (#9), the Ma’oputasi Amendment (#10), and the Leasina ma Aitulagi Amendment (#11).