PROMESA

Bond parties say the board's failure to settle the PREPA bankruptcy has contributed to the system's unreliability.

At issue is whether PREPA bondholders may get a portion of the roughly $575 million available for unsecured claims against Puerto Rico's government

The bond parties argue that they are due the multi-billion-dollar fee from PREPA in addition to bond pricipal and interest.

Judge Laura Taylor Swain also approved the mediators hiring PJT Partners to be their financial advisor.

The Oversight Board's effort to confirm a "a legally infirm cramdown plan is patently flawed and will add years of litigation," the bondholders said.

The bankruptcy judge planned a hearing on the topic for March 19.

They say the reasons the court had given to continue the stay are no longer valid.

They say if the board continues its current approach there will be years more of litigation with outcomes showing the board's positions are "baseless."

The executive director of the Puerto Rico Oversight Board suggested non-settling bondholders might be offered recoveries of about 4% of the principal due.

U.S. District Court Judge Laura Taylor Swain extended the bankruptcy's litigation stay to March 24 as mediators expressed hope about progress on a deal.