I TESTIFIED before the Senate’s EAGI Standing Committee for the rejection of Mr. Bruce Jorgensen who was nominated to the Commonwealth Ports Authority to represent the island of Rota. Primarily because I am convinced that he is not a bona fide resident of Rota or the CNMI in general. Premise…

IN the early 70s I worked three summers for various sections of what was then called the Department of Administrative Services in American Samoa:  Bank Reconciliation, Job Orders, and Evaluation of Cash Receipts Accounting Systems.  One thing I learned early and clearly was that governmental…

DEAR Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro:

DEAR Chairwoman Marissa R. Flores:

I HAVE received several messages from friends in the US and Australia regarding a recently released military issued video regarding the development of the Divert Facility on Tinian.

THIS October, the 17th Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Council, in cooperation with  American Memorial Park on Saipan, will hold In Memoriam, a  commemorative ceremony in remembrance of nearly a thousand Chamorro and Carolinian civilians who lost their lives during the fierce Battle of…

IT is good news that 2,500 homes will benefit from solar power grant. However, It is somehow tempered by the statement from the Office of Grants Management  that its implementation will have a fiscal impact on CUC.

AS public offices, we rely heavily on our stakeholders to make the events we sponsor meaningful to the public.  It is only through the numerous good deeds of our people and selfless contributions made by members of our business community that we are able to participate in events like the Lib…

THE CNMI recently lost a very hard-working and dedicated educator.  Master Teacher and Administrator Joaquina “Kinai” Deleon Guerrero Salas entered into the heavenly arms of the Good Lord on June 19, 2023, in San Diego, California. I still have her last email sent to me in early June where s…

THIS letter is to alarm our governor about the need to declare a state of emergency for medical referral purposes. We cannot afford to deny medical treatment to U.S. citizens living on Saipan.

1) WHAT does nature mean to you?

THE TRUTH of the matter is it took our nation 158 years to recognize slaves for their contribution to America with a holiday that is now being celebrated by all Americans regardless of their race. African-Americans are truly looked up-to in America by many and throughout the world with genui…

I WONDER how much money the Government could save if they simply disconnected all the phones in government offices where they sit unanswered.

CONGRATULATIONS to Ambrose Bennett and Lillian for your new civic appointment! Your personal histories and integrity are greatly needed. Yasuko and I support you and wish you well.

WE have an ancient culture in American Samoa, and our heritage is very important to us here and for our people living throughout the United States.

THIS is an open letter to the Honorable Shalanda D. Young, Director, Office of Management and Budget, Executive Office of the President;  the Honorable Richard Resvesz, Administrator, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Executive Office of the President; and the Honorable Bob Sivin…

ON behalf of the family, extended family, and countless friends of our dearest Celina Tilipao Mettao Setefano, who recently passed from us, to the eternal love of Jesus Christ Our Lord, this letter is written to express our warmest thanks, sincere appreciation, and utmost gratitude, to all o…

MY friend, John, is one of the most inspiring people I know. He's in a wheelchair, but he doesn't let that define him. He's independent, funny, and loves to have a good time. However, when it comes to accessing different facilities in our community, John faces countless obstacles. And with a…

ON behalf of Stephen Ambrose Historical Tours, our guests asked me to thank Mayor Camacho of Saipan, Mayor Aldan of Tinian, and the Marianas Visitors Authority for the efforts they made to clean the historic sites on Saipan and Tinian. From the peak of Tapochau to the Atomic Bomb Pits, these…

CNMI artists are in total disbelief after being informed that this year’s Flame Tree Arts Festival has been canceled without explanation as I’ve been informed by a reliable source.

NMI little league baseball deserves more than just a field in the back.  Chartered since 1972, the program has a rich, treasured history that has multiple Asia-Pacific championships and more than a thousand graduates.

THIS is regarding the 24 March 2023 Manila Standard opinion piece by Mr. Ernesto M. Hilario titled “Are we moving closer to energy security?” (https://manilastandard.net/opinion/314316361/are-we-moving-closer-to-energy-security.html).

EVERYONE appreciates the hard work news  reporters do reporting on events/issues affecting our CMMI communities.  I would like to bring up the news articles regarding retirees' pension. Many articles mention "additional"  25%.  It really is not additional.  Some years ago the retirees' pensi…

NO matter how you slice the cake it’s still a GOP-controlled government in the CNMI. The lies were confirmed with the recent junkets. It doesn't matter how they lie to us every day. The greed continues its infection. We go to college, come home and fool our destitute poor people.

HÅFA Adai Docomo Pacific subscribers.

THIS coming March 21st marks the 18th anniversary of World Down Syndrome Day, and for the 12th year in 2023, this day will be officially observed by the United Nations. The date, 21st of March, was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which …

LET me be clear. We all want a normal family life. So every day we wake up and go to work.

BY chance, I was driving north on Broadway when a jet took off from West Field and zoomed skyward, just like in the movies. It was an awesome moment.

AS we approach March, we begin a trifecta of disability awareness campaigns with Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month or DDAM being the kickstart to it all. March is nationally and locally celebrated as DDAM, with this year’s theme being “Beyond the Conversation.” According to the Nati…

IF we compare the Portland, Oregon commissioners from 15 years ago to these current commissioners, the latter are the worst in my own opinion.

I SUGGEST you missed a word in the heading for your Feb. 17 editorial that is in keeping with your general theme.

IN reply to your article on the Board of Education: I feel that the two members who walked out on the meeting were within their rights. I take it as a show of integrity and unity. It seems that cronies are so outdated and only want the members to  vote in favor of people with outdated ideas …

CONGRATULATIONS to Mr. Jay Pineda for being recognized as and awarded Teacher of the Year at Mount Carmel School. You go boy! Thank you for being a consistent model of a stellar-standard for our profession of education. God bless you, your wife and children. Omedetougozaimasu! Po.

THE  entire CNMI mourns the passing of one of the Commonwealth’s most distinguished citizens and statesmen — Edward DLG Pangelinan. Eddie Pangelinan — as many of us fondly called him — was truly one of our most distinguished leaders. One of a handful of youngsters from the Northern Mariana I…

DEAR CNMI Community:

AS a lifelong educator, I have always believed that there is incredible power in helping students find their place in this world and find their voice amidst all the noise of life. That is exactly what Mount Carmel School’s Theatre Club did with the phenomenal hit show, “True Colors.” The sho…

CONGRATULATIONS to both houses of the new CNMI Legislature for continuing the investigation into the Boost CNMI program. It has caused a stain on the reputation of the CNMI as a whole.

IF you are a U.S. journalist from Agrigan U.S.A. you cannot tell any lies or spew unethical, immoral propaganda to protect any organization or corporation because you know what is right.

THE Chamorro economic strategy of doing things  “little by little,” is actually a good one, especially when taking on a big task. There is no doubt the task at hand now for the Governor is to literally turn the adversity created by Ralph into prosperity FOR the people. But too often when peo…

BIG kudos and thanks to Chris Nelson for producing and presenting two exceptional documentaries at the AMP Wednesday night: “Buen Camino,” a 37-day hike on the historical Camino de Santiago in Spain, and “Mountain 12,” the reunion and support for an extraordinary friend and individual, Saipa…

THIS is my new “TRUTH Series — 2023,” and the recent seizure of assets belonging to individuals at the Bank of Saipan for alleged “Fraud, Money-laundering, Tax Evasion and Pay-offs to influence Government Officials” says it all about the TRUTH & RICO Coming Soon! It is just more proof th…

THE other day, I came across a notice issued by the office of  Gov.-elect Arnold I. Palacios and Lt. Gov.-elect David M. Apatang that states they are “seeking highly motivated and qualified individuals” for gubernatorial appointee positions. Firstly, I would like to commend the incoming admi…

THERE is no doubt the BOOST Giveaway is Ralph’s last scheme as Governor but Gee-Wizz it’s a doozy, as it seems his plan was to just “giveaway as much as possible before leaving office.” The AG is already trying to collect the illegal overtime and now it seems he may have the task of trying t…

IT seems the former Finance Secretary is leading the “mass- retirement & exodus of debt-dodgers who owe the People” to the mainland and places unknown to avoid being taken to Court for the money they owe the People instead of being Honorable and just paying the money back. But I guess we…

THE new administration (AD) has pledged to “rebuild trust,” which they have already began by being honorable men in keeping their word and incorporating some Democrats into their Transition and hopefully this trend will continue in their administration. I have talked to the Governor-elect an…