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AFTER ROUTINE MEDICAL PROCEDURE
Inos ‘doing fine and in good spirits’
Gov. Eloy S. Inos successfully underwent a routine medical procedure in an undisclosed hospital in Manila yesterday, according to acting press secretary Ivan Blanco
“I don’t have details but the procedure was done quickly and he’s doing fine and in good spirits. Much appreciation to the community for their prayers and thoughts. He is looking forward to returning home next week,” he said in an email to Saipan Tribune.
Inos left the CNMI last week for what Blanco described as a “routine medical procedure” that the 65-year-old has been putting off for several months because of his busy schedule.
In his stead, Lt. Gov. Jude U. Hofschneider has been serving as acting governor.
Blanco said Inos’ two-week medical leave would end when he returns home before Oct. 24, just in time for the CNMI Republican Party’s kickoff election campaign on Rota.
His opponents have used Inos’ health as political fodder, especially in the run up to the Nov. 4 elections.
As reported earlier, the governor has been receiving dialysis treatment for his diabetes thrice a week.
Inos is running against former governor Juan N. Babauta, an independent; former speaker Heinz S. Hofschneider, also an independent; and former Commonwealth Ports Authority executive director Edward “Tofila” Deleon Guerrero in the November polls. Senate President Ralph Torres (R-Saipan) is his running mate.
In other news, acting governor Hofschneider’s planned trip to Rota yesterday to inspect the damage brought by Typhoon Vongfong was reset for tomorrow, Wednesday, Oct. 15.
Blanco said pending “paperwork” with the Department of Finance forced them to cancel their trip yesterday.
Supposedly accompanying Hofschneider in the trip to Rota yesterday were Homeland Security & Emergency Management special adviser Marvin Seman, Attorney General Gilbert Birnbrich, and Blanco himself.
Hofschneider and company were expected to verify whether the damage sustained on the island, when added to the damage on Tinian and Saipan, will breach the $1-million threshold that will quality the CNMI to request for federal disaster funding from President Barrack Obama.
