Torres: Inos still working despite CHC confinement

Gov. Eloy S. Inos is currently confined at the hospital due to an undisclosed illness, but Lt. Gov. Ralph DLG. Torres assured that the CNMI’s chief executive has been handling the day-to-day operations of the government despite his condition.

“I have actually been in frequent communication with the governor. While he has been recuperating in the hospital, we have had several productive conversations regarding key Cabinet positions, the eventual lifting of the government hiring freeze, and on critical legislative items that have been forwarded to him,” Torres said in an email to Saipan Tribune.

Torres expects the governor to return to work at the Governor’s Office in a few days’ time.

“As you know, the first 100 days is considered crucial for a new administration, and I am comforted to know that the governor is still hard at work. The governor is expected to be back to the office two to three days from now.”

Inos’ absence from public view has led to some speculations about the governor’s health condition.

He was noticeably absent when Philippine Consul General to Guam Marciano De Borja made a visit to Capital Hill last week. Torres, instead of Inos, also attended Saturday’s Saipan Chamber of Commerce Installation Dinner at the Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan. He also didn’t act on a bill creating the Department of Fire and Emergency Management Services, failing to either sign or veto it, leading to the bill’s enactment into law.

There’s no telling if the governor will be up and about to attend two proclamation signings this Friday at the Governor’s Office.

Acting press secretary Ivan A. Blanco sent an invitation to the media yesterday “to join Gov. Inos and Lt. Gov Torres” for proclamation signings designating January 2015 as Stalking & HT Awareness and Prevention Month as well as Parent Leadership Month.

Inos’ health was a hot topic during the 2014 general elections and subsequent runoff, with his opponents saying the governor is not being totally upfront about his health condition.

The governor, however, said he has always been open about his health condition, having earlier revealed that he’s been receiving dialysis treatment for his diabetes thrice a week.

Shortly after retuning from a routine checkup in the Philippines in early November last year, Inos disclosed that his medical leave to Manila was for a follow up to a bypass heart surgery he had in 2006.

In an interview with Blanco a few months ago, the acting PIO shared that what the governor is going through reminds him of what his stepfather is also going through.

“As you know diabetes affects many people regardless of age, gender, sex, etc. My stepfather and many in our community suffer from diabetes. This is a non-communicable illness that non-profit organizations, federal, and local government agencies are combating every day,” he said.

Blanco said he and the rest of the Inos administration is appreciative of the concern of the community and he asks for the public to continue to pray for the governor’s health.

“The fight against diabetes is an uphill battle and one that Gov. Inos and my stepfather personally know. Gov. Inos extends his appreciation and support to those who are under the effects of this illness but continue to serve their community, provide food on the table for their families, and never give up to serve in public service,” he said.

With regards to the announcement of new Cabinet positions, Torres’ chief of staff, Matt Guerrero, said the governor and lieutenant governor would finalize the list soon.

“I believe within the next week the full slate of Cabinet positions will be announced,” he said.

So far, only acting Department of Natural Resources secretary Richard Seman and acting Department of Commerce secretary Mark Rabuiliman have been appointed by the new Inos-Torres administration.

Torres, in an earlier interview, said he doesn’t expect wholesale changes in the composition of the new Cabinet, with just minor tweaks here and there.