In the region from Mili to Tobi

Most political pundits and observers have looked forward to a run-off between Governor Carl Gutierrez and former Governor Joseph C. Ada 14 days following the Nov. 3rd scandal ridden gubernatorial race in our southern neighbor.

However, allies of Governor Gutierrez on the Guam Election Commission have shoved aside problematic ballots, counted the balance and certified the incumbent as the winner of the recent election.

The press, legal eagles and representatives from both camps have dubbed such decision illegal. The scandal found its way into the experienced hands of the Wall Street Journal, US Newswire and the Associated Press.

This has sent the Gutierrez camp into a nervous frenzy who apparently employed mudslinging spins that Democrat Mark Charfauros’ effort is being bankrolled by moneyed people who walk quietly in the shadows. A nice but vacuous spin.

However, I’m more convinced that the senator’s efforts are sincere and there simply are people who can’t standby the roadside and watch the ugly faces of injustice take its permanent seat in a democratic process that is governed by a set of laws.

The issue has attracted national attention and the investigative arm of the federal government has started probing what went wrong. Maybe, too, a special committee would emerge when the 106th US Congress goes into full gear in January to probe how federal law was allegedly violated and scrapped for the wont of, well, more power.

Friends, if there are glaring violations in the recent gubernatorial election, shouldn’t the hands of justice be allowed to bare out the most democratic process, a run-off? We would have eliminated all the embarrassment and strife between the two camps in outright fashion.

And, it would make for a brighter holiday season knowing in our humble hearts that Guam is crowned with men of laws. It would have demonstrated the political maturation process however a small island community. It would have granted greater credence to Guam’s Quest for Commonwealth Status. Power in this case must be allowed to reside in the governance not in the “we few” people who think of the masses as completely ignorant and must be jerked around through a leash. Let’s take the high road because no one deserves the subsequent humiliation and black eye and all because of the wont for power that lacks the requisite confidence of both the governance and the current law governing the gubernatorial election.

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I read an article in the Island Tribune (Pohnpei’s biweekly publication) of the FSM government purchasing some 200 new cars to ferry delegates of the South Pacific Forum who recently met in Pohnpei State.

Yes, it is good public relations to roll out the red carpet to delegates clad in their suit and ties in searing tropical weather. But given the financial straits of the FSM, it would have been much more practical if it had rolled out the traditional mats. In other words, no one gets hurt if the national government augments this need by borrowing cars from the Pohnpei State government.

I think it’s time to retain the services of my hero, John Mangefel from Yap State so he pounds a simple message home that one only spends within his means. If we only have five bucks, spend three and keep the two dollars for that rainy day. Evidently, that familiar rainy day has turned into an unforgiving torrential downpour.

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It’s rather unusual that friends would tango on an issue that is really not that difficult to understand. Senator Pete Reyes slammed House Speaker Diego Benavente for the latter’s view on placing federal pressure over local reality and needs.

Reyes maintains that given the positive contribution of the garment industry in these most trying times, logic dictates the appropriateness of granting the manufacturing sector greater latitude to produce, export and generate additional revenue for the NMI.

Benavente seem to maintain that the mini-service sector in his precinct–four dollar hair cuts in beauty salons–would net more revenue than the larger manufacturing sector. Sorry for respectfully disagreeing with you, sir. On a scale of ten in this rather rudimentary economics argument, I give Senator Reyes the full 10. If you folks allow sober thoughts to sink in first, the splashing of mud in the public arena won’t be necessary. Let’s do it!