Our tax dollars at work

The next time CNMI residents take a trip to the Philippines, they must make it a point to visit several key locations and see where their hard-earned tax dollars were put to work on their behalf. For this vital “public purpose,” we must let OPA audit report AR-98-06 be our definitive Philippine tour guide.

First on the agenda is the wonderful Manila Seafood Market, where one former public official spent $1,112.94 of our tax dollars in a single day, on 5 October 1996 to be exact. Indeed, the Manila “Seafood Market” must be very exceptional, because on the very next day, on 6 October 1996, as a matter of fact, our former public official came right back to spend more of our money ($124.31) on “seafood.”

The next site we might tour is “The Manila Heritage Hotel,” where our former government official spent at least $124.31 for our expressed benefit. We might even ask the front desk to show us the exact room our official used during his October ‘96 stay.

Speaking of hotel accommodations, we would indeed be extremely remiss if we did not inspect the Hyatt Regency Manila Hotel, where we, as collective taxpayers, paid $13,934.35 in hotel room charges, fine dining, and other extremely indispensable public-purpose luxuries on 12 December 1996.

And let’s not forget the Manila “Century Park Sheraton.” For although our frugal government official may not have slept here, he did spend at least $37.34 of our tax money on “food, mini-bar, and valet” charges.

It was also so nice of our former public official to support our Catholic beliefs when he went to the “Christian Travel Center” in Ortigas, Philippines, and spent an additional $293.26 on our behalf, on 17 October 1996. Naturally, had he gone to an “Islamic Travel Center,” our ‘public purpose’ would certainly not have been well served.

Speaking of service, I am sure our former public official(s) were indeed well served when they dined at the Manila “Kiku Japanese Restaurant,” where we paid $108.18 for their meals–somewhat less than the $172.57 we paid at the Manila “Kamayan Restaurant.” (I fail to understand why they didn’t just let it be . . . Jolly Bee.)

Anyway, when we visit these historic dining establishments, we should probably ask what kind of food our government officials ordered for our benefit.

I know that when I get a chance to visit the “Infiniti Club and Restaurant” in Pasay City, I will be sure to try and ascertain exactly what our former public official received for $622.70 in services. I’ll also be sure to check the “Ginga Music Lounge” and Manila’s “Club Roppongi Karaoke,” along with the “Moon Shadow Music Lounge.” The only difference is, the CNMI taxpayer will not be paying for my hedonistic forays into Manila’s formidable nightlife.

Well, there you have it–a few places to see your hard earned tax dollars working for your “public purpose” in the Philippine Republic. Mabuhay!