Council of Inatuas

It’s known as the “clique” or “Inatuas,” an elite group that controls everything on the islands. I mean there’s nothing too small for what this group could do on a daily basis. It has already left its filthy tracks dictating the political landscape of the islands.

The democratic process is now measured by a different standard—depth of your pocket—not necessarily the will of the people. And the Inatuas are at the forefront chaperoned by well-suited generous donors. It started last November availing of utility vouchers a day before the election.

To illustrate its strength, let’s say you’re looking for a friend in Tanapag. You walk around in the dark drenched by heavy rain. Suddenly, there appears your friend’s house at a corner. The boys know you’re coming and placed it there. They’d move it back later at night after you’ve gone. This is the rumored strength of the bunch.

The troops meet Friday nights on Mañagaha, you know, a pleasantry sipping expensive French red wine and Kobe beef sizzling on the grill. What greater sight looking inland where ordinary folks struggle daily to place decent meals on the table. Does the bunch know they’ve created situational poverty for the folks they stare at from afar?

I like the sharp elbowing where they boast being fishermen at some point back then. But each is fatally fearful dipping his feet in shallow waters along the shore. It’s the nouvelle dictators! Interestingly, deep in their subconscious is a flicker of light that may be inconsequential for now but destined to implode and level everything instantly. It bothers them from A-Z!

There’s conscious consensus to suffocate the local economy until “every grain of sand belongs to us.” Resembles the tenor of a colonial master’s agenda who cares less of the views of the indigenous people. If you look closely, this scheme is almost a perfect design of more than a decade ago to slide casino into a people by slowly forcing them into destitution. It’s working but the public sentiment has steadily shifted too!

Our very own guys and gals who’ve sold the company store envenom the stealthy condescending attitude and group unity. And they’re loving the money trickling into their deep pockets. Do the guys and gals know that there’s nothing under the sun they could hide? Would they eventually join the new parade to “negotiate” their way from the wraths of indecisions?

More real estate purchases
Since the advent of casino here, there also emerged wild real estate purchases made by locals fronting for rich friends in servility. What’s wrong with these purchases?

There’s the open violation of Article 12 via the use of locals to buy land for some rich investor. In the process, we’ve even seen a fictitious indigenous name used consistently in every other transaction. The interesting point is whether there in fact exists such a person or is it a pull out of the hat name? Ai, shift the names to Tan Maria, Tun Jose, etc.

It must be their lucrative commission as to blatantly violate constitutional prohibition. And even if I disagree with it (Article 12) do I really have a choice when it still is the law of the land?

‘Thanks for the Medicaid’
As an established musician, I’d slide into music of yesteryears to listen to meaningful lyrics focusing on personal experiences that convey a certain journey in heartfelt fashion.

I’d gauge events as they unfold and situational issues that have evolved into living room furniture. These conditions are now at the village level. I relish the exercise of staying at ground level. It’s here where you unmistakably hear the true sentiments of our people.

Now we hear irrelevant politicos spouting for a new political status commission, oblivious that the act of self-determination was done in the early ’70s. This as the quiet and dignified indigenous people intone, “Thanks for the Medicaid and food stamps…” They are saying how fortunate they are that Uncle Sam’s around to spread some help to nearly 40,000 Medicaid recipients, 16,000 with NAP, and housing recipients.

No wonder Magoo would shake his head in complete disgust. “Why are these guys toying with our lives doing nonsensical stuff when the obvious is right under their nose?” We plan to visit the Legislature for some very insightful discussion, if not fodder for more comedy materials.

Caveat: Thousands of taxpayers’ dollars have been spent going after impeached former governor Benigno R. Fitial for alleged obstruction of justice. It has devolved into negotiations. Would others be allowed the same privilege? Or is this negotiated deal solely reserved for the politically powerful? This sets a bad precedent on the legal image of the NMI!