Dear Republican Party leaders

It is your prerogative, of course, to stand behind the governor and any other politician you please—no matter the criticism, no matter the evidence, and even regardless of public opinion. Name-calling against people who hold views you don’t like seems unnecessary and uncivil, to say the least, but that, too, is your prerogative.

However, when you accuse minority members in the Legislature of “put[ting] forward positions that are disrespectful to our voters and our democratic system,” and when you claim that we are responsible for “division and lies,” and when you say that Republicans in the Legislature will not entertain further action in an inquiry into the allegations of abuses of power and misuses of public funds by the governor, you must expect there will be a response. There will be public outrage. You will be called out.

What positions have we in the minority taken that are so objectionable to you? We have called for a fair and impartial investigation into allegations of public corruption, waste, fraud, and abuse of public funds by the governor. We have submitted records to the House. We have sought additional records from the administration. Is that “disrespectful?” It’s called doing our jobs.

If we were to ignore all the mounting allegations and the pleas of our constituents to do our jobs and open an inquiry, would that be “respectful” in your view, to our voters and democratic system? In the eyes of the GOP, is it “disrespectful” to uphold our laws? Is our demand for transparency and accountability “disrespectful?” Please explain. We are genuinely curious.

You say that “no infraction known to [you] has risen to the level of impeachment.” This statement bears further scrutiny. What infractions are known to you, and how have you arrived at that decision? Who reviewed the evidence? Who rendered the judgment? And suppose more “infractions” might be uncovered in the investigation that you now firmly oppose? Would it be “respectful” to simply turn a blind eye?

Stand behind whomever you choose. But please don’t stand in the way of ongoing investigations. That’s called obstruction. Our people deserve truth and accountability. The governor, too, deserves due process. Hopefully, all our colleagues in the Legislature recognize the importance of a fair and thorough inquiry, regardless of the partisan bluster blowing our way.

Christina Sablan
CNMI House of Representatives
21st Legislature, Capital Hill