Farewell Governor Inos

“Why are you leaving now, when things are better?” Gov. Eloy S. Inos asked me when I told him I was leaving Saipan.

“Isn’t it good to leave a place that’s better than before, rather than leave it at a worse time than before?” I replied.

“That’s a good way to put it,” he said, at a groundbreaking ceremony for a new tourism-related project at the time.

Inos could have been asked the same question he posed to me, and those who know him well could anticipate his likely response.

So many people have already said almost everything there is to say about Inos after his passing on Dec. 29 after a protracted battle with diabetes—about his achievements and who he was as governor, mentor, family member, friend, colleague, numbers and finance expert, neighbor, islander.

Even U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama’s statement described Inos as “a tireless advocate for the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands and its people.”

But let me share what Inos was as a news source, an interviewee, and a public figure at least to members of the Fourth Estate or at least to the media members who covered him on Capital Hill. We’d be remiss if we fail to pay tribute to that aspect of Inos’ life as a public figure. Hopefully, those in public office today and in the future could learn from Inos.

While I didn’t agree with all his policies and decisions as a governor, I respect him for “taking the bull by its horns,” as he used to say when referring to the tasks at hand, including saving the beleaguered NMI Retirement Fund and taking a decisive action on his vision of what and where the CNMI should be.

Here’s a man who was able to deliver what he said he would set out to do, which was to save the pension system and expand the economy, among other things. However, the methods and means have been and will continue to be debated long after this.

Never once did Inos ask me to reveal my news sources no matter how damning the facts or nasty the allegations were, because he knew the boundaries and respected the freedom of the press. I could never say that about his predecessors, or most of those who have held office.

If he didn’t have the facts or figures, he would say so and whenever possible, help point inquisitive reporters in the right direction and it was up to that media member to continue digging for information.

Inos knew when a media member was just out on a fishing expedition, only trying to meet a story quota, or was really working on getting an important story out. Inos didn’t hide behind the “no comment” excuse when chanced upon and asked about issues.

He won’t turn his back or walk as if there’s no one around when chanced upon in the hallway or outside the building, but would tell you when he’s pressed for time.

Inos was not one who wanted to make news or be in the news for the sake of hearing his voice or seeing his face in paper or on TV, a malaise which has unfortunately afflicted many in public office today and not necessarily because they’re seeking re-election. Inos was about sharing newsworthy, public service information, not making news of and about himself.

During and after his unprecedented ascension to power as governor when his predecessor resigned after impeachment over corruption, neglect of duty and felony, Inos interacted with the media in a more open and cordial manner than his predecessors. But that didn’t mean unlimited media access, for he was conscious and duty-bound to make sure the information he had was disseminated in its proper context. And that also didn’t mean he’s insulated from media criticism. He understood that.

When he’s invited to speak before groups of people, be it the Rotary Club of Saipan, the Saipan Chamber of Commerce, tourism representatives or some other sectors, he could deliver his remarks and make presentations about government finances and other numbers without the aid of prepared speeches or cue cards.

He knew his facts and figures and knew how to present them in an orderly manner before standing up in front of an audience. He would respond to questions about his presentation in a clear, straightforward manner. Inos could easily turn any presentation before a select group into a State of the Commonwealth Address, again without prepared speeches.

In transcribing his remarks or interviews, almost every sentence could be a direct quote—a perk of having a news source who knows his syntax and grammar well.

Everyone who interacted with him learned something from him. And he’s one to take lessons from people as well, be it on governance or how to choose a clothing style that better suits a public figure.

He’d seek media perspective on certain issues to help better understand his policies’ possible impact, if any, on the public. An example I can cite right now happened after he assumed governorship in February 2013 when he asked those who were covering him on Capital Hill what they thought about a controversial figure he was planning on retaining/appointing as Cabinet member, and why.

Controversial figure, in the sense that that person kept fueling tension among members of the public without regard to unity, human relations, and governance. The person was let go, and while it may not be because of media perspective alone, the fact that Inos sought the opinion of others is a good leadership and character trait.

There were times when conversations between Governor Inos and I would still sound like interviews even after a scheduled news briefing or interview proper had ended, but he trusted me well enough when he said “off the record,” then nothing goes to print.

But he also understood—and respected—that I could use that “lead” to go after other news sources, seek documents or dig up some more and deliver the same story. It’s true what they say about some journalists: You’re as good as your sources. Better, if you dig up much more than what your original source knew.

In all this, Inos was always so human. We’d differ in views and perspectives but there’s clear understanding about each other’s role in society. That helped foster trust and respect between the interviewer and the interviewee. There were light moments and fond memories that reminded us in the media that while Inos carried a great responsibility on his shoulder, he’s also like every single one of us who gets sad, frustrated, smiles, laughs and cracks a joke even when the going gets tough.

Inos’ health condition was not a secret and he was never one to wallow. He put public service before his own health and welfare.

He served the CNMI until he couldn’t serve anymore. We can no longer ask someone for much more when he already gave so much for his people and the Commonwealth until his last breath. But we can be forever grateful for him.

Farewell, Governor Inos.