On the occasion of the passing of Rota’s son

Strange for the local media’s lack of scrutiny on candidates for public office last November for the office of governor and lieutenant governor, for example, to now be the first to throw stone on the glasshouse in reference to the op-ed piece: “The governor and some questions of succession,” appearing on Tribune’s Nov. 16, 2015. I find this anomaly ironic, because the role of the media in any open democratic society is to be an independent voice of and for the people, especially when dealing with holders of public office.

Well, the local media failed—both Variety and Tribune—and here the Tribune’s article served in reminding us of about our ailing commander-in-chief (as if we are so oblivious of current events) that the media perhaps hinted as an incursion to democracy and definitely not in keeping with effective governance.

For now, this is what I will say of former governor Inos on the occasion of his untimely passing: Eloy was a good man. Eloy may not be a Knights of Columbus member, but he was a decent and a generous Catholic. Eloy was also an intelligent person—a very experienced individual and quick wit in public finance. He was personable, and sincere in every letter of the word, and called spade a spade with humility as he saw it—and yes, with little fanfare or “BS.” Eloy was my kind of guy. It was because of Eloy that I cast my vote of confidence as I did last November, knowing how motivated he was to take care of his health and resume his normal duties as governor. Motivated he was, dedicated to the end was self-evident, but failed to understand his limits to office, nonetheless.

Every precious moment of man’s life on this earth must serve God and make good of God’s gift of life. Governor Inos did. And he continued to make good, even as he was convalescing off island.

Eloy took very good care of his wife during her own struggle with her own health, and Eloy did the same good deeds for his family on Saipan and Rota, including his many good friends and a few not so good friends.

It is time for the good Governor Inos to be remembered best as the statesman that he was to the extent life’s gifts allowed him to. May Eloy forever rest in peace as his fellow earthlings will now have to deal with the leadership vacuum left by his sudden passing. Out of deference to Governor Inos, we shall debate the constitutional mandate on his successor at a later time. For now, godspeed ol’ warrior, Luta’s first governor—a man we all consider a friend even when he clung so tenaciously to life from his life threatening surgery. He made a promise to God to choose life, but God needed him to be near Him for reasons only He knows.

Juan C. Dela Cruz
San Roque, Saipan