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Open letter to Mr. Pedro Tenorio
Dear Pete: Your silence speaks volumes and it was deafening after your letter came out demanding COP to terminate their lease so you could extend it to 40 years. It is sad, though, that you choose to ignore my letter completely. Well, what can I say, you are the authority and there’s nothing we can do about it. It could’ve been an opportunity for you to explore other possibilities that will greatly benefit the people of the CNMI. Why the rush anyway? I can understand MCC but why COP too when they haven’t started with their original plan? I guess when you’re in that zone, it doesn’t matter who gets screwed along the way.
But out of curiosity, is this transaction allowed under our Constitution? Is there such thing as a pre-arranged contract in government? Is it in the contract that anything short of approval by the Legislature, it will revert back to the original contract? In other words, what if the Legislature disapproves these deals, does MCC and COP have that option to continue operating under the old contract? How convenient. What’s wrong with what our governor said about the RFP? Don’t you agree that requesting for an RFP gives you the best deal and no one will question your integrity? What exactly are you asking these guys that you feel others can’t do? Are you asking MCC to build another nine or 18 holes? What is it that you want MCC to do at the hotel? Is it to facelift or build another 200 rooms? And what do you want COP to do? Another 300 rooms on top of the 200? And is there a timetable for all these to be accomplished? Or is it at their convenience? If you’re concerned about the building dilapidating then hire an engineer or someone to assess it so you could make sound decision.
Anyway, I just wish you carry the same motto of retired judge Edward Manibusan: “Equal opportunity for everyone.” But it was your call and I can respect that. Have a nice day!
Nick Sablan
Garapan, Saipan
