Workers’ vigil celebrates passage of ‘federalization’

Rep. Tina Sablan joined hundreds of guest workers and their children in a candle light vigil at the Fishing Base in Garapan Saturday night to celebrate the federalization bill’s passage.

The vigil also reunited some alien workers’ organizations that recently had a falling out due to some leaders and members participating in meetings on the long-term resident status initiative. The leaders expressed their support for the initiative, but some questioned the sincerity of the people behind the idea.

The participants, carrying streamers and placards, gathered along the shoulder of Beach Road in front of Horiguchi Building at 5:30pm. They later lighted candles for their Thanksgiving prayers.

The ralliers displayed streamers and placards that read: “Wendy Thank Your For Helping Us”, “Thank You Mr. Jim Benedetto. Please Echo Our Voice,” referring to human rights advocate Wendy Doromal and federal ombudsman Jim Benedetto.

Other wrote messages such as “Thank You Pres. Bush” “Dekada Supports Local Workers” and “Protect Families.”

Some children were seen holding placards that read: “Please Support Our Parents Not To Send Home Coz We Need Their Assistance” and “Please Give Green Cards to Our Parents.”

Other participants displayed placards in support of a bill that will allow long-time foreign workers to stay for five-year periods in the CNMI. The bill was co-authored by Sablan and Reps. Heinz Hofschneider, Edward Salas, and Victor Hocog.

In an interview with Saipan Tribune at the vigil, Sablan said the intention of the meeting is to peacefully demonstrate support for the federalization bill that was signed into law.

The gathering, Sablan said, was also meant to reaffirm the solidarity of the foreign workers who have considered CNMI their home, along with other members of the community.

“I also believe that the third intention was to express support for some type of locally granted status that will help stabilize the workforce in the transition between now and when the federal regulations are promulgated,” she said.

Sablan clarified that she is not aiming to be the first Northern Marianas delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives.

“No I’m not. I think I have a term that I need to fulfill. And I intend to do that,” the representative said when asked if she is running for the post after some workers’ groups expressed their intention to endorse her candidacy.

Sablan said she is looking for somebody in that position who has a vision for the future and can help build relations between the local government and the federal government.

Human Dignity Movement president Jerry Custodio said he is very happy to see various workers’ organizations from different nationalities joining forces again, just like the December Unity March spearheaded by Sablan.

Dekada Movement president Bonifacio Sagana said he is also overjoyed to witness various organizations united again for the same cause.

“We have only one common request and that is to get an improved immigration status under the federalization law,” said Sagana in Tagalog.

The Dekada president said he also welcomes the formation of a new workers’ organization—the Coalition of United Workers (NMI) led by Irene Tantiado.

Among those present in the vigil were Dekada counsel Stephen Woodruff, educator Ron Hodges, local activist Joseph M. Mendiola, Ronnie Doca of the Pilipino Contract Workers Association, and officials from Chinese, Bangladeshi and Korean groups.