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Corruption in public office
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Posted on Oct 02 2000
The Issue: Report by the Public Auditor that corruption is rampant in the government sector.
Our View: This is a serious issue that warrants strict enforcement of laws to institute accountability.
From the government-run utility agency to other agencies in the CNMI, serious violation of laws have been committed by public sector employees. It seems that the big fish were allowed to go Scott Free while ordinary citizens are dealt with the letter of the law to the hilt.
These allegations include alleged misuse of huge sums of public funds to land grabbing and illegal issuance of public land that have been overlooked or have yet to be prosecuted in the same manner that small fries have been put through in recent years. This makes the adequacy of the top law enforcement office (Attorney General’s) highly suspect in its ability to ensure equal prosecution of every Tom, Dick and Harry.
The obvious lack of law enforcement was caught in the political tango for nearly two years when the Senate refused confirmation of the governor’s first selection for AG (now the governor’s legal counsel). This protracted matter has denied the CNMI two precious years of effective enforcement of laws. It is the very issue that the federal government has pointed out that only gave fuel to federal takeover plans.
Lest we forget, the essence of a democratic or republican form of government lies in the resolve of leadership to strengthen its democratic institutions. This is the very basic element that is granted the CNMI under the Covenant Agreement guaranteeing self-government. It isn’t granted so that we abuse it, but rather to strengthen its very exercise.
As difficult as it may, strengthening our democratic institutions is the responsibility of governance. In other words, you must insist that wrongs be rectified and those who purposely violate the laws of the CNMI are prosecuted to the hilt. There’s no room to throw anything under the carpet for such would be subscribing to the proliferation of corruption in the public sector.
For once in our 22 year history as a self-governing entity, let’s join hands and weed corruption out of our democratic institutions. Si Yuus Maase`!
