Teno’s son weighs legal action against 20/20

Marianas Visitors Authority Managing Director Perry John Tenorio yesterday said he is weighing his option whether to take legal action against 20/20 because of its serious implication on the promotional campaign of the tourism office.

Last week the independently-produced “The Shame of Saipan” was carried by the television show in the mainland and was aired on Saipan Monday. In the report, which portrayed the island as a haven for sweatshops and prostitution, Tenorio’s older brother, Michael, was mistakenly identified as the head of MVA.

Video footage showed that Michael was inside a night club with his Japanese friends being entertained by bar girls.

As a result of the airing of the report, Tenorio said some programs of the tourism office could be jeopardized.

“It caused me some problems. Some professional and personal problems,” the MVA official said in an interview. “My understanding is that overall the 20/20 itself affected some of our programs.”

One project Tenorio cited is the first Northern Marianas Sports Challenge, whose participants have raised concerns after watching the report. He declined to say whether guests are canceling their participation in the 10-day sports activities beginning July 7.

Envisioned to lure tourists, stir economic activities and keep kids away from drugs, the Sports Challenge will gather professional athletes from the United States and Japan to hold sports clinics and sessions, as well as participate in family sports activities.

According to Tenorio, there was no reaction yet from Japan, CNMI’s main tourism market. “I haven’t heard from Japan yet regarding this issue.”

In a separate interview, Michael, Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio’s oldest son, brushed aside the report, saying the producer of the show was bent on destroying the Commonwealth.

“There’s nothing we could have done. They came here to do some negative publicities and they will do anything to do it,” Michael said. “I’m disappointed but what else can I do.”

Michael explained he was inside the Blue Lagoon Karaoke Bar in the tourist district of Garapan when the television crew arrived. “They came in and I was there that’s why I walked out.”

“I was with some friends. Some off-island guests who invited me to go there. It’s a decent club, probably one of the decent clubs,” he added, describing the karaoke club.