Resolution chiding CNMI critics sparks debate in House

A resolution attacking two chief opponents of the CNMI in the U.S. Congress provoked debate yesterday during a session of the House of Representatives over whether its language is too strong so as to draw more criticisms from the mainland.

Rep. Diego T. Benavente led those who objected to House Resolution 12-18, which urged Rep. George Miller (D-California) and Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) to clean up their backyards first before accusing the island government of human rights abuses and slavery.

The measure, offered by Federal and Foreign Relations Committee Chair Rep. Norman S. Palacios, could hurt the Commonwealth more because of its “confrontational” tone, according to Mr. Benavente.

“This is insulting to them,” he said during discussion on the resolution. “I am not concerned about that, but I am just concerned about how this body conducts itself.”

Others opposed to its adoption described its implication as “fighting fire with fire” and “offensive” despite earlier move by the House to ask the administration to hire lobbyists in an effort to block attempts by Congress to federalize the island’s labor and immigration standards.

“It’s so strong,” said Rep. Thomas B. Pangelinan. “Just by reading it, it can send your blood boiling.”

The resolution, which now heads to the Senate for similar action, included news accounts and other media reports that pointed to abuses, prostitution and incidents of modern-day slavery in the mainland, including the states of California and Hawaii.

“These egregious abuse of women and children in major cities across the United States dwarf the perceptual exaggeration of cases in the CNMI,” it read.

It went on to suggest that major cities, states and territories across the nation where “indentured slaves and prostitution” exist should be included under the “capricious plan for a federal takeover of the CNMI.”

Mr. Miller and Mr. Akaka, who are both pressing federal takeover of the island, are then urged “to learn the so-called ‘backyard syndrome’ is a million worse in the U.S. mainland than earlier problems in the NMI now substantially rectified.”

It added: “[L]ead proponents of a federal takeover of the NMI also learn the essence of justice and equal application of laws they seek under such plan.”

Several House members, however, backed the resolution, defeating a bid to quash its adoption. They stressed that silence on these issues is tantamount to agreeing with the critics’ contention that abuses are widespread on the island.

“They have to clean their backyard first,” said Rep. Antonio M. Camacho. “This is an educational message.”

Echoing the same argument, Rep. David M. Apatang said that “it’s about time that we show them that this issue is happening right in their very own backyard.”

Added Rep. Brigida Ichihara: “It’s time to stand up.”

House Speaker Benigno R. Fitial disclosed that even Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio has been “offended and insulted” during the recent meeting held between Washington officials and governors from other insular areas.

He said that while he was supposed to be negotiating “diplomatically” to fight the takeover threats, Mr. Tenorio was shown “poor, working conditions” in the CNMI during a presentation two days ago in front of other governors.

“The main issue here is money,” Mr. Fitial told the House. “If Mr. Miller stops being unfriendly to us and become friendly, he will lose money… from labor unions and other of his financial backers.”