Bits and pieces
The proposal for an elected attorney general should seriously be considered. With the current set-up being highly inefficient, it’s time to grant that office some measure of independence. In other words, the AG must answer–through his performance in the prosecution of ALL crimes–rather than buckling to political pressure as is often the case under the present arrangement.
It isn’t a personal concoction that in fact the AG’s office has lost credibility both at home and in Washington. For two years, we rolled out towels to wipe the tears of an attorney who was never confirmed by the Senate. In the process, problems of law enforcement piled up against the reputation of the CNMI to enforce the letter and spirit of the law.
Interesting how insignificant cases were prosecuted to the hilt, i.e., a Chinese girl taking towels from a hotel here. Yet, the AG’s Office overlooks the big ones, including allegedly throwing reported cases of violation of law of political siblings, well, under the rug. This apparent abrogation of duty alone makes the role and function of this office highly suspect. I wouldn’t be writing about it if it weren’t the urging of ordinary citizens quizzing why the alleged selective prosecution focusing on small over big fries.
You see, people at the village level know by heart all that may have been committed against them in the public sector, specifically, the misuse of public funds.
On their behalf, I’d like to know what the AG has done on alleged misuse of local and federal funds by CUC in 1993, of land giving birth to more land, the use of credit cards by government officials for purchases or expenses other than what’s legally permitted; use of credit cards for karaokes and expensive breakfast, lunch and dinner for mistresses; the giving away of a parcel of land by a former governor truncating an agency’s fiduciary duty; the abuse of cellular phones to call mistresses abroad at taxpayers’ expense; the claim of per diem using credit cards beyond what’s permissible by laws and regulations; allegations of dining and wining guests in expensive restaurants in Washington by our White Knight while most taxpayers here struggle to make ends meet; power peddling to secure contracts for the politically connected, among others.
The important aspect in the equal application of criminal laws is to ensure that these isles strengthen a government of law, not of men! Yes, I can understand the practice of “To the victors belong the spoils”. But definitely not at the expense of taxpayers or where legal eagles also play into the hands of the appointing authority. It is for this reason that it is timely that we consider an elected attorney general. Independence is a must evil to grant this office the latitude to prosecute any and all cases, small or big fries!
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Recently, I attended a beautiful wedding ceremony followed by a lavish reception. Strange thoughts came to mind as the couple took their vows of “I Do”.
In the back of my mind lurks the thought that if the newly wed makes it through a lifetime of real partnership, then they’d be true to their commitment of “…`til death do us part”.
If not, then one or both would be intoning “Married by church, divorced by the court”. After that, it’s a long journey into the deep abyss of hardship both struggling to figure out what went wrong. I prayed that they’d stick to “…`til death do us part”.
Strictly a personal view. John S. DelRosario Jr. is publisher of Saipan Tribune.
