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First was injustice; now, it’s criticisms
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Posted on Apr 15 2005
This is in response to Tina Sablan in her so-called, “Reeking with Corruption” letter to the editor on April 12 in the Marianas Variety.
One thing is very obvious from her letter: She’s got no clue about what she is writing about.
To Tina Sablan from Navy Hill: When you say “people of the CNMI,” you think you alone pay taxes. We pay our taxes just like you and we are people of the CNMI, just like you. The only difference between you and us is that the government is using our land, not yours.
The Malite family has lived with this injustice for so many years, and now criticism. Marianas High School has been sitting on that disputed land and for many years the people of the CNMI have benefited from going to school there. Now answer this question, “How much does the Malite family owe the CNMI, or how much does the CNMI owe the Malite family?”
Ms. Sablan, you called the $3.45 million settlement ludicrous. This land was bought by our forefathers to accommodate our family. Today, our family members are scattered and some of us rent homes, like we are foreigners. How ludicrous is that? Not even a single penny was paid to the Malite estate.
The Malite land disappeared due to a conspiracy in the old Land Commission during the Trust Territory days. I am sure we are not the only victims of this conspiracy affecting people’s lands. We have been victims of “finagaga” from our own “kanaka” (native islanders).
Get your facts straight before you accuse anybody of corruption. It’s easy for you to say corruption if the injustice did not happen to you.
The AG’s office took the case to court before getting their facts verified. Facts that can be settled within the government. They found out that their “facts” were not true during trial but then it was too late; the case was already in court. So who’s playing with taxpayers’ money?
The bottom line is justice must be served—or return the land to the rightful owners.
Descendants of Angel Malite:
Esther Fejeran Sound
Elias Malite Rangamar
Jimmy G. Sablan
Frances Malite Fejeran
Susupe, Saipan
