‘It’s a travesty! We want justice!

Several island personalities were “rounded up” yesterday and “imprisoned” at a makeshift bamboo stockade-cum-prison in Garapan Fishing Base—all victims of the NMI Council for the Humanities’ fundraising activity, Jail Bail.

“It’s a travesty of justice! We don’t deserve this!” Rep. Cinta Kaipat gamely shouted from between the makeshift cell’s bars, demanding “a new trial.”

Kaipat was one of the many CNMI lawmakers who participated in the fundraising event of the Humanities Council. She shared the cell with Rep. Absalon Waki.

She said she received the “warrant of arrest” for “unknown” charges at 9am yesterday. “Superior Court” judges Harry Blalock and Alex Sablan placed her “bail” at $500.

“I already called Beautify CNMI! and both Angelo [Villagomez] and Tina [Sablan] are on Tinian to help me,” she said, adding that she also called her friends from other government agencies and the Legislature to assist her release.

Organizers of the fundraising activity especially targeted the islands’ lawmakers as majority of them were “arrested” or they voluntarily turned themselves in during the event.

Kaipat said she had so much fun at the fundraising event; she commended the council’s work for “a good cause.”

Starting 8am, the Garapan Fishing Base became a prison ground for government, private and local community members.

Waki was already incarcerated inside a makeshift bamboo prison cell at 8am. Waki had the highest bail imposed by the judges yesterday at $1,250. His bail started at $500 but the community members even paid the council to increase his bail amount.

Other lawmakers that were not spared during the event were Reps. Arnold Palacios, Ray Yumul, and Benjamin Seman. Palacios and Yumul were released with identical $700 bail. Yumul quipped that he feels honored to have the same worth as the minority leader.

Palacios said he turned himself in yesterday morning. He began calling his friends through his cellphone but “luckily” all his friends were out of reach. Yumul also called his family for his release. Both congressmen said the event was a good way to raise funds for the council. Seman was released for $500.

Pacific Telecom Inc. sales and marketing manager Kathryn Barry was also “arrested” at her office. The judges imposed a $700 bail for her. She also called friends and family as far as Michigan. She said she had to call her brother in Michigan to help her. Barry’s mom also visited her and brought her a can of soda.

Her husband Jim dropped by and gave her a cake with a nail file inside the cake “to help her escape attempt.” Barry’s participation in the event is one of “PTI’s and my way to give back to the community.”

Marianas Eye Institute chief executive officer Russ Quinn listed the pledges of his friends on a piece of business card yesterday. He was bailed for $500. School principals Jonas Barcinas and Eric Evangelista were also jailed yesterday for $250 bail.

A success

The Council for the Humanities aimed to raise at least $50,000 during the event. Humanities Council officer and volunteer Lynn Tenorio said the group was able to raise a total of $25,000.

Despite falling short of their target, the group is extremely grateful for the kindness and cooperation of the community.

Council chair Herman T. Guerrero said he is overwhelmed with the success and turnout, considering that this was the first time the event was held this year.

The event was in line with the Humanities Month celebration in the CNMI.