‘And I thought the govt was cash-strapped’

Yeah, I said the evil “J” word—”junket”—because that’s exactly what it is! According to the news reports, 23 government officials are attending a conference in Honolulu: Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Villagomez, Finance Secretary Eloy Inos, Public Lands Secretary John Del Rosario Jr., press secretary Charles P. Reyes Jr., Sen. Maria T. Pangelinan, D-Saipan, Sen. Paterno S. Hocog, R-Rota, Senate Vice President Pete P. Reyes, Ind.-Saipan, Reps. Manuel A. Tenorio, R-Saipan, Benjamin B. Seman, R-Saipan, Martin B. Ada, R-Saipan, Absalon Waki Jr., Covenant-Saipan, Commerce Secretary James Santos, four officials of the Commonwealth Development Authority, Commonwealth Ports Authority executive director Clyde Norita, CPA board member Barbara Yamada, Marianas Visitors Authority vice chair Marian Aldan-Pierce, and Senate legislative assistant Eric Lister—and getting the “supposedly” cash-strapped government to pick up the tab. I’m led to believe this is going to average just under $4,000 per person, including per diem, registration fees, car rentals, and lodging. Of course, there are some who will get more, undoubtedly.

As stated in the Marianas Variety, “Antonio Muna, the governor’s special assistant for budget and management, …cannot say exactly how much the trip will cost, adding that it is he Department of Finance that processes the travel authorizations. The government officials have varying expenses because they will have different accommodations and per diem allowances.” But what’s important is the finances have been “cleared” (emphasis Variety’s). Cleared by whom? And for what purpose? To “help the islands stimulate economic growth”? That’s so funny I almost forgot to laugh! I may be stating the painfully obvious, but what on earth is wrong with checking in to lower-cost accommodation (ever heard of a hostel? Forget the Waikiki Marriott!), carpooling (does everyone really need their own car? Get a van or two!) or taking public transportation, and eating at Mickey D’s? Can’t some of these high-paid officials use their own cash? I see some big names on this list, people who no doubt are not suffering from payless paydays and can afford to pay for their own vacation. Oh, wait, what about the much-lauded video conferencing? Hello? Every office on Capital Hill seems to have invested in video conferencing equipment, it being a much-lauded tool (in the 1990s anyways) to help islands communicate with one another in situations such as these. Are these systems just gathering dust now? Should be perfectly usable, what with the high-speed Internet available from the CNMI’s fine telecommunications providers.

No doubt I will receive irate replies from members of the public telling me the error of my views, and that this is a perfectly legitimate trip. Heck, $100,000 or so of public funds from a government that can barely scrape by better well be accounted for. I’m sure there are much better places this money could have been spent. What about keeping the street lights on, policing tourist areas to make sure people don’t get robbed, catching utility equipment thieves, spending more on education and health care, helping the average person keep food on the table, a roof over their head, and the lights on? Is that too much too ask? There’s always “funding” available, unless it’s actually for legitimate purposes. And I thought junkets were supposed to have died with the Babauta administration. Ha ha. Right. Just more of the same hogwash as before……