Local man emblazons support for federalization in a banner

A local Saipan resident and former special projects coordinator for the Department of Public Works paraded around yesterday morning with a poster board bearing his full support for federalization.

Upon learning that the U.S. House of Representatives had approved Senate bill 2739, Joseph M. Mendiola went right to work on his banner, flaunting his support for federalization.

Mendiola visited the Saipan Tribune office holding up his poster. He said he also visited the Horiguchi Building, the Microl intersection, and the Marianas Variety.

“I am just overjoyed. I could not sleep. I’ve long said this since 1982. I‘ve advised, informed, and reminded the politicians that with the continuous labor and immigration system [issues], federalization will eventually prevail,” Mendiola said.

He claims that he had predicted in 1982 all that has been happening with federalization, labor and immigration, and the phasing out of garment factories.

“Things I’ve predicted in 1982 are happening already. I will tell you now that I predict that the poker industry on Saipan will eventually collapse, followed by the Retirement Fund. It’s going to happen. Trust me,” said Mendiola.

He said one reason why he is in full support of federalization is because he has always had faith in it—that he predicted it and that it will happen.

“Fuel, water, schools, food stamp, typhoon disaster relief aids, or any other kinds of relief that comes into the CNMI comes from the federal,” Mendiola said.

He said he has numerous families and friends who share the same belief that “with all the issues with labor and immigration and the constant changing of policies throughout the years, there is no consistency. Once the law is set, they should be set. The law is the law. It should stay the way it is.”

Mendiola that with federalization, all illegal aliens “will be flushed out. This will benefit everybody and I will welcome anybody who wants to come to the CNMI with good intentions.”

“Many don’t understand this, but the United States is one of the most powerful nations in the world” in terms of “social, economical and political,” Mendiola said. “So we should work with them, and not against them.”

Mendiola also believes that Washington Representative Pete A. Tenorio, who has expressed an interest in the new CNMI delegate position, should not be the first CNMI nonvoting delegate.

“It should be somebody who is much younger and who respects the contents of the Covenant, somebody like Robert Torres,” Mendiola said.

The U.S. Congress’ passing of Senate bill 2739 includes a provision to federalize immigration controls in the Northern Marianas. The bill also grants the Northern Marianas a delegate with limited voting powers in the U.S. House.

Once enacted, an election will be held in November for the first CNMI delegate that would coincide with the U.S. general election.

The measure now heads to the White House. Once the bill is received from Congress, President George W. Bush has 10 days to sign the bill into law.