Inos not attending Chamber forum

On the orders of his doctors, Gov. Eloy S. Inos will be spending the next couple of days in the Philippines getting treatment on a “routine medical procedure” and will therefore not be able to attend the Saipan Chamber of Commerce Gubernatorial Forum on Monday.

“It is with much regret that I will not be able to attend the Chamber of Commerce Forum on Monday, Oct. 27,” said Inos in a statement emailed to Saipan Tribune. “I want to thank both the [Northern Marianas Descent Corp.] and the Chamber for hosting such important events, and I express my regrets that I am not able to attend. I also want to assure both organizations that I will address any and all questions they would like to have answered.”

Aside from the Chamber and NMDC events, Inos will also miss the CNMI Republican Party kickoff rally on Rota this Saturday.

‘Simple procedure’

The governor also took the opportunity in his statement to belie rumors about his health.

“As many of you know, I am in the Philippines after undergoing a procedure and my doctor has scheduled my last treatment for the next couple [of] days, at which time I will immediately fly back home. Contrary to what some people may be spreading, my doctor is extremely pleased with my health and quite frankly very dismayed that some are questioning how some would consider this simple procedure a reason to not trust my ability to govern.”

The statement added that Inos was scheduled for the procedure six months ago but, given the seriousness of the NMI Retirement Fund issue taking place, he postponed the treatment until the matter had been taken cared of.

He said his doctors even explained that he could’ve waited until next year, as it was not a serious procedure. Unfortunately, when Inos went to the Philippines he was stricken with the shingles, which prevented the doctors from performing the procedure.

Shingles is a painful, blistering skin rash due to the varicella-zoster virus, the virus that causes chickenpox.

“I can assure you, my people, that I am doing very well and am quite anxious to return home, although I will miss the hospitality of the people here, the nurses, and doctors, and the company of the CNMI patients here,” Inos added. “I would like to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers for not only myself but for all the other CNMI residents currently receiving treatment here in the [Philippines].”

Acting press secretary Ivan Blanco added that the GOP and the Inos administration have nothing to hide with regards to the governor’s condition.

“We have been very consistent in our statements that the governor is doing well and should his condition change we will be sure to let the people of the CNMI know. What we continue to caution against is running a story that is filled with misinformation and rumors from ‘sources’ who may or may not be in the Philippines, are not members of the governor’s medical team (or a medical professional at all because they would be violating the doctor/patient confidentiality laws), and are certainly not aware of the governor’s treatment,” he said in an email to Saipan Tribune.

Blanco hopes the community continues to respect Inos’ privacy as he undergoes treatment in Manila.

The governor also gave kudos to acting governor Jude U. Hofschneider and the rest of his Cabinet in keeping the CNMI government running smoothly the past few weeks he’s been gone.

Ralph as stand-in in forum

Inos’ running mate, Senate President Ralph Torres (R-Saipan), said he’s ready for the challenge if the GOP and the Chamber allow him to substitute for the governor in Monday’s Gubernatorial Forum.

He added that the campaign is doing fine and will be even better once Inos returns home and leads the political rallies.

Chamber executive director Jill Arenovski, meanwhile, said whether or not Torres can stand in for Inos during the forum is a matter that will be decided upon by the Chamber board.