Inos laments opponents’ dirty tactics

A visibly alert and eloquent Gov. Eloy S. Inos agreed to a sit-down interview with Saipan Tribune yesterday at the CNMI Republican Party headquarters along Middle Road, where he bared for the first time the extent of his “routine medical procedure” in the Philippines’ Asian Hospital and lamented how his opponents are using his health issues—again—as political fodder in advance of tomorrow’s Nov. 4 elections.

Inos, who arrived aboard a Cape Air flight from Manila via Guam early Friday morning, said his recent medical leave to Manila was for a follow up to a bypass heart surgery he underwent in 2006.

“About eight years ago I had a quadruple bypass out of the Asian Hospital and I was supposed to go back every so often for checkup and follow up. This last effort was supposed to have taken place in January or February this year. But because of scheduling problems with the doctors and the busy schedule out here, I had to postpone it. [When October] came I thought I couldn’t postpone it any longer because all things are going to be heating up. I just needed to get it out of the way,” he said in the presence of his daughter Christina and granddaughter Desirae at the GOP HQ in Springs Plaza early afternoon yesterday.

The governor earlier said in a statement that shingles was also one of the reasons his bypass checkup was delayed several times. In the interview yesterday, Inos said shingles did play a part and that he actually went to the Philippines last August and was told by doctors to wait a month for his shingles to subside.

Inos said he’s “OK now” and is better than ever.

“I feel a lot better than before I got there [Philippines]. Your wish is to be in a position to serve the full term and that’s exactly what I plan to do.”

‘Not the way we do things here’

On rumors that he’s not healthy enough to finish a four-year term if he wins tomorrow’s election, Inos said it’s simply an act of desperation by his political opponents.

“That’s very sad for people, especially in the political arena, to exploit the medical condition of certain candidates. That’s just not the way we do things here. But of course, when people are acting in desperation, they resort to anything. My health condition is fine and I’m doing well. I apologize to those who are suffering ailments, they too cannot be told not do anything or that they shouldn’t be in a position of authority because of their medical conditions. That’s not the way we do things here and it’s very unfortunate that this political season created a vehicle by which my opponents used my health conditions as a basis for them to gain support, especially from my supporters. That’s not the way we do things here and I’m really sorry they had to resort to that.”

Instead of spreading malicious rumors and insulting people with various health conditions, candidates should just present their plans to the people, he said.

“People would like for them to bring out there plans. How do they want to address CNMI problems specifically and not just a broad brush of things and that’s what’s been happening. I don’t hear anything specific but point at my health condition. I really apologize for people who have been misled by this situation. I do apologize for people who suffer ailments for this suggestion that they can’t do anything and that they’re not fit to govern or to be in a position of authority. If elected I would help these folks, not just the ones who don’t suffer any ailment. I want to help those with medical conditions so we can stop this medical discrimination down here.”

Commitment to economic growth

With just a couple of days before the elections, Inos also took the opportunity to ask for the electorate’s vote in the Nov. 4 polls. He is running with Senate President Ralph Torres (R-Saipan) as his lieutenant governor candidate.

“Tomorrow is going to be election eve and Tuesday we go the polls and I would like to ask our people from the CNMI to consider voting for Ralph and I. We’re No. 3 in the ballot. My administration has only been in office for only one and a half years. I see that we can still do a lot of good things. I would like to ask for people’s support so we can continue this progress and continue the growth in the CNMI. I believe we have the solutions for many of our issues in the CNMI and I’ve got specific areas that I want to address. Ralph Torres and I are committed in ensuring to continue that growth.”

In a statement to the media last Friday, Inos’ acting public information officer, Ivan Blanco, confirmed that Inos did arrive on Saipan last Friday.

“Governor Inos arrived this [Friday] morning and visited family and relatives including the GOP campaign managers and running mate Senate President Ralph Torres. Governor Inos is glad to be back home and to see his people who he dearly missed. He extends his heartfelt appreciation for the thoughts and prayers to everyone in the CNMI.”

Blanco also said that Inos has expressed his request that all voters in the CNMI exercise their civic duty to vote and at the same time asked that they continue to respect each other during and after the election process.

“We are a good people and should treat each other respectfully,” said Blanco in the statement.