Leepan: Don’t jump the gun

Rep. Joseph Leepan T. Guerrero (R-Saipan) said that people should not jump the gun and must get all the facts before making any comments, especially about the controversial issue with Imperial Pacific International (CNMI) LLC.

“Because there’s a stray bullet, somebody shoots their gun, acts as if there’s a war,” Guerrero told Saipan Tribune yesterday. It was reported Friday that some IPI employees experienced a minor delay in their salaries. IPI said “transfer issues” caused it, with their hourly workers getting their salary last Friday. All their salaried employees were paid yesterday, with the checks released at around noon, less than a week from what IPI officials originally said.

IPI officials informed their salaried employees that all checks were available for their managers or designates to pickup.

Guerrero added that one must get all the facts before weighing in on the issues. “You must do an analysis first. Reach out to IPI and find out first what really happened. Right now, all they [the community] are hearing is IPI did not pay its employees, but they got paid.”

“They are trying to do it the legal and correct way. They don’t want to be accused of smuggling out of China. What do you think the feds would think, they’re laundering money? [IPI] has to follow the laws. If they are not following the law they would get penalized by the feds and the [Commonwealth Casino Commission].”

He added that people should not make hasty comments. “If they [employees] were not paid, then that is when we look into it. Just because somebody leaked some information that they are not going to get paid.”

“The day was not yet over. Obviously, when they heard it Friday morning, the day wasn’t over. [Rep] Ed Propst had jumped the gun. First of all, learn how to shoot the gun before you shoot it. You don’t just take the gun and put the bullet and shoot. What are you shooting, actually?”

He said that Propst’s comments were based on premature information. “We do understand it is political season. This is the right time for others that are not member of the GOP to attack the other party so they can be able to sustain and garner enough votes. I think the best approach to this is let the people vote on Nov. 6.”

“I am a true believer that, if you want to accomplish something, do it when you get elected. Not this hogwash and start attacking one another. These are all childish and this is nonsense. As I always say, I have an election to win and my agenda is to win. Not to politically attack others.”

Guerrero said his strategy is to tell people why they should vote for him. “That’s what we should be doing and not attacking each other. After you win the election, then that’s when you work things out and make sure you satisfy the community. Not attack them because of what is happening now, those are all premature.”

He added that the administration, starting from the late governor Eloy S. Inos, has achieved a lot in the economy. “Not to brag but the community has seen it and the business community has also seen it. The revenues are being collected. You don’t see any austerity measures and no payless Friday. You see salary increases for the government.”