WHY do some people say, “If you spare the rod you spoil the child?” Because if someone grows up without being corrected, that person will in all likelihood believe that he or she can do anything and get away with it.
Similarly why do some people say, “No one is held accountable and responsible for their actions on Guam.” Probably because their whole life, they were never given a reality check.
With the not-so-recent revelation of Superior Court Chief Justice Alberto Lamorena’s involvement using public funds to destroy a candidate in another branch of government, what does UOG professor Dr. Ron McNinch say on the Big Show (Newstalk K-57, Mar 16)? That the vast majority of judges on Guam are good and fair and conduct themselves in an impartial manner. And he is right.
But the question is, can the justices hold each other accountable so as to not taint the judiciary as a place where you settle scores — and get away with it — just because you wear a robe? Because if they can’t, then they risk placing collegiality, “peer review” and camaraderie above the truth and justice, thereby submerging the entire local judiciary in the local mind.
There are reasons why people keep saying that Guam is full of nice people and get shocked with the antics of someone like the former AG. Because while ordinary people get “persecuted” for “minor flagrancies,” the elite get away with white collar crimes unless Uncle Fed steps in. And the elite only gets with it as there are folks in low places and high places who are all too eager to do their bidding.
Speaking of the (fight corruptions) AG Guam had had from 2003 to 2006, why didn’t his office move on this case well before the elections of ’06? Is it because of his ties to Judge Lamorena? Moreover, in retrospect, AG Moylan should have signed off on the 2003 bond measure. Then Felix P. Camacho would have spent it all and come back for more in 2007 and then we could have put a stop to it.

MATT PHILLIPS
Mangilao, Guam