FORMER Chief Justice Jose S. Dela Cruz gave me the opportunity recently to read the clean copy (publish-ready) of his manuscript. It is the greatest eye opener yet on the written episode of the CNMI! His book is written simply and clearly; page by page it is well interwoven and it makes reading unstoppable until the last page in the last chapter is read and the book is placed down on the table. It is a book about our islands that is so entertaining that you just want to keep reading and reading, and wondering and wondering. Because for every page one realizes how could we forget what has transpired during our live time; such as some of the most embarrassing events that occurred in the islands 10 to 15 years ago. Those events that slipped so fast from our memory and have apparently been forgotten. Justice Dela Cruz’s book is reminding us of what happened so we can learn from our mistakes.
The book explains why we are encountering today’s problems in the islands. For example, they include the recent implementation of the U.S. immigration and minimum wage laws. We had thought we were a full-fledged U.S. commonwealth in 1978. But we were still a part of the Trust Territories until 1986, the year the Trusteeship Agreement was terminated. During the eight-year period, the U.S. allowed us to conduct self-government on our own with very little guidance because we were not yet a U.S. commonwealth. The U.S. did not give any guidance or assistance to the islands regarding immigration and minimum wage matters. The U.S. simply sat comfortably nearby and watched as we got excited with our new self-government. By 1986 we had begun allowing the influx of foreign nationals to come and work in our islands. Why? You should buy the book when it comes out in July and find out why.
“The commonwealth government has not done a good job of handling immigration in the islands. But the main problem with the new federal immigration and minimum wage laws is that it is not tailored to meet the economic needs of the islands.”
The writer did not mention people’s names, but as you read the book, you could figure out how the problems of the commonwealth began. You could figure out why foreign investors were able to influence our leaders. Read the book and you will know why Speaker Nancy Pelosi called us “criminals.” You will know why the national media took up arms and reported to the world why there is still slavery in the USA. The book also mentions that some of those who were called friends of the commonwealth like Jack Abramoff and others later went to jail! Read all about it in the new book that’s coming out this summer.
The book also brings back sweet memories of the early days in the islands after the war. I was old enough to remember the good ole jeep riding days to the farm! And we all thought how rich our neighbor was if they had a bigger ride — weapons carrier which was the equivalent of our modern-day 4×4 pick-up truck.
“Where did we go wrong?” Manuel the book’s imaginary character, quietly asked himself. “How did we end up in this economic mess? What could the leaders of the commonwealth do to turn our economy around?”
Retired Chief Justice Dela Cruz’s book is titled “From Colonialism to Self-Government: THE NORTHERN MARIANAS EXPERIENCE.” It is ideal as reading material for students studying the history of our islands. It is brilliantly written to describe the huge contrast in the experience of the islands from 300 years of colonization previously and our 30-year experience as a self-governing commonwealth. Retired Chief Justice Dela Cruz is to be commended for writing one of the most eye opening and heart touching books about our young commonwealth.
I am humbled and I thank him for allowing me the grandest opportunity to take a peek into his book before it is published. This book is a must for every home! En fin serafin.
ALEXANDRO “The Colonel” SABLAN
Dandan, Saipan
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