What did self-governance leave us with? Section 903 of our Covenant assured us that nothing in it, in particular Article IX dealing with consultations, is deemed to prevent the presentation of cases arising under the Covenant to the federal courts.
Sections 903 expresses the clear intent of the United States and the Northern Marianas that such cases can be heard in those courts, and that the undertakings or promises by the government of the United States and by the government of the Northern Marianas provided for in the Covenant will be enforceable.
This is a basic protection which guarantees to both sides that the enforcement powers of the federal courts can be brought to bear with respect to the promises made in the Covenant.
The Fitial administration can file a lawsuit but is it supported by the will of the people? Can this governor, who was once a speaker of the House and an executive for the garment industry, along with his crony former Speaker Oscar Rasa prove beyond a reasonable doubt that our right to self-governance under their control for many years led us into PROSPERTY? What we see now is POVERTY.
Is it really about self-governance that this administration wants to clarify or is it the fear that all the years of investments gained through corruption are finally coming to a screeching halt.
For over two decades this administration including former Speaker Rasa have known about the threats of a federal takeover, but none of them lifted a finger to correct or rectify our internal problematic loopholes and flaws within our immigration and labor control.
Ignorance and self-interest greed have led all of us to the predicament we face today.
For over two decades, the federal government, including members of the U.S. Congress, had been in numerous consultations with our government, and these included congressional hearings.
The amount of data, reports, complaints and other documents compiled concerning the loopholes and flaws in our immigration and labor system is something to consider in this lawsuit.
All this lawsuit is asking for is to instill further mayhem and disrespect to our own indigenous local U.S. citizens and residents of the commonwealth who have been victimized in terms of employment preferential treatment. The first priority became the last priority who were paid an unrealistic minimum wage to appease the rich while the poor remained poorer.
So, we say, go ahead Governor Fitial and former Speaker Rasa. Bring more shame and disrespect to our suffering people, the indigenous local Taotao Tano’s whom you have all left behind and forgotten for many years.
GREGORIO CRUZ JR.
Taotao Tano
