Demapan, the lead organizer of the event, said the Fitial administration will also push for a referendum this November so that voices of the local residents can be heard.
“I am planning more rallies and perhaps, I will go on a village to village campaign. I am also going to push for a referendum because that’s the best way to show the U.S. Congress where the indigenous people stand,” he told the Variety in an interview.
Vice Speaker Felicidad T. Ogumoro, Covenant-Saipan, said the indigenous people of the Northern Marianas must remain in control of their destiny “and not become a minority in their own land.”
She added, “All the political parties are represented in this gathering. I will emphasize that this is just the beginning, so you will be seeing a lot more gatherings.”
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial said he favors a referendum to allow the people of the CNMI to “go on record” about the issue.
“The question would be: Are you in support of the Interior’s report? Yes or no?” he added.
Demapan said the CNMI still needs guest workers.
“What I would prefer is the status quo. The guest workers come in under an employment contract. It states that at the end of the contract period, you have to go back [to your country]. Or if your employer values your performance, then you get your contract renewed,” he said.
“I have no animosity toward guest workers. I have a lot of Filipino friends. Even in the Philippines, I have a lot of friends. I play golf with a lot of businessmen there, even with judges and senators. But what I would like to see here is the sentiment of the indigenous people through a referendum,” he added.
The issue is all about respect, he said.
“We welcome the guest workers but a lot of them don’t respect the indigenous people. Why can’t the guest workers address their concerns with our local legislators and the administration? Why do they have to go directly to the U.S. Congress? We’re not trying to kick them out, but if they don’t like us then they have the prerogative to go back to their countries,” he said.
He compared the current situation to the relationship between the owner of the house and a visitor.
“If you come to my house, that doesn’t mean you can dictate which room you want to sleep in and how many days you can stay. It’s just a matter of respect. It’s the name of the game. I don’t think we would go this far calling for a unity rally if we were given respect,” he said.
