The mayor was reacting to our story that disclosed the extent of nepotism at his office. He has hired his daughters, granddaughters, grandsons, sons-in-law, among other close relatives. And then he says he has to reduce his workforce — i.e., those not closely related to him — due to lack of funds. He is also “surprised” that “some people are trying to create a controversy out of this.” According to the mayor, his former employees who are complaining of nepotism and favoritism “are the ones who are coming late everyday to the office and just wait for their salaries to come.” Money for nothing. Isn’t that what CNMI government employment is all about?
The mayor’s candor, in any case, is admirable — and appalling. We expected that he, at the very least, would defend the qualifications and capabilities of his relatives on government payroll. But no. “Everybody,” he told us, “can hire anyone and no one can prevent us and that’s happening even at the governor’s office.” That’s his “justification.”
No one can prevent us. And by “no one” he means you, the citizens and taxpayers of the CNMI.
Nepotism, however, is defined as “showing favoritism to family members without regard to merit,” and it is inexcusable, even in a small community, particularly in time of crisis, when people expect their government officials to show some signs of competence, for once. Nepotism in government is basically giving taxpayer money to one’s relatives, regardless of whether they should be hired, or whether they’re capable of performing the job. Nepotism, moreover, is an insult to the more qualified residents and other citizens who are not hired because they do not have the “correct” surnames.
“Everyone’s doing it anyway”? Well, it seems that “everyone” wants to steal copper wire and rob mom & pop stores, too. Should the police stop arresting these perps then?
But the mayor is right. Nepotism is “everywhere” in the public sector, and it is everywhere because most CNMI government jobs are non-essential. They exist and continue to multiply because 1) there are no viable employment opportunities in the private sector; and 2) the government pays a lot lot more, even though it is bankrupt already.
But the mayor is wrong to claim that “no one” can prevent nepotism in this government. Voters certainly can — but only if they want to.
Speaking of your money
THE Saipan legislative delegation last week passed a bill earmarking $4.7 million in anticipated poker revenues for several questionable purposes, including $100,000 for the privately owned, “non-profit” Marianas Trades Institute — “without so much as a glance,” says Rep. Tina Sablan, “at [its] business license, or a plan as to how the money would be spent.”
The institute’s goal is admirable: “To bolster the CNMI’s skilled labor force” and “reduce its dependence on foreign labor.” If this sounds familiar, it is because it is also NMC’s supposed mission. NMC, moreover, used to run a technical trades program which it eventually suspended because, as a college official once said, “everyone wants to be manager right away.”
And why is this bankrupt government giving taxpayer money to a private institute?
The last time the CNMI government entered into a “partnership” with a private enterprise, it ended up owing $5.46 million to its “partner,” who, incidentally, also runs the Marianas Trades Institute.
