The Contemporary Pacific
Volume 20, Number 1, Spring 2008, pp. 198-204

Political Reviews

Micronesia in Review: Issues and Events, 1 July 2006 to 30 June 2007 

Guam

Kelly G Marsh

Discussion of the 2006 elections, the island's economy, and various military issues dominated Guam 's media during the year in review. However, perhaps the most telling event affecting the island's state of affairs, political and otherwise, was the granting of limited voting privileges to Guam 's delegate to the US House of Representatives.

Democrats secured a US congressional majority in 2006, reinstating the short-lived insular area delegates' ability to vote in the House of Representatives (which had been lost in 1995 when Republicans became House majority). These "partial" voting rights were narrowly passed and are only allowed when territory delegates do not determine House vote outcomes. In fact, if their votes do make the difference, the House revotes without the insular area delegates. Many would disagree with Guam Congresswoman Madeleine Z Bordallo's assessment that this partial vote demonstrates that the people of Guam are "members of the American family" (PDN, 26 Jan 2007; MV, 12 Feb 2007). Some find it ironic that while the US military (including many Guam [End Page 198] daughters and sons) fights to ensure Iraqi political participation, Guam's US citizens are denied any real voice in the US national government despite having been "family" for nearly eleven decades. Understanding how Guam does or does not fit into the US system sets the stage for understanding the island's contemporary political and other landscapes.

Underscoring Guam's status as an unincorporated territory was the 2007 visit by US Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne, whose department oversees US insular areas (PDN, 11 May 2007). Meanwhile, Guam continues to send delegations to the United Nations to provide testimony regarding the island's status as one of the world's few remaining non-self-governing territories (PDN, 22 June 2007).

Another indicator of Guam's quasi-incorporated status within the United States is the decades-long wait for World War II reparations, meant to acknowledge Guam 's suffering of wartime enemy occupation. The Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act (HR 1595) had yet another year of limited success. The House passed the act, but the prospect of its clearing the final hurdles of Senate approval and presidential action looks bleak (GovTrack.us, 7 May 2007). The cost of the measure, superseding ethical obligations, seems to be a major factor blocking its passage. Public comments such as, "the US bears no blame here, and no responsibility" and the "war reparations bill will start a slippery slope" are not unusual (PDN, 8 Jan, 24 May, 28 May 2007).

This and other unresolved issues, such as unexploded ordinance, dumped hazardous waste, and large holdings of ancestral lands, explain the mixed local reaction to plans to increase the military presence in Guam and the Northern Marianas , announced in press releases and discussed at forums during the year.

Guam received some minor US recognition, inclusion, and concessions this year. For example, Guam Archbishop Anthony Apuron provided the opening prayer at a US House of Representatives session, and the US Postal Service "honored" Guam with a stamp of a Hagåtña Bay sunset (PDN, 23 Sept 2006; 2 June 2007). Also, the US Transportation Department granted Guam certain expanded air cargo service consideration (PDN, 6 Aug 2006).

In day-to-day island life, Guam saw many positive developments and demonstrations of community spirit. John "JR" Hattig Jr became the first Chamorro/Guam athlete to bat his way into the major leagues, playing for the Toronto Blue Jays—a feat declared the "top local story" of 2006 (PDN, 1Jan 2007). The University of Guam earned "high marks" from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges accreditation team, opened a $15 million business school, and recorded increased enrollment (PDN, 26 July 2006; 1 Jan, 6 Feb 2007). Guam welcomed its first Chamorro female federal judge, Frances Marie Tydingco-Gatewood, who became federal chief judge for the District Court of Guam (PDN, 5 Aug 2006). Public libraries reopened after years of closure (PDN, 14 Aug 2006). Several local parish priests, including three Chamorros, received the title monsignor (PDN, 5 Sept 2006). The Government of Guam (GovGuam) unveiled a [End Page 199] new official website, www.guam.gov (PDN, 5 Jan 2006). Three of five new or redesigned schools have a 2008 completion date (PDN, 5 Jan 2007). The completion of a $10 million sewage treatment plant ended the decade-long practice of dumping 7.5 million gallons of raw sewage a day into surrounding ocean, while many other island wastewater system upgrades were declared "in the works" (PDN, 10 March 2007). Hundreds participated in Guam 's fourth annual bone marrow donation drive (PDN, 29 Jan 2007). And the community assisted those who suffered devastating high tides in the Philippines and in Lekinioch, Chuuk (PDN, 13 Dec 2006; 16 May 2007).

Mirroring national trends, local elections were fought out in the courts as well as the ballot box. Virtually every aspect of the 2006 elections was scrutinized, criticized, protested, and challenged in the courts of public opinion and judicial review.

A couple of candidates stood out from the crowd. Magalåhen of I Nasion Chamoru, Vicente "Fa'et" or "Ben" Garrido, ran for public office. However, he did not make the primary election cut. The island's police chief, Frank Ishizaki, also ran for the Senate. Although the prospect of mixing politics and law enforcement raised some eyebrows, his popularity secured him a seat.

The primary elections were challenged almost immediately, with some contestations continuing after the general elections. The number of votes cast was said not to "add up" (PDN, 16 Nov 2006). There were also issues surrounding the electronic voting system—machines were down, votes were overlooked, results were downloaded into incorrect cartridges, and the legality of using voting machines was challenged (PDN, 23 Nov 2006; 1 Jan 2007). The Guam Election Commission (GEC) was accused of breaking federal and local laws regarding electoral procedure, and criminal charges were filed against GEC Executive Director Gerald Taitano for "allegedly destroying unused ballots too early after the Primary Election" (PDN, 1 Jan 2007). Then island Attorney General Douglas Moylan challenged the new election law, which requires attorney general and public auditor candidates to participate in primary elections. Moylan felt that "weak politicians" were working to oust him from office because of his continued challenge of "government efforts to borrow hundreds of millions of dollars on the bond market" (PDN, 9 Sept 2006; 1Jan 2007). After losing in the primaries, Moylan ran as a write-in candidate (PDN, 28 Sept 2006).

A low point of the gubernatorial race was a smear campaign against Robert A Underwood depicting him as "anti-Filipino" (PDN, 19 Sept 2006). A few days before the election, Governor Felix P Camacho publicly demanded a stop to this, and Underwood commended him for his action (PDN, 27 Oct 2006).

Despite public poll results announcing Underwood's lead in the gubernatorial race, the island reelected Governor Camacho along with a new lieutenant governor, first-term Senator Michael "Mike" W Cruz, MD. Uncontested delegate Bordallo secured a third term, while Alicia Limtiaco became the island's first elected female attorney general. [End Page 200] Guam reelected many other familiar faces to the twenty-ninth legislature—8 incumbents, 3 former incumbents, and 4 first-time senators, each of whom had achieved prominence prior to taking office. Republicans won the majority by one seat. Democrats became a larger minority than before. Senators voted Mark Forbes into another term as Speaker, with Eddie Baza Calvo as first time Vice-Speaker. Judith "Judy" Won Pat secured the minority leader position.

Both Proposition A (the initiative to raise Guam's legal drinking age to twenty-one) and Proposition B (the proposal to legalize slot-machine gambling at the Guam Greyhound Park ) became defunct when Judge Barcinas found that the initiatives had not been properly prepared. Proposition B proponents attempted to woo Guam voters by allocating a 10 percent annual tax on their gambling gross revenues to education and health, and publicly displaying an up-front payment of $3 million in "a tall, clear plastic block" (PDN, 5 Nov 2006). Wasting no time, backers of Proposition B filed to put their initiative on the 2008 ballots a few weeks after the election (PDN, 19 Dec 2006).

The Democratic Underwood-Aguon gubernatorial team challenged the Election Commission in both local and federal Supreme Courts. They objected to the commission's exclusion of "over votes" in tabulating whether Camacho-Cruz secured a simple majority of votes (PDN, 14 Nov 2006; MV, 12 Feb 2007). Although they lost these challenges, and the Camacho-Cruz team celebrated victory, Underwood and Aguon did not publicly concede the election (PDN, 23 May 2007).

Many consider Guam's long-term economic prospects bright because of the upcoming military expansion—the planned relocation of some 8,000 marines from Okinawa to Guam is expected to cost $15 billion over ten years. A First Hawaiian Bank report estimated the size of the island economy at about $3.4 billion and suggested that, with increased military spending, it could grow by 18 percent in 2008 (PDN, 7 Nov 2006). Even so, the news was dominated by GovGuam's ongoing financial woes. After months of concern about GovGuam's finances, Governor Camacho reported in the 2007 State of Our Island address that the general fund deficit had more than doubled during his term, to $511 million (PDN, 20 Feb 2007). Senator B J Cruz, who voted against the fiscal year 2007 budget, described this increase as fiscally irresponsible (KUAM, 29 Sept 2006).

Fiscal issues were also contested in the courts. Governor Camacho attempted to surmount then Attorney General Moylan's opposition to administration bond-borrowing plans. At issue was the federal statute limiting GovGuam debt to no more than 10 percent of the value of island real estate. The attorney general's office argued that the Camacho administration could not proceed with its bond issue because it would exceed the debt limit. The US Supreme Court supported this, given GovGuam's current valuation of real property. Camacho responded that the debt ceiling could be raised to allow a new bond issue by adjusting the real property tax valuation laws (KUAM, 28 March 2007).

Both Governor Camacho and the Guam Legislature spent early 2007 [End Page 201] tackling financial issues including administration proposals to raise taxes and fees, furlough government employees, reduce agency budgets, and revise plans to issue a $300 million bond (MV, 13 June 2007; PDN, 16 Feb, 20 Feb, 24 Feb, 15 March, 21 March, 20 April, 8 May, 13 June 2007). Most of these issues remained unresolved by June 2007, even with the legislature narrowly voting to raise some fees, adjust business tax exemptions, and reduce the fiscal year 2007 budget (KUAM, 4 May 2007). Island leaders continued to be pressed on a range of funding issues such as $123 million in past-due cost-of-living allowances for government retirees, public school funding, and federal court orders to close Ordot Dump and open a new landfill in 2007—a project estimated to cost $87 million (PDN, 8 Dec 2006; 18 June 2007; KUAM, 15 Feb 2007).

The impending military buildup remained on everyone's mind as the media noted preparatory details, including the formation of a Joint Program Office to manage US Marine relocation issues, Japan's commitment to provide $6 billion of the relocation costs, the arrival of four hundred airmen and families in 2007, and the opening of a trades academy to train Guam's workforce (PDN, 29 Nov 2006; 10 Jan, 24 May 2007).

Land issues came to the forefront from time to time. Military officials stated that they would use "only existing land" or keep acquisition to a minimum (PDN, 18 Sept, 29 Sept 2006). However, some Chamorros noted that military-held ancestral lands would then be less likely to be returned and more may be garnered. There was also concern about the military's checkered history of hazardous waste dumping, and the possibility that more live-fire ranges could be created as a result of its increased presence in Guam (PDN, 25 Aug, 29 Sept, 12 Oct 2006; 3 Feb, 13 April, 31 May 2007). On the other hand, many see the buildup as an opportunity to negotiate Guam 's political status issues, upgrade island infrastructure, and so on (PDN, 25 Aug 2006).

Although officials like US Vice President Dick Cheney continue to stress Guam's strategic value—saying that "[Guam] has tremendous importance to the peace and security of the world" and that "by positioning forces on Guam, the US can move quickly and effectively to protect our friends, to defend our interests, and bring relief in times of emergency" (PDN, 23 Feb 2007)—others have a different view. Some fear that these developments increase Guam's potential as a target for America 's enemies in the region (PDN, 29 Nov 2006; 13 April, 29 April, 17 May, 27 May, 28 May 2007).

Voters ranked health care as their second most "pressing issue" for political candidates in 2006 (PDN, 11 Oct 2006). Drawing further attention to this issue was the fact that the chair of the legislature's health committee, Dr Mike Cruz (a surgeon), was a candidate for lieutenant governor. The state of Guam Memorial Hospital was the most critical health issue; doctors complained about nursing shortages, and auditors cited several shortcomings in the hospital's finances (PDN, 3 Nov, 14 Nov 2006). In the meantime, a private group, the Guam Hospital Development Forum, continued to formulate a business plan and drum [End Page 202] up support for a separate, privately owned hospital. Throughout the year, government officials pointed to improvements at the hospital, including state-of-the-art cardiology equipment, and claimed that the hospital would be able to regain accreditation in 2007 (PDN, 1 Aug, 25 Sept 2006). At the beginning of 2007, Lt Governor Cruz unveiled the administration's Healthy Guam Initiative and called for public-private partnerships to tackle the hospital's problems (PDN, 21 Feb 2007). Public attention later focused on the appointment of Cruz's wife, Jennifer Rosario Cruz, as Guam Memorial Hospital 's nursing director. Hospital officials quickly pointed out that Cruz had eleven years experience as a nurse there and had been recommended for the post by the previous nursing administrator (PDN, 9 April 2007).

Guam celebrated its fortieth year of tourism in 2007 (PDN, 27 Feb 2007). In the face of fewer tourist arrivals, the Guam Visitors Bureau presented an aggressive five-year strategic plan. Its goals included developing new markets, such as Russia (following in the Northern Mariana Islands' footsteps); a cruise ship industry; a multipurpose conference facility; and establishing "business appearance standards" along Tumon Bay . The plan also called for improving historical and cultural sites, including Guam 's historic district of Hagåtña. The bureau will also strive to expand tourist numbers to 1.5 million per year, extend their length of stay, and increase the amount of money they spend (PDN, 3March, 18 May 2007).

Controversy brewed toward the end of the year under review as a South Korean company unveiled plans to develop a large resort hotel and condominium at Gongna (Gun) Beach, a site containing a Chamorro burial complex dating to the precontact period (PDN, 6 June 2007). The destruction of part of the site before permits were issued served to fuel the controversy. Hoping to raise awareness about appropriate treatment of ancestral burial sites and change policy, Guam held public ceremonies to honor ancestors uncovered during the earthmoving activities (PDN, 28 June 2007).

March 2007 kicked off of the yearlong Project Unity sponsored by the Pacific Daily News. It proposed to tackle "misconceptions and problems that arise when one sees cultural differences in a negative light" (PDN, 25 March 2007). Some of its themes were "celebrating the island's diversity," "community building," "humanity is one family," "understand and appreciate," and "making Guam home."

Several high-profile criminal cases continued to run their course. Occasional articles in the news noted "disgraced" lobbyist Jack Abramoff's ties to local politicians (PDN, 2 July 2006). Tony Sanchez, former Superior Court administrator and adviser to Governor Camacho, faced local charges of money laundering of Superior Court payments that ended up in the hands of Abramoff. Sanchez was given a superseding indictment in March 2007, with a hearing to set his trial date scheduled for July (PDN, 29 March 2007; KUAM, 28 June 2007). Former hospital administrator Dr Davina Lujan lost her appeal to the Ninth Circuit Court (KUAM, 26 Dec 2006).

New Attorney General Limtiaco [End Page 203] moved to dismiss several cases brought by her predecessor involving former Governor Carl T C Gutierrez, former hospital comptroller John Pangelinan, former public school head Rosie Tainatongo, former education comptroller Ray Miranda, and former hospital administrator Bill McMillion. These cases involved nonpayment of retirement contributions, among other charges. Also dismissed was the case against Guam Election Commission executive director Gerald Taitano (KUAM, 13 Feb 2007). In May 2007, former Guam Memorial Hospital associate administrator Therese Hart pled guilty to third-degree felony charges in a case involving improper authorization for a wrongful death settlement (KUAM, 31 May 2007). Gil Shinohara, former chief of staff for Governor Gutierrez, filed a motion to dismiss charges against him related to Gutierrez's pension. Shinohara still faces a thirty-two-month federal prison sentence after local charges are resolved (PDN, 10 May 2007). May 2007 saw another high-profile case: the attorney general's office brought a civil suit against former Senator Mark Charfauros, commissioner of the Guam Baseball Federation, for violating government procurement rules, among other charges (PDN, 15 May 2007).

The community mourned the passing of former Senator Paul Bordallo, the Chamorro Land Trust Act author and Chamorro rights promoter; and Marine Captain Peter C Siguenza Sr, the first Chamorro Marine Corps officer who helped free Guam from World War II enemy occupation (PDN, 19 May, 25 May 2007).

Acknowledgment

Special thanks to Tyrone J Taitano who offered advice on portions of this review.

References

KUAM, KUAM News. http://www.kuam.com/ 

MV, Marianas Variety— Guam Edition. Monday–Friday newspaper. Harmon, Guam : Younis Art Studio Inc. http://www.mvariety.com/ 

PDN, Pacific Daily News. Hagåtña, Guam . http://www.guampdn.com/ 

GovTrack.us. Guam World War II Loyalty Recognition Act. http://www.govtrack.us/congress/record.xpd?id=110-h20070507-17&person=400128  [accessed 10 July 2007]

Kelly G Marsh is currently researching Micronesian heritage and conservation issues as a PhD candidate in cultural heritage studies in the School of Environmental Sciences at Charles Sturt University , Albury-Thurgoona , Australia . Her doctoral work builds on her BA degrees in anthropology and history and MA in Micronesian studies from the University of Guam , her experience as the former vice-chair for the Guam Historic Preservation Review Board and the Guam Preservation Trust Board, and her work on Guam as an instructor of Guam history at the university and high school levels.