By Johnnie Rosario
(Tumon, Guam) Republican Congressman Ralph Yumul, who returned to Saipan today from a family vacation in the Philippines, contacted Kandit News Group to disclose that he does not avail of the monthly allowance to legislators. He also showed Kandit evidence of a scheme by Speaker Blas Jonathan Attao to pressure Republican House members to sign the template letter that 10 other Republicans signed refusing to disclose their receipts of purchases made from public funds advanced to members of the Commonwealth Legislature every month.
The advance of between $2,500 to $5,000 every month is an option that some legislators take, while others do not take it. Thus far, it has been disclosed that House members Ed Propst, Tina Sablan, and Edmund Villagomez - all part of the independent minority - do not take the allowance. Mr. Yumul is the first and only Republican member to disclose that he does not take the allowance either.
"I don’t receive subsistence or allowance other than for travel and for operational field purchases," Mr. Yumul wrote to Kandit today.
Mr. Yumul went further, telling Kandit that Mr. Attao had the template letter that refused disclosure sent to him with the instructions to sign the letter or he would be in violation of the law. Mr. Yumul was traveling at the time. He informed his assistant to have the speaker sign it if it was important, without having the opportunity to read the letter. The congressman provided evidence of the incident, which you may view below.
Mr. Yumul even provided evidence of the off island travel - his boarding pass stub - showing his return to Saipan via Korea from the Philippines. Incidentally, he did not fly first class.
Hats off to Ralph Yumul for his honorable behavior.
So now there are four: Ed Probst, Tina Sablan, Edmund Villagomez and now Mr. Yumul. This is a good start! The question is, how long will it take for the rest of the mob to see the light?
Ambrose, when's the revolution? Enough of the letters to the Marianas Lack of Variety. What we need is a good old fashioned "taking it to the streets" movement. Either shit or get off the pot. Tell Propst to pick up the phone and start calling Interior, Department of Justice, or the Blues Brothers.
BLUES BROTHERS - Clip: Triple Rock Baptist Church (The Old Landmark)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdxSfPURVpk
We need to thank someone for not ripping us off? Ok, but that's like thanking CUC for giving us water that we can't drink, and electricity we can't pay for.
Big shout out and kudos to Congressman Yumul for doing the right. The people that trusted you and put you in that position will forever remember you. I will rally for you on the next election. Stand tall, stand big and I applaud you for being honest and doing the right thing!