Ignacio Dela Cruz, a Chamorro speech-language pathologist from Saipan, has spoken out against the idea of reunification between Guam and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), warning that the creation of a new, single Marianas Legislature would put the CNMI at a disadvantage due to Guam’s larger population.
“It's not unreasonable to think that more people from the island of Guam will be elected into those seats,” Dela Crus said. “Now, how can you represent a people if you are not of that people, and you do not know that people [...] We would have a disconnect with the people from Guam who are now elected to represent us.”
Dela Cruz expressed fears that reunification could erase CNMI’s distinct identity and autonomy. “Because one state cannot have two flags. So goodbye to the flag that we have held our hands to our hearts, that we have throughout school and in special events, goodbye to the CNMI and anthem that we all know by heart,” he said.
Another significant concern raised by Dela Cruz is the potential loss of Article 12 of the CNMI Constitution, which restricts land ownership to individuals of Northern Marianas descent. This provision has been a cornerstone of CNMI’s efforts to preserve indigenous land ownership and cultural heritage.
The discussion of reunification is rooted in historical context. The Mariana Islands were politically separated following the Spanish-American War in 1898, when Guam was ceded to the United States, while the Northern Marianas came under German, and later Japanese, control. Efforts to reunify the islands have surfaced periodically. In a 1969 referendum, 61% of Northern Marianas voters supported integration with Guam, but the proposal was rejected by 58% of Guamanian voters.
In recent developments, the governors of Guam and the CNMI have humorously entertained the idea of becoming the 51st U.S. state. However, CNMI Governor Arnold Palacios noted that such a prospect is not expected to materialize in the near future.
