A big I can’t believe it’s already October to all of you.

Just a quick reminder – THANK YOU – for being a paid subscriber and MJR supporter.

We’ve had a week full of news, mostly focusing on Guam Del. James Moylan’s payroll and benefits information. In August, Moylan announced that he had referred a potential criminal action that occurred in his office to the Department of Justice. But he did not say what the crime was, only that it involved personnel and benefits issues.

Last week, Steve Limtiaco published his investigative story after researching congressional House records. He found that Moylan had paid his staff unusually large bonus payouts compared to other members of the House of Representatives and the CNMI delegate over the 2023 and 2024 terms.

Moylan did not answer our request for an interview; instead, he appeared on Talk Radio with Guam host Patti Arroyo. Even then, he would not admit that the bonuses were the subject of the investigation. We reported on that interview, and shortly afterward Moylan told us he was willing to speak with My Jungle Rules.

In that interview a few days ago, Moylan finally confirmed that the bonuses were the subject of the investigation—although he would not allow us to see his payroll authorizations. We wanted to know who signed off on the payouts. Moylan also would not confirm whether he personally approved the bonuses or explain how the amounts were determined.

There’s still more to come on this issue. As Steve noted in our podcast, accountability stories are the most important work we do. They keep power in check. We’ve always believed that, and we will continue to focus on that mission.

Therese Padua Howe was on vacation this week, but even from her very romantic anniversary getaway, she managed to publish a story on Judge Johnny Cepeda Gogo’s flag-signing project, Hasso. The project involves CHamorus who survived WWII. At the same time, Gogo has been traveling around the country to connect with Japanese Americans who were interned on the mainland during the war, inviting them to participate in the project.

His work on this latter effort has now earned him a humanitarian award, even as he begins to wind down his active pursuit of signatures from the internees.

Learn how he got started.

Former Guam Delegate and Lt. Gov. Madeleine Bordallo looks and is amazing. At 92, this icon of Guam is still going strong. Steve sat down with her for a couple of hours to discuss the work she is currently doing, her perspectives on Guam’s political relationship with Washington, and her enduring love for the island. You won’t want to miss it—we expect to publish Monday, Guam time.

Our podcast next week will feature Therese and me talking about our passion projects: My Jungle Rules in the Garden and Not Done Yet. Therese is the home gardener who can grow just about anything, and her site highlights her projects as well as gardening events across Hawai‘i—for now. She plans to expand to Guam soon.

Not Done Yet is my project, focusing on aging with intent. What does that mean? It’s about choosing to live with purpose, curiosity, and resilience, no matter what stage of life you’re in. It’s about building the next chapter with as much energy as the first.

Thank you for being with us on this journey. We’re grateful to share stories that matter—whether it’s holding leaders accountable, honoring our history, or exploring how we keep growing as people and as a community.

See you next week.

Email me at [email protected].

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