By Tim Rohr
Today, the Pacific Daily News published the story "Gubernatorial teams share views on abortion, schools at forum." Let's take a look at the candidates' views on abortion.
However, first, there is the question of why abortion was even a question. Currently, there is no legislation before the legislature either for or against abortion; there is not even a proposal of legislation, nor does it appear that abortion will be a legislative issue in the foreseeable future. There aren't even any doctors in Guam who will perform them. So why was this a question?
The forum says it all: The Women's Chamber of Commerce," a group founded by the now-Governor Lou Leon Guerrero, Guam's most famous and most radical abortion proponent, and most of the Women's Chamber is in the boat with her.
Usually, when abortion is brought up in a campaign, it's a pro-life group that's behind it, like The Esperansa Project was for several years. In fact, since I was one of the founders of The Esperansa Project, I get asked, almost every campaign season, for my thoughts on the candidates relative to the abortion issue. My most recent reply was "abortion is not an issue in this campaign," and it isn't.
But apparently, for the Women's Chamber, it is. The question was asked because the Women's Chamber wants to know which candidate will be the most aggressive in advancing greater access to abortion in Guam.
Since the last abortionist in Guam closed up shop in 2018, the same year "Lou" began her run for governor, the pro-aborts have been vicious about restoring unlimited and unregulated access to abortion. As soon as Lou got elected, she placed Jayne Flores at the head of the Bureau of Women's Affairs, and from all the evidence, Jayne had one job: get those abortion numbers up.
At first, Jayne tried to entice Planned Parenthood, the nation's largest abortion provider, to set up a clinic in Guam. In an email to Deborah Nucatola, MD, the medical director for Planned Parenthood in Hawaii, dated June 25, 2019, Jayne wrote:
"Hafa Adai Deborah...we are in need of abortion services…We are currently trying to quietly survey clinics on Guam that would allow visiting physicians to perform surgical abortions. Another option, if PP wanted to open a clinic here, is that we do have a medical clinic that recently closed. Would there be a possibility that PP would be interested in leasing this space to set up its own clinic?"
Jayne then went on to add:
"I would describe the atmosphere on our island, with its 165,000 population that is majority Catholic, as initially hostile toward this issue. However, over half of the voting public cast ballots in favor of our first female governor…despite her openly pro-choice stance. So there is hope."
(The full email string can be accessed here.)
So "there is hope!" Yes, there is hope that with the election of Lou Leon Guerrero, the people of Guam might continue their genocidal slaughter of their own children, as the following graph demonstrates:
(Copies of the official abortion reports are here.)
It would be funny if it weren't so sad. The loudest pro-aborts in Guam are also the loudest advocates for preserving the Chamorro (old spelling used on purpose) language and culture, etc. How do you do that without succeeding generations? As the late Senator Elizabeth Arriola said during a debate over her now famous "Belle's Law:"
"Let me tell you, at the rate Guam Memorial Hospital is aborting children, between 400-600 a year, and most of them are not even reported. Where are the lives that we are going to protect and preserve? Here we go talking about indigenous rights and self-determination. What good is all that if we don't have our followers to follow and enjoy the fruits of our labor, of this generation's labor, of your labor and my labor to fix this island and have autonomous rights to govern our people?"
By the way, before going on to analyze the candidates' responses, Lou and Jayne, in their lust to abort more Guam babies, would fabricate the events that set up the ACLU lawsuit in 2021. In other words, Lou and Jayne were behind the lawsuit, which effectively amounted to us suing ourselves. Read more here.
So, the Women's Chamber is just continuing the Lou and Jayne agenda, and now that Lou, Guam's abortion queen, is coming to the end of her reign, the Women's Chamber, Lou's creation, wants assurance that women, particularly Chamorro women (given the data), can continue aborting their babies. Thus, the abortion question at this forum.
The PDN article begins: "Across a two-hour panel at the Crowne Plaza in Tumon, the teams addressed reproductive health care..."
Seriously, is there any other area in the practice of medicine where the direct killing of a human being is called "health care?" In fact, can the direct killing of a human being even be labeled "the practice of medicine?" The fact that the pro-aborts cannot call it what it is should tell us everything we need to know.
Joe San Agustin and Dwayne San Nicolas
Former senator and school counselor Dwayne San Nicolas, running for lieutenant governor with Sen. Joe San Agustin, said their team supports protecting personal decision-making while maintaining a pro-life stance.
“Every election, we always struggle with these questions about abortion and women’s rights,” he said, further telling the audience that as a former school counselor he listened to girls who have gone through sexual trauma.
“Joe and I are both pro-life, but we want to protect your right to make that decision for yourself,” he said.
San Nicolas described abortion as an experience that can have long-lasting emotional effects on women and stated that its impact may continue for many years afterward. He said the ticket would “do whatever we can to be compassionate, and you know, provide the necessary programs to assist our women in that regard.”
This is the old "I'm personally pro-life, but..." argument, originally made infamous by the late Mario Cuomo, the former mayor of New York, and since championed by more famous Catholic politicians such as Ted Kennedy, Joe Biden, and Nancy Pelosi.
It's usually followed by some statement of compassion and assurances to better "assist women, "just as San Nicolas does here. It's interesting that San Agustin let San Nicolas do the talking on this. San Agustin is a big shot at the Yigo church and appears to have his pastor's protection. Of course, that's the real problem. But we'll address that another time.
Therese Terlaje and Sabina Perez
Sen. Therese Terlaje, who is running for governor with Sen. Sabina Perez, focused on access to reproductive health services and medical infrastructure gaps.
According to sworn testimony from career nurses and a former acting chief public health officer at the Department of Public Health and Social Services, Terlaje said that the prolonged closure of the Mangilao clinic significantly reduced access to health care services for pregnant women and children in Guam.
Terlaje said she fought hard to have Public Health’s Mangilao clinic, which closed in 2019, reopened.
She reminded voters that “while the Supreme Court of Guam, and Guam law currently allow access to abortion services here under very limited conditions, Guam law also contains some of the strictest provisions, including consultation, counseling, disclosure, and reporting requirements.”
Terlaje said her priority would be addressing the factors that can make pregnancy difficult for women and ensuring comprehensive support for children born on Guam, including the approximately 700 children in the foster care system. She referenced her legislative record of increasing financial, medical, housing, and transportation assistance for foster children and their families, strengthening protections for victims of criminal sexual conduct, and expanding drug rehabilitation programs and customs enforcement efforts.
Terlaje demonstrates here why she is the smartest of all the candidates: she doesn't address the issue of abortion at all, other than to say "Guam law...contains some of the strictest provisions." She's wrong here. She's referring to the informed consent law, which many other states have, and it's only "strict" if it's enforced. It's not.
The law requires the counselor to submit a document called a "checklist certification" to the Records Section at GMH. The certification is proof that the woman seeking the abortion went through the required in-person counseling process.
On February 6, 2025, I submitted a Freedom of Information Act request to Lillian Perez-Posadas, MN, RN, then the Administrator for Guam Memorial Hospital, the agency that includes the "Records Section," identified in the law requiring informed consent for abortion. I requested the "total number of checklist certifications" as required by 10GCA § 3218.1 (b)(5), for calendar year 2024.
On March 6, 2025, Posadas replied: "GMHA is not in possession of any documents responsive to your request." Meanwhile, Vital Statistics at DPHHS reported that there were 36 abortions for the calendar year 2024. 36 abortions and 0 certifications.
I followed up on the matter with the Attorney General. On March 23, 2025, the Guam Daily Post did a story about my efforts: "OAG asked to investigate 2 abortion doctors." At the end of the story, Attorney General Douglas Moylan is quoted as saying: “We will review and contact Mr. Rohr." Actually, I went to the Post with the story after two unsuccessful attempts to get a response from the AG: here and here.
After the story of my attempts to get an answer appeared in the Post, I still had to file two more requests with the AG: here and here. A few weeks later, the AG finally called me. The answer was that GMH had refused to accept the certifications, and there was nothing the AG could do.
This was a sort of head-shaking moment for me. Raidoo and Kaneshiro, the two abortion doctors from Hawaii who had been recruited by Lou and Jayne to do chemical abortions via tele-appointments, with the help of the ACLU, had sued the AG (and others) to bypass the in-person consultation requirement. The fight went all the way to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (which means the fight was very costly), where the Court ruled against Raidoo, Kaneshiro, and the ACLU and preserved Guam's right to require in-person consultation prior to an abortion.
After winning the expensive, two-year-long battle, I thought the AG might be interested in following up to see whether the law was actually being complied with. Oh well.
By the way, in case you want to know Terlaje and Perez's real position on abortion, both Terlaje and Perez voted against Bill 291-36, a bill that would have prohibited abortion of an unborn child with a detectable fetal heartbeat.
The vote really says more than the vote. Everyone knew that Governor LG would veto the bill, which she did, and that it would come back to the legislature and die a quiet death, which it did.
So voting "nay" really had no meaning other than to make a statement that, on principle, the "nay" voter believed that an unborn child has no right to life, even if the child has a detectable heartbeat, if the mother wants the child dead. So stop with the "healthcare" bullshit.
Frank Blas, Jr. and Mary Okada
Speaker Frank Blas Jr., speaking alongside running mate Mary Okada, told forum attendees that although he and Okada support “the sanctity of life,” their administration would not move to take away abortion rights while strengthening support systems around women.
“We also recognize that while we’re pro-life, it doesn’t mean taking away a woman’s dignity and right to choose,” he said.
Blas said their administration would focus on education, services and support so that women do not face decisions in fear or isolation.
“I think it is incumbent upon our administration, coming upon the government, to be able to provide the educational resources necessary to make those decisions,” he said. “To provide a strong supportive network, so that this decision doesn’t come out of fear, doesn’t come out of rhetoric, but comes out of the person’s decision, rightful decision, and recognizing what services are available, how to get the support, and to be a better person.”
Wow. I expected more of Frank, given his pro-life voting record. It would have been best for him to do as Terlaje did and steer clear of the question. The last paragraph would have done it. However, he began by saying that he and Okada "support 'the sanctity of life,'" but then goes on to say that he "would not move to take away abortion rights..."
This is another "I'm personally pro-life, but..." mumbling that Democrats are known for, except Frank is a Republican. Actually, no one cares what you or any other politician are "personally" for or against. What we care about is what you will DO if elected. So drop this "sanctity of life" bullshit. The translation, in case you need one, is that Blas and Okada support abortion. Man, now I don't know who I am going to vote for.
Tony Ada and E.J. Calvo
Vice Speaker Tony Ada, running for governor with businessman E.J. Calvo, framed his position in faith and legal compliance.
“I believe in the sanctity of life, and I believe every human life has value, including the unborn,” he said. “That belief is rooted in my faith and my family values. As governor, I will uphold and follow the law, while ensuring that women have access to legal health care services and accurate medical information.”
He said the issue is personal to him as the father of three daughters and a daughter-in-law, all of whom are young adults. He added that he wants women on Guam to have access to quality health care on the island so that families do not need to travel elsewhere for medical services that could be provided locally.
Ada said his administration would focus on “improving health care access, expanding maternal and prenatal care, supporting adoption services, strengthening family support programs, and ensuring women have access to legal contraception and reproductive health information.”
Calvo tied their approach to legal standards and social supports.
“Regarding abortion, we will respect the law while focusing on policies that help women choose life by making sure they’re not forced into difficult decisions because of financial hardship, lack of health care, or lack of support,” he said.
He said their administration’s approach will be centered on compassion, respect, and practical solutions.
“We may not all agree on this issue, but I believe we can agree that fewer unintended pregnancies, healthier, healthier mothers, stronger families, and better outcomes for children should be what we all share,” Calvo said.
This is pathetic. More "sanctity of life" bullshit. The "we will respect the law" means Ada and Calvo are just fine with abortion "at any time after the commencement of pregnancy," which means up to full term and to the time of delivery.
Under 9 GCA 31.20, and since 1978, abortion is legal in Guam "at any time after the commencement of pregnancy the physician reasonably determines using all available means that there is a substantial risk that continuance of the pregnancy would endanger the life of the mother or would gravely impair the physical or mental health of the mother."
This is the usual language, since Roe v Wade, used to support abortion for any reason and at any time, and it is still very legal in Guam. Apparently, Ada and Calvo are just fine with that.
Joshua Tenorio and Tina Muna-Barnes
Sen. Tina Muña-Barnes, running for lieutenant governor with Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorio, who is running for governor, said she supports reproductive autonomy while personally opposing abortion.
“A long time ago, when I was 17 and unwed, I had to make the hard choice, and I chose life,” she said. “I will always choose life, but I believe that the government has no business making that choice for others.”
She said decisions about reproductive health care should remain personal and supported through medical, social and family systems.
Tenorio warned that reproductive rights face political pressure nationally.
“These rights are under fire right now, the most violent way we’ve ever seen in the nation,” he said.
He mentioned a Medicaid waiver set to take effect on July 1 that will allow Medicaid to cover doula services. He also said his administration is focused on supporting women in recovery, particularly those preparing to reunite with their children, through housing assistance and long-term support services designed to help them overcome challenges and achieve stability.
Barnes stoops to the "I'm pro-life, but..." thing, saying "I will always choose life, but I believe that the government has no business making that choice for others." Of course, with that logic, we should make paying taxes voluntary as well. What business does the government have making choices for any of us? Right?
Tenorio, however, makes no concessions. While he steers away from outright saying "let's kill more babies," there is no question that if you want Planned Parenthood to set up shop in Guam, then Tenorio is your man, which, given his political lineage, should be no surprise.
Tenorio is also on record going to bat for abortion in Guam, when, in 2023, as one of 18 Democratic Lieutenant Governors, he signed a statement defending access to chemical abortions.
So, there you have it. This supposedly "Catholic" island has not a single candidate for governor who would legislatively oppose killing children in the womb.
I think I'll write in "+Elizabeth Arriola" for governor.
