MANY Solomon Islanders would have heard or met Ramon Quitales.
Originally from the Philippines, he came here more than 10 years ago when the logging industry was at its peak.
It’s not known how much he made from his involvement in the logging industry.
Observers however, believed he made a substantial amount of money, which kept him going after he bowed out from logging.
But Mr Quitales name is not synonymous with the logging industry.
He was known more for his political dealings and some of the incredible promises he made.
Heard of Socred Party? He was the brainchild of the now defunct party.
Mr Quitales once promised to build a 20-storey building at Town Ground in Honiara that will cater for shopping and residential homes.
Promise unfulfilled.
Then he promised the women of this nation that he will start a Women’s Bank, which will be for women only.
Promise unfulfilled.
As this is still not enough, he went on to announce his unthinkable plan to build a five-star hotel in the Weathercoast of Guadalcanal.
Until his death last Friday, there’s not a single sign of him fulfilling that either.
While on his hospital bed at the National Referral Hospital in Honiara last year, he called the Solomon Star to announce the formation of his new political party, which he said will contest this year’s election.
He called it SUN (Solomon United Nationalist Party) Party.
Mr Quitales said his new party will rebuild the country’s economy if it comes to power after the election.
He said the past governments have relied too much on borrowing and begging money from other countries rather than implementing strategies and policies to utilise the resources we have.
“Solomon Islands is a rich country with a lot of resources and I don’t see the point why we are still being like begging puppets to countries like Papua New Guinea, Australia and Taiwan for money,” he said.
“How long will we beg for money and suffer whilst our leaders are misusing public funds?” Mr Quitales asked.
“SUN Party will double the public servants salaries and make sure necessary services reach people in the rural areas,” he said.
SUN Party, like his previous promises, is yet to see the light of day when Mr Quitales passed away last Friday.
By GINA MAKA’A
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