First Chamorro governor, first newspaper publisher

Joseph Flores (1900 – 1981) was the first Chamorro to serve as governor of Guam. He also founded Guam’s first locally owned newspaper and financial institution, and was one of Guam’s most prominent early businessmen.

Flores was born on Guam and educated on the island in his youth. He first worked as a messenger for the Naval government on Guam and later as an operator for the Navy’s cable station as a teen. In 1917, in the middle of World War I, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and shipped out of Guam, hoping to become a part of the adventure of the war. While he didn’t see combat, he served on maneuvers in Cuba and British West Indies after the war was over.

After his Navy stint, Flores settled in San Francisco, where he married his wife, Angela. He worked at various companies, including a grave-registration agency, a direct-mail advertising company, and the Santa Fe Railroad Co.

While he made way bills for the railroad, he used his spare time to open a print shop in his San Francisco home and start a four-page weekly newspaper called the South of Market Street Tribune, which was distributed free. The paper was profitable in the 1920s but was wiped out by the Great Depression and a printers’ strike. Flores stayed in San Francisco where he prospered in the 1930s. By the end of World War II he had five weekly newspapers in the area.

Flores decided to return to war-ravaged Guam in 1947 to help his two brothers, Joaquin and Jesus. Their company, named “Flores Brothers,” opened an import company and general merchandise store that operated where BankPacific now sits in Hagåtña.

Bought Guam Daily News

When the U.S. Navy decided to sell its publishing business three years later, Flores was awarded the bid for $37,000. The Guam Daily News was born in Navy Quonset quarters in Agana Heights and Flores was the first local newspaper publisher. Flores published the Daily News for twenty years and also founded the Territorial Sun, a Sunday newspaper. In 1970, he sold the printing and newspaper business to Chin Ho, publisher of the Honolulu Star Bulletin, who later sold it to publishing giant Gannett Newspapers.

Governor for one year

In 1960, President Eisenhower, a Republican, appointed Flores as the first locally born governor of Guam. As governor, a position he served until 1961, he advocated self-rule for Guam, opened his doors to all residents, and established new public health centers in Mangilao, Piti, Talofofo, and Asan. Because of Flores’s efforts, the University of Guam became a land-grant college at this time. When President John F. Kennedy, a Democrat, became president in 1962, Flores submitted his courtesy resignation.

Flores was one of the founders of the Republican Party of Guam in 1966 after its predecessor, the Territorial Party, lost all its seats to the Democrats in that year’s elections.

Flores founded a number of other businesses that thrived, including the Guam Savings and Loan Association in 1954 (now named BankPacific) and its sister company Marianas Finance Co. a few months later. BankPacific is now run by his grandson, Phillip Flores.

Flores founded one of Guam’s first insurance companies, Pacific American Insurance Company, and airlines, Guam Air Lines (both now non-existent). He also owned several office buildings and Casa de Flores, a motel-apartment complex in Agana Heights.

Flores also served as chairman of the University of Guam Board of Regents, chairman of the Territorial Planning Commission, and a member of the Guam Chamber of Commerce, Young Men’s League of Guam, and the Elks Club. He was also quite proud of being a knight of St. Sylvester. This honorary title, awarded by the Pope, recognizes Catholic laymen who are actively involved in the life of the church, particularly as it is exemplified in the exercise of their professional duties.

He was inducted into the Guam Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame in 1992.

By Leo Babauta

For further reading

Guam Chamber of Commerce
“Hall of Fame Laureate Profile: Joseph Flores.” (accessed September 13, 2007)

Political Status Education Coordinating Commission. Hale’-ta – I Manfåyi: Who’s Who in Chamorro History. Hagåtña: Political Status Education Coordinating Commission, 1995.