Pedo Terlaje


Jose Toves Terlaje, known as Pedo Terlaje, is a Guamanian politician and former police officer who currently serves as a senator in the Guam Legislature and Chairperson of the Committee on Public Safety, Border Safety, Military and Veteran Affairs, Mayors Council, Infrastructure and Public Transit.

Early life and education

Terlaje was born in Yona, Guam to his parents Jesus Castro Terlaje and Emilia Gogo Toves Terlaje and has nine siblings.
Terlaje graduated from George Washington Senior High School in 1967. He earned an Associate of Arts in Political Science and subsequently a Bachelor of Arts in Business and Public Administration from the University of Guam in 1979.
Terlaje is the former officer of Guam Police Department and director of Civil Defense/Guam Emergency Office.

Personal life

Terlaje was married to Florentina "Flo" Peredo Acfalle and had four children including Joey, Joel, Janet and Joshua.

Political career

Santos-Telaje campaign

In 1998, Terlaje was the lieutenant governor candidate who ran with gubernatorial candidate Angel Santos for the Democratic Nomination for Governor and Lieutenant Governor of Guam. Their campaign slogan was "HITA," which is a Chamorro inclusive form of "we" and stands for "Honesty Integrity Trust and Accountability." The HITA ticket was defeated in the primary election, having garnered 19% of the Democratic primary votes.

Mayor of Yona

Terlaje was first elected to serve as Mayor of Yona, Guam in the 2000 general election. He was reelected to two more terms in 2004 and 2008, respectively. His tenure as Mayor was from 2001 to 2013.

Guam Legislature

Elections

Terlaje ran for the 29th Guam Legislature in 2006. He placed 7th in the Democratic primary election in August, advancing to the general election. He placed 23rd in the general election in November and did not earn a seat in the legislature.
Terlaje ran for the 35th Guam Legislature in 2018. He placed 11th in the Democratic primary election in August, advancing to the general election. He placed 15th in the general election in November, earning a seat in the legislature.

Legislative Accomplishments

Supported Public Law 35-36 to Hire 100 New Police Officers.
Sponsored Bill 183-35 to beef up with the personnel at the Department of Corrections with 10 new reservists.
Co-Sponsored Bill 227-35 to fund two new DOC Officer Recruit Cycles to support DOC.
Co-Sponsored Bill 225-35 to fund two new Firefighter recruit cycles to support GFD.
Co-Sponsored Bill 244-35 to support DYA Youth Service Workers by providing them with counseling and rehabilitation training.
Sponsored Bill 273-35 to establish a Park Patrol reserve to enforce laws that protect the environment.
Co-Sponsored Bill 235-35 to provide an additional $1 million to the Attorney General of Guam to enforce laws.
Sponsored Bill 182-35 to authorize a prison commissary to stop the flow of contraband into DOC.
Sponsored Bill 274-35 to establish an automatic traffic enforcement program.
Sponsored Bill 272-35 to enter into a public private partnership to scan all entering Guam ports of entry 100% to stop the importation of drugs.
Co-Sponsored Bill 185-35 known as Pugua’s Law, to protecting pets from abuse.
Sponsored Bill 52-35 to ensure that repeat sexual offenders must receive at least 25 years to life in prison.
Co-Sponsored Bill 165-35 to incliude more advanced diabetes screening in Guam’s health insurance law.
Co-Sponsored Bill 164-35 to include lung cancer screening in all health insurance plans on Guam.
Sponsored Bill 255-35 to provide choice in GovGuam Health Insurance to afford employees choice in providers.
Co-Sponsored Public Law 35-38 to raise the minimum wage.
Sponsored Public Law 35-26 to authorize the building of a Mass Transit hub to improve public transportation on Guam.
Co-sponsored Public Law 35-5 which made cannabis legal for adults over the age of 21.
Supported Public Law 35-36 to make the enforcement of the federal Cockfighting ban the lowest priority of the Government of Guam.
Sponsored Bill 64-35 to authorize the use of electronic bingo minders.
Public Law 35-62 to renovate and improve the University of Guam Field House.
Public Law 35-50 to protect the elderly from abuse and financial exploitation.
Supported Public Law 35-61 to finally pay war claims to World War II survivors.
Co-sponsored Public Law 35-4 and Sponsored Public Law 35-10 to support mayors and save the tradition of the liberation carnival by allowing games of chance.

Leadership roles