Saipan Tribune

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

'Impeachment is not about race'

Special Committee on Impeachment chair Rep. Joe Deleon Guerrero (R-Saipan) said the ongoing proceedings related to a resolution impeaching Gov. Benigno R. Fitial are all about 16 allegations of felony, corruption, and neglect of duty, and not about race or ethnicity as is being claimed by Fitial and his supporters during village campaigns ahead of the Nov. 6 midterm elections.

Deleon Guerrero said the claims being made by Fitial and other Republicans are “very disturbing” and meant to “appeal to people's emotions.”

“The governor and his supporters have been making statements during their village campaigns that the reason he's being impeached is because he is a Carolinian. That is not true and that is a very disturbing statement. The articles of impeachment do not have any mention of race. They are creating racial tension, which is a concern,” the chairman said.

Deleon Guerrero said he will be asking the Legislative Bureau to request Department of Public Safety presence during committee deliberations and during the full House voting on the impeachment resolution.

A Carolinian leader, in a phone interview last night, said he himself does not speak of race or ethnicity during election speeches before crowds. He said the Republican candidates are speaking up on the reasons why they should be voted into office. He described the other camp's statement as “scare tactic.” He also said that race or ethnicity is a sensitive issue, yet it comes up during discussions and gatherings.

Deleon Guerrero said these issues are a cause for concern because of the animosity being created.

“I would like the public to be on notice,” he said.

The impeachment proceedings will wrap up on Friday. They are shown live on Channel 60 and are posted on Facebook by some concerned citizens, including Glen Hunter.