On Wednesday evening I sat with my father reading the article by Frank Benavente. We commented on the article as well as the obvious last name. On Oct. 22, an Alexander Villagomez wrote in response to that letter. What caught my attention was Alexander's assumption that Frank was involved in my father's campaign.
There are many things I have heard about my father, some good and some bad. Those who know my father or have met him at one time or another have seen he has no qualms discussing his point of view or asking for yours. My father has been in the public eye for many years and with it came scrutiny; as a family we have accepted this and maintained a dignified silence. Yet, as Alexander has seen fit to clarify his point of view with a firsthand account and defend a mayoral candidate, I will do so accordingly.
My father has never engaged in mud slinging. He has run in three elections and regardless of the result never attempted to defame his running mates. He has never used petty tactics to undermine the campaign of another. He has not promised scores of jobs to people. It is also known that he has never conducted any fundraising activities to operate his campaign as he believes his role is not to take money from people but to work to help them keep it. What my father has done is run a clean election with respect for all this running mates; visited with people across the island to hear their concerns; offered alternatives that he sees are progressive; take advice and consider your point of view.
Thus far I have only once alluded to Alexander's or Frank's last names. As Alexander has demonstrated, here in the CNMI we are all judged by our last names. Yet it does not matter that Roman and Frank are Benaventes or that Angelo and Alexander are Villagomezs or Tenorio or Camacho or Flores (you get the idea). What does matter and what we should all ask ourselves is after the inauguration in January 2010, which candidate will not shut the door on you when you walk in unannounced to voice a concern? My father, Roman Cepeda Benavente, is a man who is an experienced public servant. My father is a man with family values and tradition, balanced with a keen eye for change. Now that, Alexander, you can believe came directly from the campaign. No mud slinging necessary.
Darrah Benavente-Tagabuel
Koblerville, Saipan
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