Babauta vows to fill all slots for mid-term elections

Juan N. Babauta, the newly elected president of the CNMI Republican Party, disclosed yesterday that initial concerns raised about the constitutionality of the party’s new leadership have been ironed out.

Babauta told Saipan Tribune yesterday that the issue was settled after he talked with longtime Republican member Rep. Ramon Tebuteb, who earlier described as “unofficial” the general membership meeting and election of new officers held on July 8 at the Garapan Central Park. Tebuteb raised his concerns in a letter to former party president Juan I. Tenorio, saying he doesn’t recognize the new party leadership, that the GOP bylaws and policies were blatantly disregarded when 1,077 former Covenant Party members were accepted to its fold, and that what happened on July 8 was similar to a hostile takeover under the guise of a merger or transition.

Babauta, a former governor, believes that his conversation with Tebuteb has brought these issues to end.

“I talked to him [Rep. Tebuteb] and he told me that it was not what he meant [as quoted in the paper]. So I guess those issues were settled now,” said Babauta.

Saipan Tribune was unable to obtain comments from Tebuteb yesterday.

Babauta assured yesterday that the GOP will fill all slots in the upcoming midterm polls in November 2012. He disclosed that the party will undergo a “reorganization” and streamlining of its bylaws. Once finalized and adopted by the board and membership, the selection of candidates will come next.

“Once we get our bylaws together, we will begin to look at the candidates. We will fill all slots,” he said.

Seats that will be filled in the midterm elections are for House and Senate members whose terms are expiring and the delegate position.

Babauta emphasized the importance of adhering to the party’s bylaws because it identifies the steps that the group must take, especially in terms of candidates’ selection and other procedures. The “clarifying process” aims to prevent future problems in the party’s procedures, according to Babauta.

He said an announcement will be made once the final list of candidates is ready.

“The party still needs to line up the candidates and we’re going through some reorganization. We will go from there,” he added.

Babauta himself ran for delegate last year but lost to incumbent Delegate Gregorio Kilili Sablan.

Besides Babauta, the new GOP board members are Richard Seman, Ramon “Ray” Salas, Edward Deleon Guerrero, and Rita Chong. The members also re-elected Roman “Bo” Palacios Jr. as national committeeman and elected Viola Alepuyo as national committeewoman. Alepuyo’s term will start in September 2012.