Piteg: I’m running because I want to see change

Considered one of the underdogs in this year’s general elections, Precinct 1 representative candidate Ben Piteg expresses that he wants to see changes in the CNMI and hopes he is given the chance to do so follow this year’s elections.

In a statement from Piteg, a CNMI public servant for over two decades, he said he decided to run as Precinct 1 Representatives because like many other CNMI residents, he knows what it feels to suffer.

“Are we satisfied with our current situation? With the austerity measures, and the cost of food in the market, do we have assurances about the retirement pension? Are we OK with our [Commonwealth Utilities Corp.] billings? What are our lawmaker doing to help us? I’m also one of the ordinary citizens who are suffering so that is why I decided to run. I want to help people and myself too with the problems we are facing,” he said.

Piteg encourages Precinct 1 voters to support him and the Republican Party for change.

“If you’re not satisfied with what we’re going through, then please support the Republican Party. I’m seriously running for the people. I know what it feels like to be in this current situation,” he said.

When asked what his first course of action would be, Piteg said he will push for the reinstatement of Annex 6.

“I only have two years to run but the first thing I will do is fight for the Annex 6. We need tourists to come in and spend their money here. The second thing I’m going to do is improve our sites so we can convince tourists to come back and visit. Our hotels are closing down, Saipan Tribune is closing down, are we going to continue with this trend or do we want to do something about it? I want to run because I want to do something,” he said.

“I have been a government servant for many years, I have been with Customs for over 20 years, so I know how it works and I see how people come in and I know how much taxes are collected and how much goes to the general fund. Waive CUC, why not help the people and waive a portion of their bill? Everything is for the government but what about the people? It’s very sad because they raised taxes and then burden the public,” Piteg added.