Heinz-David to go independent?

The camp of gubernatorial aspirants Reps. Heinz S. Hofschneider and David Apatang will make known today their decision whether to pursue their candidacy as independent—and therefore break away from the ruling party—or stick with the ruling Republican Party.

This comes soon after the NMI Republican Party central committee decided Monday night to endorse the re-election bid of Gov. Juan N. Babauta and Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente, saying the tandem meets the party’s rules and by-laws.

Former senator Juan P. Tenorio, who chairs the Committee to Elect Heinz and David, said yesterday that the lawmakers’ “final verdict” will be known today.

“The group is meeting tonight [Tuesday night] to discuss the party decision and to decide what we’ll do. The final verdict will be known [today],” said Tenorio.

He said the Heinz-David camp would decide whether to run as independent or stick with the party and support the Babauta-Benavente tandem.

Both Hofschneider and Apatang were reached yesterday but they would not give their comments on the GOP central committee’s decision.

The NMI Republican Party had opted Monday to support the incumbents, saying that Hofschneider’s running mate, Apatang, is not a Republican to begin with.

Apatang ran as an independent candidate in the 2003 mid-term elections, winning him a House seat. In 2001, he ran for a Senate seat under Covenant Party but lost.

A member of a major opposition party yesterday said that Hofschneider can just leave GOP.

“He can join us anytime,” said the opposition member, who declined to be named.

For his part, Senate President Joaquin G. Adriano said he fully respect the decision of the GOP’s central committee.

He expressed confidence that the Babauta-Benavente team “has big chances to win the elections.”

“They are the administration candidates. And they [Babauta and Benavente] remain together. That makes them a strong team,” said Adriano.

He said he believes that the central committee “made a fair decision” but he conceded that a breakaway move by Hofschneider would not be good to the party.

“I hope we can come to the table and be united,” he said.

Acting House minority leader Ray Tebuteb said he would have favored a primary but said he respects the decision of the party.

“I trust that their decision is based on the rules and by-laws of the party,” said Tebuteb.

As for Hofschneider and Apatang’s options, he said he would not be happy to lose them from the party but will respect their decision.

“I respect them and I will respect whatever decision they’d take,” he said.

As for himself, “I’m absolutely Republican.”