Cing voices last-minute support for GOP

Former Tinian senator and Democratic Party stalwart David Cing has spoken “loud and clear” in support of Republican Party candidates during a rally Saturday on Tinian, GOP said.

“He [Cing] was there in the rally and he spoke in support of the party, and even of the governor. He said that because of the debate last Wednesday, he found the governor to be very professional. He said he did very well in the debate and he did it very professionally,” said GOP chair John S. Reyes.

In a separate interview, Republican Senate president and Tinian mayoral candidate Joaquin G. Adriano confirmed that Cing spoke during the rally held at the GOP headquarters on Tinian.

“He [Cing] was telling the governor, lieutenant governor, and the Washington Representative [during the rally] that, ‘From this night on, you have my authority to print that Tinian Democratic party supports you,’” said Adriano, quoting the ex-senator.

“I believe he is with the Republican camp,” said Adriano.

In an interview yesterday, Cing said that he considers Gov. Juan N. Babauta to be the winner in last Wednesday’s gubernatorial debate.

“If people are looking for a voice, the governor made it. He made a perfect [performance]. The governor was more prepared. I hate to say it but Heinz was cocky. I wish Heinz just answered the questions without putting extra flowers to look good. You know, you don’t have to impress,” said Cing.

Cing earlier said that he had committed himself to vote for independent gubernatorial candidate Heinz S. Hofschneider.

When asked yesterday, Cing said, “ I wish the debate had been earlier. It’s very hard when you’ve committed yourself. This debate should be changed. It should be earlier, not when people have committed themselves,” said Cing.

He said he watched the debate’s telecast during the weekend and did not like the candidates putting all the blame on the Babauta administration.

“You just have to tell the truth and stop lying. By golly, these candidates know the history of this government. For example, on the issue of CUC emergency, I agree with Heinz and Fitial that it’s mismanagement. But both of them had allowed the governor [on the emergency declaration] so they should not be blaming Babauta on that issue.”

He said that back in the ’70s, CUC power plants were installed “because people were crying for government’s help.”

“So the government went ahead. The problem was, it was installed without negotiating with the business sector. When it’s up, these people [businesses] were already providing their own electricity because they have generators. The issue is, you can’t run that machine at the desired level unless you charge the people so much. It’s like, if you allow Rota now to generate 10MW like Tinian when it only needs 2MW, you would be forcing Tinian and Saipan to pay for them. Now, the other candidates turned around and blamed Gov. Babauta. The governor, to his credit, is trying his best in that regard,” said Cing.

The governor took emergency control of the CUC since May this year due to power crisis caused by rundown generation plants and the lack of funding to buy needed fuel.