Fitial-Villagomez tandem kicks off campaign

House Speaker Benigno Fitial and Vice Speaker Timothy Villagomez led members and supporters of the Covenant Party in a kick-off rally yesterday at the the Susupe Civic Center to begin the political campaign for the 2005 elections.

With the slogan “Better Times 2005,” the Fitial-Villagomez tandem vowed to make major reforms in the government if they are elected governor and lieutenant governor, respectively.

The Covenant rally came about at a time when the incumbent Republican Party is still undecided as to which among two aspiring teams would be the party’s official candidates. Gov. Juan N. Babauta and Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente have expressed their desire to seek reelection, while House Reps. Heinz Hofschneider and David Apatang also want to run for governor and lieutenant governor, respectively, under the Republican Party.

Hundreds of Covenant Party supporters assembled at the Susupe basketball court yesterday morning until the afternoon, in a gathering overflowing with food, drinks, and entertainment. Fitial said the sizeable crowd strongly indicates the people’s desire for change in the government.

“We want to change the lifestyle of this government,” he said. “This government has only been for a few people. This is not right. We want to right this particular wrong.”

Fitial added that the Babauta administration “has not been truly responsive to the needs of the people, including the business community.”

“That’s why the economy is so bad. When we talk about the economy, we’re talking about business,” he said.

Both Fitial and Villagomez said that the Covenant Party would be focused on its own political campaign regardless of developments in other political camps, including the possibility of factionalism in the Republican Party.

The Covenant Party also announced its candidates for Saipan, Tinian, and Rota, as well as the Northern Islands. The slate of candidates for Saipan, though, has yet to be completed.

Saipan mayor Juan Borja Tudela declared that he is seeking reelection, saying that he would want to implement more projects for his second term. Tudela claimed credit for the completion of street-naming project on Saipan and the implementation of the identification card system on the island.

“I accomplished a lot. People witnessed that and people know what I’m doing,” the mayor said. Another project that he wants implemented is the impounding of stray dogs on the island.

Tudela also vowed to continue with road repair, water delivery, and healthcare and utility bills assistance, among other projects, if elected for another term.

The party’s candidates for Rota include former Senate president and Rota mayor Joseph Songao Inos, who is running for mayor; Felix Taisacan Mendiola and Jovita Maratita Taimanao for senator; and incumbent House Rep. Crispin Manglona Ogo, who seeks reelection.

“The economy on Rota is at its lowest ebb during this time…. We do not accept to live in the next four years under Mother Nature’s pleasure,” Inos said. “[We want] better times for Rota.”

Covenant Party chairman Martin Manglona disclosed Tinian’s candidates as Jose San Nicolas for mayor, Joaquin Borja for senator, and Edwin P. Aldan as House representative. Incumbent senator Joseph Mendiola seeks reelection. Tobias DLC. Aldan is the party’s candidate for mayor of the Northern Islands.