Reyes spells out position

Sen. Pete P. Reyes said that, if endorsed by the Republican Party, he “will not campaign against” its standard bearer, Gov. Juan N. Babauta and Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente.

But the senator, who has strongly criticized the administration on various issues, did not say that he would campaign in support of the two officials.

In an April 29, 2005 letter to GOP chair John S. Reyes, senator Reyes said, “I have repeatedly mentioned that, if endorsed by the party, I will not campaign against the governor and the lieutenant governor.”

But for the rest of the GOP candidates, he said, “I have given my full support and will campaign for the rest of the Republican candidates.”

Reyes’ letter came after the GOP chair wrote him on April 22 asking the former’s “cooperation and timeliness in making a conclusive and straightforward clarification on your position in writing regarding your support for the GOP standard bearer [Babauta and Benavente] and the rest of GOP slates” for the Nov. 5 general elections.

GOP’s Reyes said in the letter that the senator was given an opportunity to meet with the party central committee “for the purpose of bringing to an affirmative resolution an issue…”

Further, GOP’s Reyes said that on April 11, the senator was afforded the opportunity to meet with Babauta and Benavente over lunch in Garapan “with the sincere intention of facilitating a resolution on an issue and a concern privy to you personally, and in the presence of members of the GOP leadership.”

The party chair said the senator “pleaded with the GOP leadership…to provide you additional opportunities to meet personally” with Babauta and Benavente.

In his April 29 letter, the senator said, “I appreciate the suggestion that I pleaded with the GOP leadership… [but] I was invited to that meeting and met with you and the committee.”

Further, Sen. Reyes said it was wrong for the committee to assume that he goes to the media to report issues that may not be favorable to the administration.

The senator further said, “I am given the impression that if I behave, I may be endorsed. I think this is wrong. I believe it is also wrong in our democratic system of government to be expected to compromise my principle and beliefs in order to seek endorsement from my party.”

GOP’s Reyes failed to respond to calls for comments yesterday.