Confab turns into political rally

Friday’s youth workforce-related conference turned into an arena for local politicians, including three gubernatorial candidates—Gov. Juan N. Babauta, Speaker Benigno R. Fitial, and Rep. Heinz S. Hofschneider—to throw punches at each other.

Tension filled the Hyatt Regency Hotel Saipan’s Sandcastle Room Friday morning after a 16-year old Youth Congress member, Marianas Baptist Academy student Roselle D. Calvo, stood up and questioned Babauta on his pronouncement that the state of the CNMI “is still pretty darn good.”

“Mr. Governor, in your State of the Commonwealth Address, you described the state of our economy as being ‘still pretty darn good’ but I don’t think that’s the reality. I don’t think the economy is doing good,” said Calvo.

When asked by the governor to explain, Calvo cited a number of reasons: gas prices going up, the fuel surcharge fee, new water rates, the pullout of Japan Airlines, and downsizing within the garment industry.

The governor pointed out that the high gas prices, which resulted in the implementation of the fuel surcharge, the garment industry’s downsizing, and JAL’s pullout are all beyond the CNMI’s control.

The governor also clarified that what he actually said in his SOCA was that “the state of our Commonwealth is still pretty darn good”—not “the state of the economy.” He said the state of Commonwealth includes all aspects of the CNMI society, not just its economy.

Fitial took issue with this, essentially saying that the state of the economy reflects the state of the Commonwealth. He also took exception to the governor’s suggestion that the garment industry takes more than what it gives the local community, saying the garment industry was instrumental in making services in the CNMI cheaper.

He said that insurance companies benefited from the industry and shipping costs to the CNMI became more affordable because the industry makes regular bulk shipments.

“These are all gains that we’ve enjoyed because of the garment industry,” said Fitial.

Senate minority leader Pete P. Reyes, a critic of the governor, fully agreed with Calvo’s observation that the economy is not doing good and also cited the benefits brought by the garment industry.

Hofschneider, meantime, said that losing one industry would be bearable if there is an alternative. In the case of the CNMI, he said there is no such alternative. He said the shrinking garment industry means less revenues and less funding for scholarships, less jobs.

“So that’s not pretty darn good,” he said.

Lt. Governor Diego T. Benavente spoke in defense of the governor, saying that the CNMI, when compared with other areas in the Pacific, “is doing good.”

As for Calvo, she said, “I think it’s deceiving people when you say it’s good when it’s not. As far as I know, last year was better than this year.”

Youth Congress member Ybeth Mafnas, 17, said that “in general, the state of the Commonwealth should be doing better because people are still working.” But she said that, “it’s getting to the point where it’s getting limited and people are getting stressed out.”

Mafnas and other Youth Congress members, including Calvo, Donald Manglona, 17, and Martin Quitugua, 18, said they felt that the heated discussions among the political leaders was “a great time” to know the candidates better.

“It’s great that politicians came. It’s interesting to see and hear them because they have different views on issues,” said Mafnas, an MBA student.

The youths said there was a particular tension among the three gubernatorial candidates.

“They would interrupt when one is speaking to say their piece. There was really tension,” said Calvo, daughter of Mary Ann Calvo, the chief of staff at the office of Sen. Luis P. Crisostimo.

Manglona, a student from Rota High School, said that, after hearing the discussions, he now understands more the issue on the fuel surcharge.

“My dad already explained this to me, so I know what’s going on. Now, I understand it’s a reasonable decision to keep the fuel surcharge,” said Manglona, son of CUC Rota resident director Charles Manglona.

Quitugua, of Rota High School, said that more forums of the same nature should be held to give the youth opportunities to get to know their local leaders and understand issues.

“I think politicians are getting a kick out of it. They’ve probably realized that the youths are not as ignorant as they assume,” he said.

He said listening to different people speak on issues “is one of the best ways in making decisions.”

“It’s good that we’re not limited to just one person talking about an issue. For instance, after hearing the discussions, some of the kids here said that maybe the fuel surcharge is necessary after all. By hearing all those different opinions, you develop your own point of view. That’s the best way to make a decision,” he said.

Friday’s forum was the last of the two-day conference sponsored by the CNMI Workforce Investment Agency and the CNMI Youth Congress.