Who they are, what you see, and what you don’t

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE CANDIDATES
PRECINCT 4 CANDIDATES

Editor’s Note: There are four candidates for this precinct. This forum earlier came out with the profile of Republican Party candidate Enrique T. Dela Cruz. Candidates Candido B. Taman (Republican) and Justo S. Quitugua (Democrat) declined to participate.

GONZALO Q. SANTOS
Covenant Party

Personal Background
Spouse: Olympia Sablan Reyes
Children: Rebecca, Geraldine, John, James
Hobbies: Golf, socializing with people

Educational Background
Passed General Education Degree Exam

Professional Background
Former principal (retired), Tanapag Elementary School, Tinian Elementary and Junior High School, Garapan Elementary School; Former Adult Basic Education Supervisor

Q. What do you consider the top three issues or concerns facing the CNMI that deserve immediate action from our government leaders?

A. It is definitely our economy. It needs to be revived and that is the primary goal that I have in mind. If I get elected, I would pursue every means to bring in new businesses, see if I can upgrade the businesses already on-island, and I want to remove very restrictive policies that the government has in place right now, which prevent the businesses from making profit or expanding.

I’m very concerned about the minimum wage. I would like very much to put this on the agenda when I’m in office because many of our employees, government employees, have not been given their pay raises, and that hurts me highly because I used to be chairman of the Civil Service Commission, and I was a member of the Civil Service [Commission] for eight years. I was very instrumental in Public Law 7-31, which gave the government employees 14-percent pay raise across the board. Still, to date, I don’t think that has been accomplished.

I’m also very much inclined to look into health and life insurance. The government has very dearly failed to pay on time or pay in full the health providers for government employees and retirees. The state of CNMI-CUC emergency declaration has put all the citizens in shock. Coupled with that is the implementation of the surcharge. The surcharge will probably help CUC meet some of their obligations. But how could an ordinary employee be able to pay the additional cost of CUC surcharge if the employee is still [earning] minimum wage for the past four or five years.

Q. What ideas can you bring to the table to revive the CNMI economy?

A. The economy needs to be revitalized. The Covenant Party is the only party that has a plan. Any student in public administration, especially in management, would know that having a plan is the best way to make things successful. Until you have thought of a plan, you cannot do anything…. Only the Covenant Party is standing up proud that it has a plan.

Q. What is your vision for the Commonwealth and Rota? And what are the steps that must be taken to achieve that vision?

A. I would like to see the CNMI more self-sustaining. I would like to see the CNMI governed by very well-qualified governor and legislators for that matter. Put people in office, those who are more concerned about the health and safety of the people and not just for personal gain. We would like to see our resources develop. There is still under question the mining aspect in Pagan Island and that has been put on the back shelf. I hope someone will pick it up and I am going to dig into that and see, because the revenue to be derived from there will be very much of help to the CNMI.

Q. What needs to be changed in people’s ways of thinking to achieve your vision?

A. First, we have to provide some legislation on what we are doing. Primarily, we have to win the confidence of the people to gain their support. We need everyone’s support so that we can make a move and change our lives. Without people’s support, I don’t think anyone can accomplish much.