Editorial Forum’s final question

I have received a great deal of appreciation for conducting the Editorial Forum and it has truly been my pleasure to have been of service to the people of the CNMI. As we can see, more candidates have participated in the forum and to all the candidates I want to thank you for giving the people an opportunity to hear you.

To those who still failed to participate in this forum, I can tell you as a voting citizen and student of political science that your chances of winning have been affected by your failure to present yourself to the people. The nonparticipating candidates—Juan Lizama, John Davis, Felipe Atalig and Luis Crisostomo—should have known that the Forum was designed to help people separate the genuine candidates from the rest of the field and your failure to participate just made it easier for the people to make their choices.

The questions I have presented are the type of questions that most teachers get from students on a daily basis in the classroom—simple, direct to the point and demand revealing and informative answers. The large number of candidates limited the number of questions I could ask but at least we now know what you plan, how you are going to do it and where you stand with our federal relationship. It is now time for the last and most important question, which is: “Why are you the BEST candidate?”

The same rules apply and you cannot make any direct or indirect attacks on an individual candidate. You can differentiate yourself from the other candidates with phrases like “I am the only candidate” or “none of the other candidates” but you cannot attack individual candidates nor make individual comparisons. You should also state facts and not opinions or beliefs. This is not a debate and you must stand on your own merits.

In closing I want to reiterate my appreciation to candidates Pete A. Tenorio, Chong Man Won, John O. Gonzales, David M. Cing and Gregorio C. Sablan for participating in this very important forum for the people of the CNMI that surely helped the voting public narrow down their choices. Maybe we can do it again with the candidates for Governor in the next election, now that readers and future candidates can clearly see it is for real, it is seriously affecting the votes, and it is badly needed. Adios and thanks to the Saipan Tribune on behalf of the readers who appreciated the forum and for the honor and privilege of being the “first host” for your Editorial Forum.