Economy, power crisis top priorities of delegate bets

The candidates for congressional delegate faced off Wednesday evening on issues including the economy, immigration, environment, education, and power service.

Eight of the nine candidates showed up for the forum organized by local youth organizations. Sen. Luis Crisostimo, who skipped a similar forum initiated by the Kagman Komunidat Association last month, did not participate.

The two-hour forum followed a question-and-answer format, whereby each candidate got a turn at answering every question asked. The questions were not provided to the candidates before the forum.

Asked what they consider to be most important issue facing the Commonwealth, the candidates put the struggling economy and the power crisis on top of the list.

Former Election Commission executive director Gregorio Sablan said the economy should be the priority of the CNMI’s first-ever congressional delegate. If elected, Sablan said, he will strive to influence federal policies on economic issues such as the CNMI’s access to Chinese and Russian tourists and the ability of local businesses to be part of the multibillion-dollar military buildup in Guam.

Washington Rep. Pete A. Tenorio said the CNMI’s problem is a mixture of expensive power rates, high cost of living, unemployment, and unstable business environment.

Former Sen. David Cing said the economy is the CNMI’s largest challenge. He blamed foreign workers and foreign businesses, which he accused of underreporting their taxable income and taking money away from the Commonwealth.

The lack of basic services such as drinkable water and affordable and reliable power must be addressed before anything else, according to businessman Chong Won.

For Saipan municipal council member Felipe Atalig, the CNMI government should focus on getting its Section 702 funding restored to $27 million a year. Section 702 of the Covenant provided for an initial seven-year period of $27 million financial assistance to the CNMI Government. Since a new agreement was executed in 1992, the CNMI has received $11 million a year for capital improvement projects.

Retired judge Juan Lizama said the CNMI’s political relationship with the United States is “something that should not be treated lightly,” and must be given top priority.

The candidates were also asked their views on the lawsuit filed by the governor against the U.S. government over the new immigration law. Most candidates expressed belief that the CNMI government, instead of pursuing legal action, should work the with U.S. government in drafting the regulations that will implement the new federalized immigration system. As television talk show host John Oliver Gonzales said, the key is “consultation, communication, and collaboration.”

Only Atalig spoke in support of the lawsuit. “My fellow Americans,” he addressed the crowd at the Multi-Purpose Center, “federalization is a violation of our rights. I support Governor Fitial, my younger brother, that we must sue the U.S. government.”

Additional scholarship opportunities for the CNMI’s youth was also a topic of discussion at the forum, which was organized by the Office of Youth Affairs, The Associated Students of the Northern Marianas College, and the CNMI Youth Congress.

The candidates, with the exception of high school teacher John Davis, promised to create more opportunities for the youth. The CNMI students, according to Davis, “do not need more opportunities. There are more opportunities available here than anywhere in the states. All our kids have to do is go out and get them. We don’t have to do everything for them.”

Sablan and Gonzales appeared to have made the biggest impression on youth voters present at the forum. Students interviewed after the forum noted Sablan’s preparedness and Gonzales’ ability to articulate his plans.

Christine Lely, 24, a student at Northern Marianas College, said she was impressed with Sablan’s good ideas. She added that Gonzales seemed to be in touch with the people’s problems.

Steven Morales, 19, also an NMC student, said he came to the forum undecided about whom to vote for. But after listening to the candidates, he narrowed down his choice to Sablan and Gonzales. “Their responses are right to the point. The other candidates sound like they’re not really answering the question,” he said.