‘The balance of energy of youth with wisdom of experience’

Former governor Juan N. Babauta and board of education member Galvin Deleon Guerrero had announced on Saturday their intention to seek the highest positions in government claiming their tandem would bring the balance of good governance by combing the energy of youth with wisdom of experience—the strength to any effective leadership wanting to create changes for the island.

Before over a hundred supporters, the duo expressed their appreciation to their families for embracing their decisions.

Babauta, who served in various capacities including the islands’ chief executive, senator, and representative to Washington asked supporters to renew their thrust and pledged to serve only for the public’s interest.

“I’ve been a public servant all my life,” he said, adding that his leadership experiences cannot be trade to anything for these helped him gain great opportunities and learning.

In acknowledging his committed “shortcomings,” he vowed to do better this time.

Babauta served a four-year term as governor and three four-year terms as Washington representative. He was defeated by incumbent governor Benigno R. Fitial in a four-way race in 2005.

“Yes, I have shortcomings…and yes, I could have done better in a lot of things throughout my years as a public servant. But I can say, unequivocally that I never served any special interest other than the public’s interest. If given the chance, I want to redeem myself by making and doing much better…that I never done before,” he told the crowd.

He said he’s banking on his “experiences.”

Citing the present challenges in the CNMI, “I don’t want to stand by the way side to let our hopes and dreams slip back…”

Today, he said, the Commonwealth is caught between hope and fear.

“Fear that things are going to get worst before they actually begin to get better…and hope that things are going to get better rather than worst. But me and my running mate are on the side of hope because he is a man who inspires hope and the one who has brought the future tonight,” Babauta said, claiming Deleon Guerrero’s youthful energy would balance the experiences he had gained in the past.

Deleon Guerrero, the son of the late first mayor of Northern Mariana Islands and the great-grandson of the man who wrote the CNMI’s anthem, described his decision to enter politics as his “calling.”

“I always stayed away from politics though I came from two political families. But when I thought about this and all the options laid down before me, I felt it is a calling for me,” he said, citing the legacy and heritage of leadership in his family.

Deleon Guerrero admitted considering to obtain his doctorate degree, go into a film school, and thinking about job offers in San Francisco where he was offered to become principal of at least three schools.

For him, leadership is a great calling.

“Not everyone can do it, not everyone is called…and to those few who are called should respond to that and I feel that this is my calling,” he said, adding that he prayed a lot for his decision.

Deleon Guerrero is the principal of Mount Carmel School and had served as senior policy adviser during Babauta’s regime from 2001-2005.

He revealed that his decision was also a result of consultations with the people whom he trusted and respected.

Deleon Guerrero described the present situation of CNMI at the “crossroads.”

“We need to change things. But you know what? We need to learn to balance the need for change—the energy of youth needs to be balanced with the wisdom of experience. Like the man ‘amko, we cannot forget the past because they have made mistakes, but from them where we learned. The change cannot happen without the wisdom of experience and I think that’s the strength of this ticket,” he said.

Humbled by Babauta’s “offer,” the vice-gubernatorial wannabe admitted that with the “energy of youth without guidance, nothing gets done.”

Deleon Guerrero intends to continue serving the education board if permitted by the board’s policy.

“I will consult my decision to the board,” he told Saipan Tribune.

According to Ed Guerrero, chairman of the committee to elect Juan Babauta and Deleon Guerrero, they have submitted their application to the overall Republican Party to endorse the duo as its official candidates for the general election in November.

Two have already announced their candidacies for the gubernatorial post: Babauta and his former running mate and lieutenant governor, Diego Benavente.

The party also anticipates the filing of Rep. Heinz Hofshneider soon.

“Should there be a Republican primary, we’re ready,” Guerrero said.

But he hopes that the party, this time, will practice unity to achieve success in the election.

As of Saturday, Guerrero has yet to know if the Republican Party will hold a primary.

“We need to be unified and group together,” he added.