‘Where are the other candidates?’
The Saipan Chamber of Commerce’s senatorial candidate forum on Wednesday night diverted the attention of the audience into asking the question: “Where are the other candidates?”
Only four of the 10 candidates running for Saipan senator showed up, prompting many in the audience to say it would have been better if all candidates showed up to talk about what they would do for the Commonwealth.
The candidates that did show up were NMI Republican Party bets Oscar Babauta, Arnold Palacios, and Sixto Igisomar, and independent candidate Steve Woodruff.
One community member, Pedro Guerrero, said all four candidates did their best and that there were no problems with what they presented.
Guerrero said the others who did not show up may have good reasons why they couldn’t attend.
Sen. Pete Reyes (Ind-Saipan) said all four candidates did a good job of presenting their reasons for running but, in his opinion, Palacios stood out.
“Arnold did an extremely good job and responded well to specific matters,” Reyes said.
He also said it was a shame that the others did not come.
“I feel it would have been better if they showed up. All the questions were straightforward and problems were raised. Babauta did a good job, Igisomar has never been a member of the Legislature but he has a firm and tremendous grasp of the issues raised and once he gets in he will know what to do and he needs to accept that responsibility,” he said.
Chamber member Ron Smith echoed Reyes and Guerrero’s words that all candidates did very well.
“I feel that, with the other candidates that weren’t here to provide and express their views, we don’t know what they are going to do and it is really unfortunate because we would have loved to hear it,” Smith said.
In his final speech, Woodruff also expressed disappointment with the candidates who did not show up.
“It is really unfortunate that I am the only independent here and all of the [other candidates present] are Republicans, but I would have loved to hear what my other colleagues would have to say but everyone here did a good job,” Woodruff said.
Woodruff, Palacios, and Babauta are running for regular Senate seats; Igisomar is running in the special election to fill the vacancy created by Ray Yumul, who resigned to run as lieutenant governor.
The senatorial bets that did not show up were Justo Quitugua (Independent); Janet Maratita (Independent); Jesus Taisague (Democrat); Illuminanda Bermudes (Independent); Roy Rios (Independent); and Jesus M. Castro (Independent).
The other senatorial candidates were afraid to face the people and they are not prepared only Papalatong the people.
By the way, remember this: Ray Yumul disrespected the CNMI constitution and thumb his nose on the local people. He resigned due to greed for power and fame. Filipino voters remember JOLLY BEE and H. B. 14-142. Ray Yumul sponsored and pushed for the passage 0f H. B. 14-142 that prohibit, disallow and did not permit the transfer of abused contract workers to other employers.
“Papalatong” is not a real word. it is a Larry Hillblom creation. He told members of the CNMI Legislature that it is Filipino word meaning to con or fool around. I.e. pretty much like the Chamorro “mamababa.” And they believed him. Now this Hillbloom creation is in common use not only by Chamorros but also by Chinese and even Filipinos!
It is suppose to be Babalatong! It is a real filipino word started in Guam.
Not much different from the present and past, these people always have excuses as to why they can’t show up along as to why they can’t accomplish anything positive. (except when it is slight of hand behind closed door deals such as the Saipan Casino deal)
In a more perfect world the candidates would be told, “Show up and face the people or be disqualified from the election.”
I will not vote for any of the no-shows. Disgraceful.
We the following Senatorial bids did not participate during the recently held forum sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce for the following individual reason:
1. Janet Maratita: “Due to my frequent travel, I was off-island at the time”;
2. Justo Quitugua: “I honestly thought it was for the following week”;
3. Jesus Taisague: “Andrew Salas wasn’t able to follow me that evening”
4. Lumi Bermudes: “Someone said I had to wear a blouse..no way Jose”
5. Roy Rios: “I thought the forum is for Republicans only”
6. Jess Castro: “I need more than 15 minutes to answer any question.. we are only given 3 mintutes”