Gubernatorial runoff forum now in the works

If at first you don’t succeed: Try, try, try again.

The Saipan Chamber of Commerce is taking this truism to heart by attempting to once again to host a gubernatorial forum.

Chamber executive director Jill M. Arenovski confirmed with Saipan Tribune that the organization is looking at the possibility of holding a forum for gubernatorial runoff bets Gov. Eloy S. Inos of the NMI Republican Party and former speaker Heinz Hofschneider, an independent.

“I’ve contacted them. It’s either going to be Tuesday or Wednesday next week. We can’t use the [Pedro P. Tenorio] Multi-Purpose [Center] though. We have to secure another venue and that will be an issue,” she said.

While the Chamber did push through with its Gubernatorial Forum last Oct. 30, only former governor Juan N. Babauta (independent) attended, with Hofschneider and former Commonwealth Ports Authority executive director Edward “Tofila” M. Deleon Guerrero (NMI Democratic Party) begging off due to Inos’ absence.

At that time, the incumbent was still in Manila, Philippines, following a quadruple bypass checkup at the Asian Hospital.

With both Inos and Hofschneider now available, this will make the planned runoff gubernatorial forum a must-see event, Arenovski said.

“People are calling and asking if we’re going to do it. The general public is asking and they’re really interested. This is an important decision. Personally, I would think people already made up their minds. However, it would really be nice for the platforms and the issues to be talked about.”

Like the Senatorial Forum held on Oct. 15, the gubernatorial runoff forum will have the moderator pick five random questions from a set of questions submitted days before the event.

Each gubernatorial candidate will be given 3 minutes to expound on the issue and another minute for rebuttal if needed.

For those who will miss out the gubernatorial forum redux, the Chamber said that Flametree TV will be videotaping the proceeding and will air it later.

Proceeds from the forums will benefit the Chamber’s Scholarship Fund and other Chamber programs that benefit the local business community and the public.

Inos and his running mate, Senate President Ralph DLG. Torres (R-Saipan), topped the election for governor last Nov. 4 with 6,342 votes, while Hofschneider and his running mate, former Senate floor leader Ray Yumul, finished second with 4,501 votes.

Since Inos/Torres didn’t attain more than 50 percent of the vote, a runoff will take place 14 days after the Nov. 7 certification of votes. The runoff is set for Nov. 21.