The House minority bloc yesterday said the system of checks and balances should be maintained in the next administration, amid a possible Covenant Party rule in the Legislature.<\/p>\n
The incumbent minority members met Thursday to come up with a plan to get the House leadership. The Republican representatives want Minority Leader Arnold Palacios to be the next speaker.<\/p>\n
“It’s always nice politically to have one party controlling the executive and legislative branches. It could help get things done smoothly. But it’s also important to have a check and balance, no matter who the governor is,” said Rep. Ramon Tebuteb, spokesperson for the minority bloc.<\/p>\n
The House has been under the control of the Covenant Party during the last two years of Republican Gov. Juan N. Babauta’s administration.<\/p>\n
Seven of the 18 representatives who won in the Nov. 5, 2005 general election are Republicans: incumbents Martin Ada, Joseph Deleon Guerrero, Benjamin Seman, Arnold Palacios, and Tebuteb, as well as Manuel Tenorio and Candido Taman.<\/p>\n
The Covenant Party will also have seven representatives in the next House: Cinta Kaipat, Oscar Babauta, Jesus Lizama, Francisco Dela Cruz, Absalon Waki Jr., Edwin Aldan, and Crispin Ogo.<\/p>\n
Of the four Democrats and independents, only Rep.-elect Stanley Torres is expected to join the Republicans. Torres has always aligned himself with the GOP during his previous terms.<\/p>\n
Independent Ray Yumul, whose family has been active in the Covenant Party campaign, will likely join his former party.<\/p>\n
Incumbent Rep. Justo Quitugua has an alliance with the Covenant Party. It is not known whether his fellow Democrat, Rep.-elect Florencio Deleon Guerrero, will follow suit.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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