Editorial: Independent identity (part 1)

If the wind continues to breeze in the same direction, expect to see a good number of candidates bolt from their respective political parties to run as independents.

Many factors will lead party stalwarts astray this year. Let's take a look at some issues facing the political parties:

1. REPUBLICAN PARTY
Once considered the political dynasty of the Northern Marianas, the Republicans a.k.a. GOP, has disintegrated by virtue of severe disunity within the group. The GOP took a major blow when its party leaders chose to allude precedence and forego a primary election to determine its standard bearers for the 2005 general election. The GOP officials endorsed then incumbent Governor Juan N. Babauta and Lt. Governor Diego T. Benavente for re-election. This selection process angered the camp of gubernatorial aspirants Heinz S. Hofschneider and David M. Apatang. After meeting with their supporters, the Heinz and Dave tandem declared their gubernatorial bid as independent candidates -- creating the biggest split in the Republican Party's history and dealing the GOP their worst election performance ever. The independent tandem of Heinz and Dave placed a very tight second to the victorious team of the Covenant Party. Meanwhile, the GOP's re-electionist team placed third.

In a bid to unify the party before this year's midterm election, both camps banded together in a show of force to reorganize the GOP and hope for a landslide victory in November. It didn't take long for this effort to fall apart. It seemed like the republicans couldn't get rid of their old ways. Dissention started again during the selection of candidates for the House of Representatives. Hofschneider was selected for one of six seats in precinct 3. However, his former runningmate, David M. Apatang, was dropped from the list for precinct 1. Precinct club officials cited his failure to submit a bio-data. It must be mentioned that Apatang has topped every congressional race in precinct 1 each time he sought a seat. Hence, many political analysts were baffled at the decision of the precinct club to drop him. Apatang has not made any official announcement yet, but reliable sources have indicated that Apatang will seek a house seat as an independent candidate. Since this decision was handed down, GOP secretary and spokesman, Kimo Rosario resigned and a field of supporters have also chosen to distance themselves from the party.

Next, we'll take a look at the Democratic and Covenant Parties.

To be continued...

Magic number is 8

House Speaker Oscar M. Babauta (C-Precinct 2) has decided to run for re-election -- a bid to become a 8-term lawmaker. Babauta will remain with the ruling Covenant Party, but will be without his trusted colleague and adviser, Rep. Jesus SN. Lizama (C-Precinct 2). The incumbent Lizama has called it quits and will retire from the government.

Speaker Babauta also announced that the Covenant Party will fill the void with Raymond D. Palacios, an elementary school teacher. Palacios originally sought the nomination of the Republican Party but never received a response.

Clyde's in

As we reported earlier, unconfirmed information was placing former rep. Clyde K. Norita on the ballot for the lone Saipan senatorial seat. It's unconfirmed no more.

Norita made his candidacy official at a press briefing yesterday at Cafe at the Park. Norita's announcement also confirmed reports that he will run as an independent candidate. In the last general election, Norita was the Covenant Party's unsuccessful senate bet placing a very close third in a two-seat race.

Clyde Norita says he's running to bring about solutions to the Commonwealth's problems. Of his decision to run in opposition to the Covenant Party, Norita says, "It's not an issue of partisan politics. It is an issue of I think I can do a lot service to the people of the Commonwealth.”

Norita shrugged off questions of political differences with the governor and the party saying, “I didn't leave the governor's party...they have a party candidate, right?”

Spectators believe Norita's chances this year are good. However, he will have to defeat the likes of incumbent Luis P. Crisostimo, who will seek re-election also as an independent, Gabriel Babauta of the Democratic Party and the Covenant Party's candidate Ramon Dela Cruz. The GOP has not selected a candidate to date since both aspirants have backed out of contention.

Who wants to be a senator?

The supposedly united but seemingly disintegrating Republican Party is searching anew for a senatorial candidate for the municipality of Saipan. This developed after both GOP aspirants have backed out. First, former rep. Benjamin A. Sablan backed out in the interest of unity when Rep. Stanley T. Torres (I-Precinct 3), the other aspirant sought a primary to decide who will be the GOP's senatorial candidate. Paving the way for a senate run for Torres, Sablan gracefully bowed out of contention. But as we reported earlier, Torres then flip-flopped and also bowed of the senate race and will instead seek re-election for his precinct 3 house seat as a republican candidate.

The lone senate seat up for grabs is currently held by Sen. Luis P. Crisostimo (D-Saipan). The incumbent senator will seek re-election as an independent candidate after the Democrats ousted him from the party on the grounds of disloyalty. Instead, the Democrats will field its former party chairman, Gabriel Babauta. The Covenant Party has yet to finalize its slate, but Department of Public Lands employee Ramon Dela Cruz is reportedly seeking the party's nomination.

Unconfirmed reports have also reached our newsroom that former representative and former Commonwealth Ports Authority executive director Claudio K. Norita will be running for senate as an independent candidate too. Norita was the Covenant Party unsuccessful senatorial candidate in the last general election placing second behind incumbent senators Pete P. Reyes and Maria "Frica" T. Pangelinan. Norita also led the transition of power for then newly-elected governor Benigno R. Fitial and lt. governor Timothy P. Villagomez. Last year, the administration pushed for the hiring of Norita to lead the ports authority as its new executive director. Citing policy differences, the CPA board and Norita parted ways when Norita resigned from the agency a few months ago.

Who will it be? Get ready Saipan, the decision is in your hands!

Stanley flip-flops

The GOP's state of disarray is still, well, in disarray. Days after GOP senatorial aspirant Benjamin A. Sablan withdrew his intent to run to avoid further splitting the party, the other contender has done the same. Rep. Stanley Torres has reportedly also changed his mind about running for the the lone Saipan seat in the upper house.

Torres sent a letter of withdrawal to GOP president Thomas B. Pangelinan. Instead of seeking the lone senate seat, the independent congressman has now opted to rejoin the GOP as a re-electionist for precinct 3. This latest twist adds to Torres' long history of flip-flopping on his decisions. Torres has bolted the Republican Party twice already when he refused to endorse the parties gubernatorial tandem. In his first departure from the party, Torres refused to support the GOP ticket of Guerrero/Inos and bolted the GOP along with then Rep. Heinz Hofschneider. The pair ran for house seats as independent candidates and won. Soon, the pair rejoined the party and sought re-election and won. Later, the pair left the party again. This time, Stanley return to being independent after the GOP chose to forego a primary election when both he and then Rep. Andrew Salas were seeking the GOP's senatorial nomination. The party chose Salas as its candidate. Now, Stanley is rejoining the party that he has left more than once, and so is Heinz. This begs the question of trust and loyalty? How does one trust a flip-flopper?

You be the judge.

Crossfire is here

CNMI LIVEWIRE is pleased to announce that it is now home to the Crossfire Forum. Crossfire rose to fame when it was being administered by the now defunct Politics Now website. Upon learning that Politics Now was leaving the the newsworld, CNMI Livewire grabbed the first opportunity it got to acquire the management rights of the Crossfire Forum in an effort to continue the healthy discussions and deliberations that have been initiated by the forum's patrons.

got milk?

Cost of living is rising due to increasing fuel prices and other economic factors. In a recent media interview, Saipan Chamber of Commerce president, Juan T. Guerrero was quoted saying a gallon of milk "costs $2.80 in the mainland, (now) costs $9.18 on Saipan."

Outrageous.

$250M up north

A South Korean developer's plan to develop its recently purchased Gun Beach land into a towering resort hotel and condominium has added optimism in the already booming Guam real estate market. (read more)

Crossover too

Shortly after running our Crossover article, another House candidate has bolted the Republican Party. Frank I. Aquino ran unsuccessfully for a house seat in the last general election -- the GOP's worst performance in history. Aquino was also a staunch supporter of the GOP's Babauta/Benavente ticket.

Seeking to serve the public, Aquino has decided to make another run for the legislative seat as an independent candidate. Comparing the Republican Party to Universal Studios, Aquino says, "it looks good, but only on the surface."

This latest turn of events following the GOP's decision to drop former representative David M. Apatang from the precinct 1 slate and the party's decision not to hold a primary election between two senatorial aspirants could very well spell another GOP split and perhaps even the demise of the once ruling political party.

Crossover

Politics in the Marianas is usually unusual. Reports have quoted GOP precinct 3 club chairman Skep Palacios that a current independent lawmaker will fill one of its six slots for the lower house. Palacios refused to divulge the identity, but sources close to them have indicated the high likelihood that the lawmaker is Rep. Ray N. Yumul. The only other independent lawmaker is Rep. Stanley T. Torres, but he will be the GOP's candidate for the lone Saipan senatorial seat. Yumul, a second-term lawmaker first won a seat in the lower house under the ruling Covenant Party. Shortly after beginning his rookie term, Yumul was deployed to active duty service in Iraq. Because of his active duty status, Yumul had to run for re-election as an independent candidate although clearly aligned with the Covenant Party. A falling out reportedly ensued during the caucus to elect the officers of the 15th legislature. Yumul reportedly was seeking the vice-speakership, but the Covenant Party lawmakers endorsed Democrat Justo S. Quitugua in order to grasp a solid majority over the Republicans.

Then there's the outspoken Rep. Absalon Waki Jr. The Covenant Party representative from precinct 3 is also reportedly considering bolting the party to seek re-election as an independent candidate. Waki reportedly feels like he has lost a sense of belonging to the ruling party as on more than one occassion, they have failed to see eye-to-eye on several issues.

What is surely losing its sense of belonging is "partyhood". Party principles used to be at the forefront of one's association with a political party. As time has gone by, party affiliation has now become more of a popularity contest --- a party of glitz, glamour and confetti. What happened to principles? What happened to common goals? Our future should not depend of the flashiest billboards or the loudest campaign jingle. It should depend on sensible solutions and established principles. It should depend on effective and true leadership. Wake up Marianas!

Split Pea

The GOP -- the NMI Republican Party -- is facing the inevitable, a repeat split in the upcoming midterm election. The GOP earlier had initiated a move to reunite the party after its membership split when party officials ruled against holding a primary election between the tandems of then governor Juan N. Babauta and lt. governor Diego T. Benavente versus former house speaker Heinz S. Hofschneider and former representative David M. Apatang. Following this decision, Hofschneider and Apatang placed second --- 99 votes behind the victorious covenant party team of now governor Benigno R. Fitial and lt. governor Timothy P. Villagomez. The GOP ticket of Babauta/Benavente placed third in the four-way race, marking the worst defeat in the Republican Party's history.

Hoping to learn from its mistakes, the party made a concerted effort to unify both factions in hopes of presenting a strong united front for the midterm election and in preparation for the next general election in 2009. It seemed like a viable plan until the Precinct 1 club finalized its list of candidates.

Former representative David M. Apatang sought the nomination of the party to be one of its six candidates for the house of representatives in precinct 1. However, after failing to submit a required bio-data, the Precinct 1 club led by former house floor leader Ana S. Teregeyo voted to drop Apatang from the slate. Subsequently, Apatang respected the decision of the club and has made known his plans to contend for a house seat as an independent candidate --- a move many political analysts believe will further enhance the party split. Followers of Hofschneider have also indicated their intent to leave the party yet again in view of the recent turn of events.

As if this wasn't enough, the party was faced with another decision to select a lone senatorial candidate for the island of Saipan. Representative Stanley T. Torres and former representative Benjamin A. Sablan both filed letters of intent to vie for the lone senate seat. In an unexpected move, party officials again voted against holding a primary election between the two and instead seek to mediate between the two to see who was willing to step down and fill the remaining house slot for precinct 3. However, both Torres and Sablan remained adamant at vying for the senate seat. Thus, the GOP was face with yet another dilemma.

There may be a silver lining in the horizon though as Sablan had opted to withdraw his intent to become the GOP's senatorial candidacy to give way to Torres and in the interest of further dividing the party. Graceful move? Yes, but political observers still believe that followers of Sablan will hesitate to endorse or support Torres. Yet another split? Only the results of the midterm election can give us an answer.