In a matter of hours, the eight senatorial candidates vying for two seats to represent the municipality of Saipan, will face off for the first time this campaign season. This evening, the Chamber of Commerce will showcase one of two Great Debates. The other being tomorrow for the gubernatorial candidates.
This evening, Senate President Pete P. Reyes and Rep. Ralph Torres of the Republican Party will join the Covenant Party hopefuls of former representatives Ana Teregeyo and Jacinta Kaipat; Rep. Justo Quitugua of the Democratic Party and the independent candidates, Gregorio Cruz, Paul Camacho and Rep. Tina Sablan.
CLW is anticipating a good turnout this evening. We will post details of the debate as soon as they become available. Tonight's event may very well alter current street polls indicating Rep. Tina Sablan and Deputy Secretary of Labor Jacinta Kaipat as the frontrunners for the two seats up for grabs. Rep. Ralph Torres, Sen. Pete Reyes and Rep. Justo Quitugua are currently neck and neck following the top two on the leader board.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Calling out Heinz
Information technology has impacted the political arena as evidenced in the emergence of active campaign websites, myspace and facebook social networks. All but independent gubernatorial candidate Ramon S. Guerrero have launched such sites in the past few months.
The launching of their informational sites provides much advantage in providing the electorate with an in-depth analysis of each tandems platforms and biographical background -- except for one team.
That leads us to issue a public challenge to the tandem of Heinz S. Hofschneider and Arnold I. Palacios. While the public is appreciative of having the opportunity to view the Heinz/Arnold platform, the public is also interested in the candidates' professional and educational background. Thus, the public will have a clearer understanding as to whether the candidates themselves are qualified enough to carry out the golden promises of a better tomorrow.
Of the three tandems' websites, the bio-data of the Juan Pan/Joe Camacho and the Benigno Fitial/Eloy Inos teams are readily available. However, a search on the Heinz/Arnold website fails to produce a bio-data outlining the professional and educational background of the duo. Since the Heinz/Arnold tandem portrays themselves as advocates of an open government, the public challenges the duo to release their professional and educational background immediately.
Let it all out, no hidden agendas!
Friday, July 10, 2009
And then they are 4
With the GOP Primary Election done, the FAB 5 gubernatorial tandems have now decreased to the Fantastic 4. Let's take a look that the remaining tandems set to battle it out in November:
1. Gov. Benigno Fitial & Lt. Gov. Eloy Inos (Covenant)
This is the team to beat in the name of continuity. The Covenant duo is banking that their unpopular policies to curtail deficit spending will be taken into consideration as their undeterred efforts to resurrect our economy while establishing a more fiscally responsible government. Their strength is clearly experience and expertise. Gov. Fitial is a seasoned business-minded leader with experience in both the legislative and executive branches of government. Lt. Gov. Inos is touted as a financial expert and has been at the forefront of this administration's quest to reduced government spending in his prior role as the Secretary of Finance.
2. Rep. Heinz Hofschneider/Rep. Arnold Palacios (Republican)
Stamina is upbeat in this tandem freshly coming off a 396-vote victory over the other GOP tandem of former governor Juan N. Babauta & board of education member Galvin S. Deleon Guerrero. The task for this team now is to ensure that the unity accord between the two camps can carry on to the general election. This is a good time to heal the wounds between the supporters and to ensure that there really is a unified party.
3. Juan "Pan" Guerrero & Rep. Joseph Camacho (Independent)
The earliest of the gubernatorial teams to launch their campaigns, the Juan Pan camp has been hard at work trying to garner the support of the vast majority. They are the only crossover team so far as Juan Pan is a former Democratic Party senator and Joe Camacho is currently serving his term as House Floor Leader under the Republican Party. It remains to be seen whether this 2-party union is a recipe for victory or defeat. Juan Pan is the current chairman of the Retirement Fund Board of Trustees and is at the forefront of the Fund's recent lawsuit against the government.
4. Ramon "Kumoi" Guerrero & David Borja (Independent)
The tandem of this former senator and former education commissioner are probably the most silent of the four, but they were the first to troop to the Commonwealth Election Commission yesterday to file their candidacy for the Commonwealth's top posts. Not much is known yet from this tandem, but it is somewhat evident that they will have an emphasis on education given that Mr. Borja is a former educator and education commissioner. It'll be interesting to see what develops in the coming months from this team.
1. Gov. Benigno Fitial & Lt. Gov. Eloy Inos (Covenant)
This is the team to beat in the name of continuity. The Covenant duo is banking that their unpopular policies to curtail deficit spending will be taken into consideration as their undeterred efforts to resurrect our economy while establishing a more fiscally responsible government. Their strength is clearly experience and expertise. Gov. Fitial is a seasoned business-minded leader with experience in both the legislative and executive branches of government. Lt. Gov. Inos is touted as a financial expert and has been at the forefront of this administration's quest to reduced government spending in his prior role as the Secretary of Finance.
2. Rep. Heinz Hofschneider/Rep. Arnold Palacios (Republican)
Stamina is upbeat in this tandem freshly coming off a 396-vote victory over the other GOP tandem of former governor Juan N. Babauta & board of education member Galvin S. Deleon Guerrero. The task for this team now is to ensure that the unity accord between the two camps can carry on to the general election. This is a good time to heal the wounds between the supporters and to ensure that there really is a unified party.
3. Juan "Pan" Guerrero & Rep. Joseph Camacho (Independent)
The earliest of the gubernatorial teams to launch their campaigns, the Juan Pan camp has been hard at work trying to garner the support of the vast majority. They are the only crossover team so far as Juan Pan is a former Democratic Party senator and Joe Camacho is currently serving his term as House Floor Leader under the Republican Party. It remains to be seen whether this 2-party union is a recipe for victory or defeat. Juan Pan is the current chairman of the Retirement Fund Board of Trustees and is at the forefront of the Fund's recent lawsuit against the government.
4. Ramon "Kumoi" Guerrero & David Borja (Independent)
The tandem of this former senator and former education commissioner are probably the most silent of the four, but they were the first to troop to the Commonwealth Election Commission yesterday to file their candidacy for the Commonwealth's top posts. Not much is known yet from this tandem, but it is somewhat evident that they will have an emphasis on education given that Mr. Borja is a former educator and education commissioner. It'll be interesting to see what develops in the coming months from this team.
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Let's get ready to rumble!
The election season here in the Northern Mariana Islands is heating up again. If you know us at Livewire, then you'll know we'll be there every step of the way.
CNMI Livewire is back online and in full force with a well-equipped team that will cover the 2009 campaign season and general election coverage. So if you haven't already, bookmark our page and keep staying informed before decision day arrives.
THE FAB 5!
At this point, five tandems have declared their intention to lead this great Commonwealth into the next for years.
1. The Covenant Party Incumbents
Governor Benigno R. Fitial/Lt. Governor Eloy S. Inos
2. The Republican Party Primary-cans will face off on June 27th
Former Gov. Juan N. Babauta/BOE Member Galvin S. Deleon Guerrero
Rep. Heinz S. Hofschneider/Speaker Arnold I. Palacios
3. The Inde-PAN-dent Democrat & Republican
Retirement Fund Board Chair Juan T. Guerrero/House Floor Leader Joseph N. Camacho
4. The other Independent
Former Sen. Ramon Guerrero/David Borja
Let the games begin!
CNMI Livewire is back online and in full force with a well-equipped team that will cover the 2009 campaign season and general election coverage. So if you haven't already, bookmark our page and keep staying informed before decision day arrives.
THE FAB 5!
At this point, five tandems have declared their intention to lead this great Commonwealth into the next for years.
1. The Covenant Party Incumbents
Governor Benigno R. Fitial/Lt. Governor Eloy S. Inos
2. The Republican Party Primary-cans will face off on June 27th
Former Gov. Juan N. Babauta/BOE Member Galvin S. Deleon Guerrero
Rep. Heinz S. Hofschneider/Speaker Arnold I. Palacios
3. The Inde-PAN-dent Democrat & Republican
Retirement Fund Board Chair Juan T. Guerrero/House Floor Leader Joseph N. Camacho
4. The other Independent
Former Sen. Ramon Guerrero/David Borja
Let the games begin!
Wednesday, August 1, 2007
You don't say?!
This from the most recent released police blotter:
JULY 31, 2007-Florencio Tenorio Deleon Guerrero, 56, male, reckless driving/DUI/refused to consent to a breathalyzer test, Beach Road, Illiyan
The only male that matched this full name and age is the current Floor Leader of the House of Representatives. Let's see what Rep. Stanley Torres will say about this.
JULY 31, 2007-Florencio Tenorio Deleon Guerrero, 56, male, reckless driving/DUI/refused to consent to a breathalyzer test, Beach Road, Illiyan
The only male that matched this full name and age is the current Floor Leader of the House of Representatives. Let's see what Rep. Stanley Torres will say about this.
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Editorial: Independent Identity (Part 2)
(continuation)
2. DEMOCRATIC PARTY
Party dissention is also plaguing the much weakened Democratic Party. In recent years, the Democrats --- once dominant in the infantile stages of politcal history --- have not been able to field a complete nor near-complete slate of candidates for election.
A look back at history reveals different periods of a "party split" in the democrats. The earliest notable one was the division of the camps of former governor Carlos Camacho and that of former governor Froilan Tenorio. Then there was the major split of then governor Froilan C. Tenorio and his lt. governor Jesus C. Borja. After Tenorio announced that he will not seek re-election, Borja announced his gubernatorial bid and became the Democratic Party's standard bearer. Shortly thereafter, Tenorio changed his mind and announced he wanted to seek re-election. With Borja along with Benigno Sablan already secured as the Democratic ticket, Tenorio divided the party again when he founded the Reform Party. The division caused the defeat of the Democratic Party administration and returned the executive branch to the Republican Party.
Now, they're at it again. Incumbent senator Luis P. Crisostimo (D-Saipan) was ousted by party officials when he sought the party's nomination for re-election. Instead, the democrats will field former party chairman, Gabriel C. Babauta as its senatorial candidate for the municipality of Saipan. Thus, Sen. Crisostimo has launched his candidacy for re-election as an independent candidate -- further increasing the number of independent candidates.
In related news, former representative Dino M. Jones has retracted his bid for a House seat. Earlier, Jones announced that he would be seeking a House seat under the Democratic Party for precinct 4. However, Jones now says he's opting out of the race to concentrate on his family and their business affairs.
2. DEMOCRATIC PARTY
Party dissention is also plaguing the much weakened Democratic Party. In recent years, the Democrats --- once dominant in the infantile stages of politcal history --- have not been able to field a complete nor near-complete slate of candidates for election.
A look back at history reveals different periods of a "party split" in the democrats. The earliest notable one was the division of the camps of former governor Carlos Camacho and that of former governor Froilan Tenorio. Then there was the major split of then governor Froilan C. Tenorio and his lt. governor Jesus C. Borja. After Tenorio announced that he will not seek re-election, Borja announced his gubernatorial bid and became the Democratic Party's standard bearer. Shortly thereafter, Tenorio changed his mind and announced he wanted to seek re-election. With Borja along with Benigno Sablan already secured as the Democratic ticket, Tenorio divided the party again when he founded the Reform Party. The division caused the defeat of the Democratic Party administration and returned the executive branch to the Republican Party.
Now, they're at it again. Incumbent senator Luis P. Crisostimo (D-Saipan) was ousted by party officials when he sought the party's nomination for re-election. Instead, the democrats will field former party chairman, Gabriel C. Babauta as its senatorial candidate for the municipality of Saipan. Thus, Sen. Crisostimo has launched his candidacy for re-election as an independent candidate -- further increasing the number of independent candidates.
In related news, former representative Dino M. Jones has retracted his bid for a House seat. Earlier, Jones announced that he would be seeking a House seat under the Democratic Party for precinct 4. However, Jones now says he's opting out of the race to concentrate on his family and their business affairs.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
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...
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...
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