By Gemma Q. Casas
Variety News Staff

AFTER staying away from local politics for nearly 20 years, a former House lawmaker from Rota will attempt to return to the Legislature.
Former Commonwealth Ports Authority Chairman Victor B. Hocog said he decided to run as an Independent candidate for the House in this year’s election because of the islands’ bad economy.
“I feel that this is an opportunity for me to help revitalize the economy,” said Hocog who credits himself with convincing the original Japanese investors to put up the Rota Resort Club on their island.
He said their island is in a worse state than is Saipan and expressed fear that it will continue to remain in such a state unless people like him help change the situation.
“After (Rota Resort’s establishment), it seems that Rota slept for a while. We need to be vigilant and (go after) investment opportunities,” said Hocog who served in the House from 1983 to 1988.
“Rota is a sleeping treasure. We need to wake it up,” he said.
He used to be the chairman of the House Committee on Health, Education and Welfare.
In 1989, he was the running-mate of the Democratic candidate for governor, then-Washington Rep. Froilan C. Tenorio. They lost to the Republican team of former Senate Presidents Lorenzo I. Deleon Guerrero and Benjamin T. Manglona, who is also from Rota.
Although originally a Democrat, Hocog said he decided to run without a political party to pursue a “unified mission.”
“As an Independent candidate I can maintain flexibility. We must avoid political bickering and instead find a way to cooperate and find opportunities,” said Hocog.
Sen. Paul A. Manglona, R-Rota, who is seeking another term, said the people of Rota should be given more help.
Manglona is also running as an Independent candidate.
He said whatever economic hardships are being felt on Saipan are multiplied on Rota, which continues to struggle to create its own economic base.
Manglona said he feels more comfortable running as an Independent candidate this year.
“But I’m still a Republican at heart. I’m a die-hard Republican,” he said.
The CNMI’s Senate president from 1998 to 2004 and its longest-serving lawmaker, Manglona first ran as an Independent candidate four years ago.
He was first elected to the Senate in 1987.