By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff

FORMER senator and chairman of the Tinian Democratic Party David M. Cing wants the appointment of an overall president who will ensure the party’s strong presence on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.
Cing, who supported the Republican gubernatorial tickets in the 1997 and 2005 elections, said he remains a Democrat.
He said he supported the Republican candidates in those elections, because his party’s nominee — former Gov. Froilan C. Tenorio — favored a casino on Saipan, which Cing opposes.
“I will ask our chairman (Gabriel Babauta) to initiate a general meeting where we will ask for the formal appointment of an overall party president because I think that’s one factor that can help revive the Democratic Party on all three islands,” Cing said.
Asked about reports that former Tinian Democrats now with the Covenant Party are planning to return to his party, Cing said, “Whoever wants to come back to the party is very much welcome. This is a strong indication that we are going to have stronger Democratic Party this election.”
However, he added, “as of today, I haven’t heard any formal statement of intention (from the former Tinian Democrats.”
The head of the Tinian Covenant Party, former Mayor Francisco Borja, was unavailable for comment yesterday.
According to Cing, who was senator from 1992 to 2004, “there are a lot of issues that we need to address and that means…(former members) cannot just join for the sake of victory. We have to set ground rules which are very important in guiding the party on a long-term basis. It’s useless to win today and then tomorrow commit the same old mistakes… ground rules are important for a revitalized Democratic Party.”
Last week, the Democratic Party announced that it was seeking legislative candidates for the November midterm elections.
In a separate interview yesterday, party chairman Gabriel Babauta said eight potential candidates have submitted applications to the credentials committee.
Asked about the return of former Tinian Democrats to the party, he said: “I heard through the grapevine several months ago that the Tinian Covenant Party would be dissolved. However, to date, I have not received any information or been contacted about what transpired, but a dialogue will commence soon, and if this happens it will bring family unity to the party.”