By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff

THE Republican Party will conduct a primary to select its candidates for this year’s midterm elections, according to the GOP spokesman and secretary Kimo M. Rosario.
“Although we are trying to avoid (a primary) because it is costly, I don’t think we have another option if we want to come up with the best qualified candidate in every precinct,” Rosario said yesterday.
On Tuesday, central committee officers are scheduled to meet with precinct chairmen and club presidents to discuss the matter, he added.
“A primary is needed because of the number of candidates —sometimes it is really hard to select,” he said.
Rosario said incumbent Republican lawmakers are also expected to attend the meeting which will be held at Tom Saures’s residence in Chalan Laulau at 5:30 p.m.
“We will come up with a reform proposal for the precinct club composition where every precinct must have a delegate who is going to be assigned by the central committee,” Rosario said, adding that these individuals will be responsible for coordinating the political activities in their areas and villages.
“Basically, the party’s leadership wants fair and equal representation throughout all the precincts. For example, if Precinct 1 has seven villages, then it has to appoint delegates from each of the seven villages. Also, the central committee is cognizant that each village has its own needs and issues; thus, it is fitting that every village be fully represented in the precinct clubs,” he said.
The party’s new president, former Rep. Tom Pangelinan, earlier said they are working on a “two-year achievable agenda” for their candidates in the November midterm elections.