IN an article titled: “GOP to hold Primary,” published in the Marianas Variety on Friday, Jan. 19, I was quoted as saying: “The Republican Party will conduct a primary to select its candidates for this year’s midterm elections.”
As a matter of public information and to set the record straight on this issue, my statements were completely taken out of context by the interviewing reporter. In fact, I NEVER said that the GOP was going to hold a primary and I am not in a position to make such a decision on behalf of the party. Furthermore, this is not to say that I will oppose the idea of conducting primaries if ultimately, the decision handed down by the GOP’s central committee calls for such activities to be conducted. Instead, I will respect such a decision and wholeheartedly support such a move.
Here’s what really transpired during the telephone interview:
This reporter asked me whether the GOP will be having a primary and I responded, “That is a decision that will be left up to the party’s central committee to decide on in next Tuesday’s central committee meeting. Nonetheless, because of the costs associated with holding primaries, such avenue may be considered as a last resort.” The reporter then asked me why primaries are conducted and I replied: “Primaries are usually conducted when the number of individuals seeking elected office seats outnumbers the number of said seats available to fill.” I followed my statement with unveiling the names of the current members of the central committee: Tom Pangelinan, chairman; Bennet Seman, 1st vice president; Roman Tudela, 2nd vice president; Karl Reyes, treasurer; Kimo Rosario, secretary. First Senatorial District, Precinct Club (Duly Elected) Chairmen: John Castro, Precinct 1; Dino Palacios, Precinct 2, Frank Sablan/Frank Q. Guerrero, Precinct 3; and, Benigno Sablan, Precinct 4. Other members as specified in the party bylaws include: John S. Reyes, immediate past president; Marylou S. Ada, National committeewoman; David Sablan Sr., national committeeman; and the present governor, speaker, and senate president — if Republican.
And for the public’s added information, here’s what I requested to be printed in today’s paper:
At this juncture, the board is in the process of setting up individual meetings with ALL duly elected chairmen from the CNMI’s respective precinct clubs to discuss precinct club membership/organization plans, candidate selection process, among other precinct-level and party issues. For this reason, any precinct club meetings conducted prior to this notice are not sanctioned by the board of directors; as such activities do not comply with the NMI Republican Party Association Bylaws and therefore are not recognized. See NMI Republican Party Association Bylaws Art. II §1(a).
In order words, it is critical that the general membership uphold the organization’s bylaws as these set of rules and regulations is what governs the organization as a whole. Additionally and in serving the best interests of the party’s general membership, it is my duty NOT to affix my signature (which is required pursuant to the existing election law 6342 of Public Law 12-18) on the Election Commission’s list of candidates form which in the end will contain the names of candidates endorsed by the GOP IF the candidate listing contains name(s) of candidate(s) that were NOT properly or duly selected in accordance with the organization’s bylaws. Simply put, we are duty-bound to follow the party’s bylaws and election statute.
Finally, I do not know how the press release (that was approved by the board) and in which I released to the media covering the regular meeting of the officers of the NMI Republican Party Association’s board of directors and, accompanied by the announcement of the scheduled central committee meeting set for next Tuesday; Jan. 23, at 5:30 p.m. over at the residence of Mr. Tom Saures located in Chalan Laulau (behind the PTI bldg.), transformed itself into a misleading and inaccurate article as reported last Friday.

KIMO MAFNAS ROSARIO
Spokesman/Secretary
NMI Republican
Party Association

Moneth G. Deposa replies:
My article was based on the statements you made during our telephone interview.