By Gemma Q. Casas
Variety News Staff

THE Democratic Party will not endorse Sen. Luis P. Crisostimo’s re-election bid because of his “disloyalty.”
The Democrats will instead nominate their former chairman, Gabriel “Boki” Babauta, according to the party’s central executive committee chairman Norbert Mendiola.
Mendiola said Crisostimo endorsed then-Gov. Juan N. Babauta, a Republican, in 2005 instead of the party’s candidate, former Gov. Froilan C. Tenorio.
Mendiola said Crisostimo even “hugged” Babauta at a political function.
Babauta and Tenorio lost in the four-way 2005 election which was won by Gov. Benigno R. Fitial by 99 votes. The Independent candidate, then-Rep. Heinz S. Hofschneider, placed second.
“As a Democratic senator, Senator Crisostimo’s public endorsement of another party’s candidate showed disloyalty to the Democratic Party,” Mendiola said in a statement.
“Based on the foregoing investigation and findings, the committee finds Sen. Luis P. Crisostimo is not worthy of the committee’s consideration for endorsement and therefore recommends rejection (of his candidacy),” he added.
Variety contacted Crisostimo for comment but was told that he was not available.
One of his staffers, who did not want to be identified, said the senator’s attendance at a function of another political party doesn’t necessarily mean he endorses that party’s candidate.
Crisostimo won his seat in the 2003 elections.
The Democratic Party has a new set of officers.
Manuel C. Sablan is the new party chairman, Pete C. Arriola is the treasurer and Meling S. Chargualaf is the secretary.
A former House member, Babauta served as director of the commerce department’s economic development division.
He holds a masters degree in management and is a former teacher at Hopwood Junior High School.
The Democratic Party is also endorsing the candidacy of Henry A. Torres for one of the two Precinct 2 seats in the House of Representatives.
Torres, a retired executive director of the Guam Board of Election, has more than 25 years of experience in public service.
“The committee finds that a candidate of Mr. Torres’ caliber would be an excellent choice for the party and beneficial to the people of the CNMI,” the party said in a statement.