By Emmanuel T. Erediano
Variety News Staff

FORMER Rep. David M. Apatang says he respects the GOP Precinct 1 club’s decision to exclude him from its list of six House candidates, adding that he may run as an Independent again.
Apatang was the running-mate of former Speaker Heinz S. Hofschneider in the 2005 gubernatorial election. The two, who garnered the most votes in Precinct 1 and Saipan, ran on an Independent ticket after the Republican Party’s unprecedented decision not to hold a primary. The party suffered its worst defeat in CNMI history in that election.
Apatang, in an interview yesterday, said he does not want to comment further on the controversy regarding the GOP Precinct 1 slate.
Hofschneider and Apatang rejoined the party last December upon the invitation of its officials.
The Precinct 1 club officials earlier said that Apatang, who has consistently topped previous House elections in the precinct, will not be nominated because of failing to submit his bio-data.
Apatang is not the only Republican who may run as an Independent in November, according to a party member who declined to be identified.
He said several party members are also considering leaving the supposedly reunited Republican Party.
GOP Precinct 3 club chairman Skep Palacios, in a separate interview, said he is scheduled to meet with former Speaker Hofschneider, who is expected to be one of the GOP’s six House candidates from Precinct 3.