By Emmanuel T. Erediano
Variety News Staff

THE Republican Party’s board of directors on Friday endorsed the House candidates named by its Precinct 1 club, and among those who personally congratulated the nominees was former Rep. Dave M. Apatang who wasn’t included on the slate because he failed to submit his bio-data.
Apatang, who has consistently topped Precinct 1 elections, shook hands with the six GOP candidates — former Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente, Rep. Joseph P. Deleon Guerrero, former GOP president Joseph C. Reyes, Edward T. Salas, Rep. Manuel A. Tenorio and Ralph DLG. Torres.
Precinct 1 chairwoman Ana S. Teregeyo described Friday’s meeting as “cordial and warm” as Republican Party president Tom Pangelinan announced the names of the candidates.
Apatang, who earlier said that he respected the precinct club’s decision, talked to the candidates and congratulated them.
“He was invited and he showed up and shook hands with the six endorsed candidates,” Teregeyo said.
“This pleased everybody,” she said, and the party “may now move on because there are a lot of things that have to be done.”
Teregeyo said the party leadership and candidates will now begin planning for the election campaign.
Variety also learned that the GOP board may hold a senatorial primary on Saipan between Rep. Stanley T. Torres and former Rep. Benjamin A. Sablan.
But first, the GOP leadership will ask the two aspirants who between them would be willing to “give way.”