However, he noted, if Independent Reps. Teresita A. Santos of Rota and Stanley T. Torres of Saipan would “go to the other side,” then the Republican minority bloc will be the new majority — especially if House Minority Leader Diego T. Benavente is willing to work with the Fitial administration.
Tenorio said the ruling party is a group formed by former Republicans headed by Gov. Benigno R. Fitial, who served as GOP chairman.
According to the speaker, because Fitial can no longer seek another term, he may even consider supporting Benavente for governor in 2014.
Benavente declined to comment.
Tenorio also noted that Rep. Raymond D. Palacios, Covenant-Saipan, no longer supports him.
“Why should I continue to be the speaker of the majority coalition if some of its members are not really supporting me right now?” the former governor asked.
But Tenorio said a change in leadership “is not a concern of mine.”
“If the minority bloc will have the majority of the votes, there’s nothing I can do,” he added.
Tenorio also wants to make it “very clear” that he became speaker at the request of Fitial.
He recalled that when he ran for a House seat, he never thought of becoming the speaker.
Tenorio was the only Covenant Party House candidate who won in Precinct 1, which elected five Republicans.
Fitial also won in the vote-rich precinct, a GOP bailiwick.
“So I’m in a dilemma here,” Tenorio said. “I want to step down and be a regular House member. But I’m waiting to hear from the governor if it’s OK that I step down. If the governor does not mind me stepping down then he should let me know.”
Besides the lack of support from some members of the majority, Tenorio said his office also lacks funds.
“I am the speaker but yet my funding is the same as any other House member,” said Tenorio who is also having a “problem” with the Legislative Bureau director whom he wants to replace.
If he could work with the LB director he believes his office can function better and more efficiently, but Tenorio doubts this would happen.
In a separate interview, Palacios said he is still with the House leadership.
But he said he cannot be involved in Tenorio’s bickering with LB Director Glenna SP. Reyes because she is a relative.
He believes that if Tenorio steps down as speaker, Torres will cast the vote that will decide who will be the new presiding officer.
Torres is a close ally of the governor.
Asked for comment, Torres said: “I think the speaker provided you the right information. So whatever the speaker says, I agree with him.”
Saipan Rep. Joseph M. Palacios, who accepted a chairmanship from the Covenant leadership, said he remains loyal to the Republican Party. He, too, believes there will be a change in the House leadership.
