During the debate hosted by the Saipan Chamber of Commerce in the Hibiscus Hall of Fiesta Resort & Spa on Wednesday evening, Republican Juan N. Babauta said Sablan is “living in fantasy land” and can’t push legislation.
“If I’m elected, I’m going to take the decision away from DHS and introduce legislation so that businesses can start spending their money where they want to, and investors will pour capital here,” Babauta said.
The Covenant Party’s Joseph N. Camacho said if DHS cannot come up with the regulations, the CNMI should submit its own to the U.S. Congress.
Democrat Jesus C. Borja said writing letters is not enough to push DHS to come up with the regulations.
“If I were the delegate, I would set a deadline for DHS to release the regulations in no uncertain terms and not wait for them to hand it to us,” Borja said.
Sablan said the delay is hurting the economy and businesses in the CNMI.
He said the CNMI government and the business community need to sit down and discuss just how many guest workers and U.S. citizen workers are in the islands, and how many are needed for various jobs.
Variety learned that the draft regulations have to be reviewed by several federal agencies.
Priorities
If elected, Camacho, a former CNMI House member, said his priority would be to give jobs to U.S. citizens and bring in more investors, tourists, and foreign students to the CNMI.
“The election is about jobs and bringing in more money to the CNMI. U.S. citizens want to work, and we cannot prosper if we keep sending them to the mainland. They should be given priority to improve their lives,” Camacho said.
He said to provide the people with more jobs, the CNMI needs to improve the economy and tap its economic engines such as tourism. He said the CNMI should capitalize on the military buildup.
Sablan’s priorities include education and infrastructure.
“Education has been, and will always be my top priority. You sent me to Congress to work for you and I did. I promise to work hard every day,” Sablan said.
“Everyone talks about their qualifications and experience. But I the truth is, I am the only candidate with the experience that matters: I am a member of Congress. I know what a member of Congress can do,” he added.
“These three people keep on saying ‘If, if, if’ but I can say ‘I have,’ ” Sablan said.
“I don’t work for the Republican Party or the Democrats or the Covenant Party. I work for you. I work for the people of the Northern Mariana Islands.”
If elected, Babauta, a former governor and Washington representative, promised that he would lift the CNMI from the bottom of the pole.
“For 30 years, we don’t have a representation in the Congress and we were at the bottom of the totem pole. Now we have, but we are still at the bottom of the totem pole. I am tired of being at the bottom of the pole, but if you elect me as your representative, I bet your bottom dollar to elevate us higher than the totem pole,” Babauta said.
“I am optimistic about the future and want to improve the quality of life in the CNMI. I want a future for my kids, and a higher standard of living. I promise that I will work hard as your delegate to fulfill that and represent you to the best of my ability,” he said.
Babauta commended Sablan for following up on the idea of giving laptops to students — an idea, he said, that was conceptualized when he was governor.
“I commend him (Sablan) for that, but he did not achieve it personally. It was through a grant and I commend [Education Commissioner] Rita Sablan and the Public School System for it,” he said.
Borja’s top priority is also improving the economy.
The former lt. governor and associate justice said if elected, he will sit down with the governor and other CNMI leaders and come up with an economic plan to improve the living conditions of the commonwealth.
He said he will also amend the federalization law so that it can “promote our economy.”
“I am confident that on Nov. 2, you will make the smart choice and vote for me. I promise to give you professional, competent and effective representation in the Congress,” he said.
The candidates were given three minutes to respond to each question and a minute and a half for follow-up comments.
Dr. John Griffin was the moderator.
