LOCAL Republicans met on Thursday, Jan. 16 at the Minachom Atdao pavilion to discuss the return of Gov. Arnold I. Palacios to the GOP and the future of the party itself.
They also talked about what the local party’s priorities should be under Republican Donald Trump’s presidency.
Del Benson said the CNMI needs some “continuity with Washington.”
“We are a colony of the United States. We don’t have much of a say,” Benson said. “We have to be careful in Washington. We need them in our pocket right now. I would say let’s try and be forgiving. … Let’s move forward based on principles.”
He said those principles should be “freedom and independence, smaller government, fewer regulations, [and] personal prosperity.”
He also called on the local Republicans to “come together.”
“Yes, we’ve been hurt, we’ve hurt each other. It was a horrible time with all the accusations. We need to heal, we need to get over it. The fact that [the governor] can join the party doesn’t mean that he has to be the head of the party.”
In 2022, then-Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios bolted the GOP after its leadership decided not to hold a gubernatorial primary.
Palacios ran as an independent gubernatorial candidate with then-Republican Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang as his running mate. With the support of local Democrats, they defeated the Republican tandem of then-Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and then-Sen. Vinnie Sablan in the runoff.
On Thursday, Patricia Rasa, a planning director of the Department of Public Lands, said “nobody owns the Republican party,” and added that “each one of us who wants to be a member should be a member. … There’s no restriction.”
Ray N. Yumul, the Department of Public Works secretary, said he would welcome the governor back to the local party.
“I’m a cabinet member and when Governor Arnold Palacios said he was rejoining the Republican National Committee it actually uplifted me because he’s basically given us the opportunity to come back to the Republican party,” Yumul said.
“I know it may be painful for those of you who are true diehards — all respect. To me that’s the foundation of the Republican party because we can see that you are adamant about the party and your belief in the party. I know it was mentioned … that we can’t take back the past but it is part of history at this point. We can make it stronger going forward if we just do the right thing and be a better party.”
Jesus Taisague, a former economic development director, said the GOP is a “party of inclusion.”
“We see individuals move away, we see individuals coming back,” he said. “So I guess if we are going to abide by and practice that philosophy, then I guess we should have the Republican Party continue to practice that party of inclusion.”
Former Rep. Andrew S. Salas said President Donald Trump “is the man in Washington, D.C.” and that politicians “will pay a penalty” for not being a Republican.
“We need to ask [Governor Palacios], if you’re going to come back [to the party], are you going to work with Trump? Are you going to help our economy? Are you going to be inclusive — because everything that I’ve heard about my primo Arnold is you can’t talk to the guy. So if we’re going to invite him in let’s make sure that the priority is our people. Never mind the party.”
Jose C. Mafnas, director of the Division of Customs and Biosecurity, said he’s “always been a Republican” despite being “pushed out” of the party. He said he wants the party to unify and be open to other members.
“There’s strength in unity,” he said. “We’re all united. Honestly, [let’s] roll out the red carpet and welcome everybody that are here. There’s strength in quantity. … Twice I got pushed out, but I’m still Republican. I’m here tonight. Don’t plant any birak [ghost] in your mind. Think positive. Think about recruiting more people.”
Tinian Sen. Jude U. Hofschneider said the party needs to “tread carefully.”
“Keep an open mind because although we are very far — we’re barely a dot in the globe — we are very big in the eyes of national security and national geopolitical issues,” he said. “Before we escalate whatever agenda is moving forward, let’s keep an open mind and tread carefully. It’s a Trump administration….”
Josephine Basa questioned the “timing” of interest in the GOP. Present at the meeting were several independent members of the House of Representatives, including Joel Camacho, Vincent Aldan, BJ Attao, Angelo Camacho, Marissa Flores, Malcom Omar, and JP Sablan.
“My question now to all of you present here: Why now? Why [do] all of you [want] to join the GOP. There must be an agenda. Why now?” Basa asked.
Tony Kapileo said, “respect goes both ways” and that the governor overstepped the process to rejoin the party.
“If we’re talking about respect, why did we bypass the local chapter? Or why did the application process go straight to the RNC when we have bylaws?” he asked. “Rule Number 11 says the RNC should consent with the local chapter for any applicants into the party. So if we’re talking about respect, I don’t know how we can call that … a respectable move by going straight to the RNC and bypassing the local chapter.”
Former Department of Lands and Natural Resources Secretary Tony T. Benavente, in Chamorro, said, “Mandandaña hit, lao kao man humihita?” meaning, “We are gathering, but are we uniting?”
He also questioned the composition of the party’s leadership.
“This leadership that we have, is it really our vote to put them in? Is it really us GOP that really put them in? If we vote and be united to really put the right people as GOP leadership, I feel we can bring this unity. I’m still in question. I’ve been with the GOP, but if I’m going to stick to the GOP it better be the right leadership.”
The party’s current president is Ramon A. Tebuteb, the board chairman of the Commonwealth Ports Authority.
The GOP is the most dominant political party in CNMI history, winning seven out of 12 gubernatorial elections. The Democrats have won only two, while former Republicans have won three.
The local GOP president, Ray Tebuteb, speaks during a party meeting on Thursday.
Former DLNR Secretary Tony Benevente delivers his remarks at the GOP meeting.
Customs and Biosecurity Director Jose Mafnas speaks at the GOP meeting.
Del Benson speaks at the meeting of the local GOP on Thursday.
DPW Secretary Ray Yumul speaks at Thursday’s meeting of the local GOP.
Several independent members of the House of Representatives were present at the Thursday meeting of the GOP.
