Former Speaker Oscar C. Rasa, adviser and spokesman of the CNMI Descent for Self-Government & Indigenous Rights, told Variety yesterday that the people should be given full access to information regarding the candidates.
During a recent meeting, he said their group discussed holding a debate and agreed to pursue it.
Rasa believes that the debate will allow voters to intelligently choose their delegate to the U.S. Congress.
Through the event, voters will understand and know the positions of the candidates on the pressing issues in the commonwealth, he said.
Rasa, who is known to be affiliated with the Republican Party, said their group will not be supporting or endorsing any candidate.
He said they will follow the “Oregon style debate” with two moderators who will ask questions.
“This is highly academic,” Rasa said.
The CNMI Descent for Self-Government & Indigenous Rights is a non-political group, he added.
However, he said, if “it becomes necessary that the interest of the indigenous people is at stake then we will not hesitate to support a candidate who in our opinion has genuine interest for our people.”
He added, “We believe that any candidate who can show genuine concern for the indigenous population and the general population of the commonwealth will more than likely be supported by the people.”
When asked if they can deliver solid vote, he said their group’s “existence will depend on our unity and understanding of our interests and those who sympathize with our situation.”
