THE Republican and Independent camps called for a halt to negativity and innuendos following an assault incident involving their supporters in Susupe on Tuesday evening.
Both political groups have set up canopies in the area across from the multi-purpose center, a polling center.
NMI Republican Party President Candace Celis said, “What happened was very unfortunate and these acts are unacceptable. We would like to ask everyone to respect each other’s boundaries. The incident is under investigation, that is all we can say at this moment…. But, again let’s all just respect each other because at the end of the day after this election, we’re all family, right?”
Celis said she was not in the area when the alleged assault occurred.
“All this negativity going on doesn’t need to happen,” she said. “Let us just continue to remain positive…. Advanced Happy Thanksgiving to everyone.”
Kin Evan Taisacan, a Torres-Sablan supporter, said an Arnold-Dave supporter tried to choke him, and that the incident was reported to the Department of Public Safety. No other information about the case was available as of Wednesday evening.
J.B Palacios, an AD volunteer, said there was no commotion at the AD camp, and the video circulating on social media provided by a passerby “clearly showed” that the incident did not happen at the AD camp.
“In that video you can actually see an ambulance, a patrol car, with the blue lights and red lights flashing, as well as a political sign that does not say ‘AD,’” he added.
“Again, it was not here, and I am not going to speculate on innuendos, all I can say…is that it was not here in the Independent camp nor did it involve anybody from here,” Palacios added.
“I do not know the individual [the perpetrator],” he said. “The individual does not have any affiliation with the AD campaign other than maybe an overzealous supporter.”
Palacios said, “One thing I can tell you in politics there are a lot of emotions. I have cousins who do not talk to me, just for the fact that I am supporting my nephew. At the end of the day come Friday [runoff election day], when everything has been said and done, we are going to have to meet somewhere and sit down, like this never happened.”
Asked about a supposed list of BOOST grant recipients posted on social media by an AD supporter, Palacios said, “The list originated somewhere…. The AD camp does not in any way shape or form process or approve who is in the BOOST program.”
He added, “The origin of that list is really the question — why and who leaked it. I can assure you we don’t know that. If we did, we would be providing the list to the Legislature so they don’t have to subpoena it.”
A resident whose name was on the list expressed concern that her personal information was leaked.
She also said that an AD supporter, Mary Ann Borja, is alleging that the approval of BOOST grant applications depends on one’s “political connections.”
Palacios said Borja “is our staunch supporter [but] if we are going to go tit for tat for every little thing, we will never be able to focus on the issues that people really want to hear. What are the plans of the candidates for the CNMI? What about schools, the hospital, public safety, drugs, tourism? We can talk about those things, but if there’s no…action…how can you…make your plan into reality?”
Kin Evan Taisacan says he was assaulted by an AD supporter Tuesday night.
NMI Republican Party President Candace Celis talks to reporters regarding an assault incident in Susupe.
AD 2022 volunteer worker JB Palacios talks to reporters on Wednesday regarding a reported assault incident.
