PRECINCT 2 Republican House candidate Keith William C. Ada has filed a complaint with the Commonwealth Election Commission regarding the validity of the candidacies of two independent candidates, one of whom is his former wife, Marissa Flores of Precinct 3.
The CEC board met on Monday afternoon to certify the candidates for the upcoming general election, as well as to approve the ballot layout.
Present for the meeting were Board Chair Jesus I. Sablan, Vice Chair Esther Q. Yatar, Commissioners John Diego Attao, Lelanie I. Manglona, and Jesus C. Cepeda. Also attending were CEC Executive Director Kayla S. Igitol and staff.
Likewise present were Flores, independent Rep. John Paul Sablan of Precinct 2, Rota mayoral candidate Alfredo T. Taimanao, and Saipan Municipal Council candidate Edwin Raymond B. Quitugua.
In his complaint, Ada said Flores and Sablan do not reside in the precincts they want to represent in the House.
He said both reside in Precinct 5.
Ada said social media videos “prove” that Flores actually resides in Kagman.
But Flores said it is her adult children who reside in Precinct 5, while she rents a home in Garapan.
Ada likewise claimed that Precinct 2 constituents know that Sablan does not reside in Chalan Kanoa, but is a Kagman resident.
“It is my understanding that, in order for a person to run for a House of Representatives seat, the person must physically reside in that precinct and not seek election, or in [Sablan’s] case, re-election, on a technicality,” said Ada.
Sablan, who was first elected to the House in 2012, said he and his wife regularly visit his mother-in-law who resides in Kagman, but he resides in Precinct 2.
Sablan offered as evidence a petition from his neighbors attesting that he does in fact reside in Precinct 2.
As for Taimanao and Quitugua, both may be disqualified due to failure to meet residency requirements.
The CEC challenged Taimanao’s residency because he is a registered voter on Guam.
But Taimanao said he has spoken with the Guam Election Commission board to prove that he has no voter registration records in Guam.
Quitugua’s residency has also been challenged by the CEC because, according to his affidavit of voter registration, he only established residency in the CNMI on Feb. 17, 2022.
According to the law, a House candidate must be “a domiciliary of the Commonwealth for at least three years immediately preceding the date on which a representative would take office.”
Quitugua said he will appeal the election commission’s challenge, even if it results in a lawsuit.
“We have not considered yet whether you are qualified or not,” said election board chair Sablan.
The CEC has scheduled a hearing regarding these challenges at 9 a.m. on Monday, August 22.
The board chair said the commissioners will deliberate and make a final ruling after the hearing.
