THE governor’s former sister-in-law, Rowina Ogo, was arrested Friday morning on the charge of assaulting Mary Ann Borja at Herman’s Modern Bakery Restaurant on Airport Road, Dandan at around 9 a.m. Ogo was released after posting $1,250 bail. Police said she was charged with assault and battery and disturbing the peace.
“Rowina Ogo attacked me,” Borja told Variety. She said she sustained abrasions on the chest and had to go to the hospital because she felt ill after the incident.
In a separate interview, Ogo said her lawyer, Stephen Nutting, advised her “not to talk to anyone.” “All I can say,” she said, “is that this is not political but she [Borja] is making it all political.”
Ogo said she would ask her attorney if she could issue a statement regarding the incident.
Borja said she believes Ogo’s hostility stemmed up from an incident in April when Ogo removed a campaign sign of independent Precinct 2 House candidates, Rep. John Paul Sablan and Northern Marianas College Enrollment Services Director Manny Castro, in Chalan Kanoa.
On Facebook, Borja said she posted her comment on the high cost of a case of water on Rota, and the high cost of living there.
Borja said she believes Ogo took her FB posts personally, thinking that “I was talking bad about her island, when in fact, I was just saying it so leaders can do something to help Rota.”
On Friday morning at Herman’s Bakery, Borja said she bought bread for a fundraising event set for that evening for military veteran and retired police officer Edward Castro Barcinas, who is vying for Rota’s lone House seat as an independent candidate.
Borja said she was already walking out of Herman’s Bakery when someone suddenly pushed her against a glass fixture in the restaurant. She said she did not even know it was Ogo. Borja said she fell on the floor, and it was only then that she saw that it was Ogo who pushed her.
Borja said she couldn’t defend herself as Ogo used her fingernails to attack her. She said Ogo also tried to strangle her.
“I am traumatized,” Borja said. “I can’t eat. I cannot even leave my house alone now as I fear for my life.”
She said aside from filing criminal charges, she also plans to seek a temporary restraining order against Ogo.
Borja is a supporter of the Arnold I. Palacios-David M. Apatang independent gubernatorial ticket while Ogo is campaigning for the Republican tandem of Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and Senate Floor Leader Vinnie F. Sablan.
Mary Ann Borja said she felt ill after she was attacked by Rowina Ogo.
Rowina Ogo says “it is not political.”
