Dolores M. San Nicolas, the CNMI Descents’ president, said they wanted Cruz to retract his statement and to be held accountable for making false accusations.
She said their group will file a civil case against Cruz “because we want to protect the integrity of our members and we don’t want to be disrespected by others.”
The group’s spokesman and adviser, former Speaker OscarC. Rasa, said he will file a separate complaint against Cruz for his “malicious statements.”
Cruz, in an e-mail to lawmakers, described the CNMI Descents for Self Government and Indigenous Rights as a front for the ruling Covenant Party and a creation of Gov. Benigno R. Fitial to advance his re-election bid.
The Taotao Tano president also described Rasa as a “master of deception” who advised the governor to sue the federal government over the federalization law.
San Nicolas said the comments of Cruz are “totally malicious” and were aimed to discredit their organization.
“He lacks the membership — we have the membership,” she added.
She said she respects the goals of Taotao Tano, but added that Cruz tries to create controversies about issues not related to the cause of the indigenous people.
“Cruz is not representing the indigenous group. He is only representing himself and his family,” San Nicolas said.
She recalled when Taotao Tano gathered to protest outside the governor’s office on Capital Hill and only his family and other relatives attended the rally.
In contrast, she added ,the CNMI Descents for Self-Government and Indigenous Rights have 4,100 members throughout the CNMI.
Cruz claims he represents the indigenous people, but San Nicolas said the indigenous people “don’t believe in his organization.”
San Nicolas said they raised funds and accepted donations to pay for the lease of their office.
“We are not supported by the governor or the Indigenous Affairs Office,” she added.
She said their group’s other officers are Herman C. Tudela, first vice president; Jesse Tenorio Jr., second vice president; Nicolas P. Blas, treasurer; and Patricia S. Rasa, secretary.
