THE Precinct 2 independent tandem of Rep. John Paul Palacios Sablan and Northern Marianas College Enrollment Services Director Manny Gregory Tenorio Castro said they chose to “take the high road” regarding the recent removal of one of their campaign signs.
A property owner in Precinct 2 poses with the campaign sign that was re-installed by Rowina Ogo after the family allowed her to remove it on Good Friday.
A video that circulated on social media showed Rowina Ogo, the former wife of the governor’s brother, attorney Vince Torres, removing a campaign sign of Sablan and Castro at a Chalan Kanoa house.
In a joint statement on Sunday, Sablan and Castro said:
“We are aware of a series of videos going viral. The videos clearly show an individual and a few accomplices taking down our Sablan-Castro banners at a residence in Chalan Kanoa. After communicating with the family at that residence, they confirmed that no one authorized the individual to take down the banners. Not only did she remove the banners from the property, she unlawfully took it with her, in an attempt to deprive it from us.
“She basically published both the evidence and testimony of her crime. This act of foolishness does not represent our culture and values as community.
“For now, given the significance of this [holy] week, we have chosen to take the high road on this incident, and will discuss at our next committee meeting.”
Consent
But in an interview, Ogo said she received the consent of the family members at the Chalan Kanoa house to remove the Sablan-Castro campaign sign.
Earlier that day, Ogo said she received a phone call from the family asking her if they could join her Legacy 5X Group, which is supporting the candidacy of Republican Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and his running mate, Senate Floor Leader Vinnie F. Sablan.
Ogo said the family asked her to come over at their residence to install a Torres-Sablan campaign sign.
When she arrived there, she saw there was already a campaign sign installed — that of Rep. JP Sablan and Manny Castro.
Ogo said she told the family she would not install her candidates’ campaign sign if there was already another campaign sign at their property.
She said the family then told her to remove the Sablan-Castro campaign sign.
Ogo said the owners of the property were there as she removed the Sablan-Castro campaign sign.
When the video circulated on social media, she said she sent her team to the Chalan Kanoa house to reinstall the Sablan-Castro campaign sign.
She also issued the following statement:
“I extend my apologies to the [Republican] Party, the candidates, their families and supporters. My action in removing the banner was in no way meant or intended to disrespect or hurt anyone. Without permission from the homeowners, I would not have taken it down.
“I run a private political group and my actions are in no way a reflection of my group or the Republican Party.
“Un dangkulo na dispensasion para todos hamyo.
“My apologies to the Republican Party, the candidates, their families and supporters for the recent ordeal. My group and I will continue to support Torres-Sablan, Lee Pan and the Republican Party.”
