In a press conference, former Gov. Juan N. Babauta and his running mate, Board of Education member Galvin S. Deleon Guerrero called their platform “a vision for the future.”
The platform they said “will evolve” as they continue to receive inputs from the community.
They said their team is more than willing to work with party officials and the full GOP slate in developing a complete party platform for the general elections.
Babauta and Deleon Guerrero emphasized their commitment to providing a convenient and “fair playing field” for businesses in the CNMI to help the economy recover.
Their short-term economic plan includes rebuilding a productive working relationship with the federal government.
Babauta and Deleon Guerrero said besides the decline in federal funds for the islands, “millions of dollars available to the CNMI are not being expended.”
These federal monies, they said, are sitting unused at the time when the commonwealth needs an infusion of cash for its beleaguered economy.
For long-term economic growth, the team said they will focus on education by dedicating the necessary resources and committing significant investments on it.
They said they believe education is vital for the local economy and its future.
Babauta and Deleon Guerrero also stressed the need to work “toward reliable, affordable utilities and alternative energy.”
They vowed to revitalize the Retirement Fund if elected to office.
Considering the current situation of local and global economy, they said they will focus on initiatives that rely less on local revenue and more on federal funding, public-private partnership and non-profit foundations.
“We must ensure fiscal responsibility, competence, and accountability in the government services,” the team said.
Their opponents in the GOP primary next month is the team of Rep. Heinz S. Hofschneider and Speaker Arnold I. Palacios.
