Acting Gov. Eloy S. Inos, the running mate of Gov. Benigno Fitial of the ruling Covenant Party, former Sen. Ramon “Kumoi” S. Deleon Guerrero and his running mate former Education Commissioner David M. Borja, and former Sen. Juan “Juanpan” T. Guerrero and running mate House Floor Leader Joseph N. Camacho attended yesterday’s forum sponsored by the CNMI Bar Association at the Hyatt.
Republican candidate Rep. Heinz S. Hofschneider and Fitial were off-island.
Ramon S. Deleon Guerrero said the biggest problem in the CNMI is that it’s a very small community yet everything is highly politicized.
“Our biggest problem here is political interference. I will clean it up if elected governor,” he said during the forum when one of the bar members asked why incumbent leaders seem weak in pushing for white collar crime prosecution among public officials suspected of corruption and focusing on the “small fish” instead of the “big fish.”
He said the CNMI’s reputation in Washington is tainted because of its failure to clean up its own act and this affects its economy.
Inos said the Fitial administration believes in the prosecutorial discretion of the Attorney General’s Office in civil and criminal matters.
Juan T. Guerrero, for his part, believes that the AG’s office should be more independent.
“We need to clean the commonwealth if we are to provide stability and clean our name,” he said.
The economy
Inos said the CNMI can still use its duty-free privilege when exporting goods to the states.
“We just have to find the right mix from the manufacturing industry,” he added.
He said industries related to the military are also interested in the CNMI.
Two major shipping firms are considering Saipan, he added.
“What the commonwealth needs now is leadership stability during rapidly changing times. Governor Fitial and I are not running on rhetoric; we have a proven record that we wish to build on. There are still many issues to be resolved and the next four years will be very critical for our commonwealth. We cannot afford to start from scratch with untested new leaders facing more unprecedented challenges. We must rely on experience,” the acting governor said.
Borja believes that the coming federalization of local immigration could enhance the CNMI’s tourism-based economy.
He said there are specific programs in the law that can attract foreign investors.
He did not elaborate.
Juan T. Guerrero said the CNMI should clean its house before it can attract new industries.
“I am a private businessman with over 30 years of experience. Joe [Camacho] is an attorney. I believe that we can apply business practices when operating our government,” he said.
“Joe and I are running a clean campaign that does not answer to any special interest group. We are not promising jobs to people, and we are not promising contracts to companies. But if we hire, we will make sure to hire the best qualified individuals who are willing to work hard with transparency and accountability at all times. And we will work with the private sector to ensure all those who are qualified and want to work can find a job. What we promise is for making our commonwealth a better place and easier place to do business,” he added.
