BY rebuilding trust and restoring dignity and integrity, independent gubernatorial candidate Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, and his running mate, Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang, described their candidacies and the people’s support as “a journey to a better Commonwealth.”
“We are humbled to be here tonight joined by members of the community who also have the same vision to make things better for our people,” Palacios said during the meet-and-greet fundraising dinner at the Aqua Resort Club on Thursday which he described as one of the largest gatherings “we have embarked on in this journey.”
Palacios hopes to see more members of the community join his and Apatang’s “journey.”
He said he doesn’t believe he needs to say anything much about “where we are today — that is why Dave and I have decided to take on this endeavor for our people, for the dignity and integrity of the Commonwealth — that is the journey that we are on.”
“Things could be better, we know we can make this better and with your help, with your support, and with our commitment we will get there,” Palacios added.
“This is just the beginning,” he said. With eight months to go, Palacios said “we need to work hard for our people and our community and our Commonwealth.”
He said he and Apatang share the “people of the Commonwealth’s vision to make things a lot better than where we are today.”
For his part, Apatang said: “I am asking everyone to please, let’s join hands together. Beginning tonight to November, come tell your families and friends, tell them that AD 2022 is the team that can move forward the Commonwealth and…can do better for our Commonwealth.”
Apatang added, “We know what is going on in this government. We have the experience. We have been in this government for over 30 years so we know how to do it. Give us and our team the opportunity to work for you, the people of Saipan, Tinian and Rota, and those families living in Guam and the U.S.”
“We want to provide a better livelihood for our Commonwealth, and for our people. That is our goal. And we will move forward,” Apatang said.
Palacios and Apatang introduced the other candidates running under the independent AD 2022 banner. They are former Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Council Chairman Ramon “RB” Blas Camacho for Saipan mayor; retired U.S. Navy sailor Vincent “Kobre” S. Aldan and former firefighter Shawn Kaipat who are Precinct 1 House candidates; Rep. John Paul Sablan and Northern Marianas College Enrollment Services Director Manny Gregory Tenorio Castro who are running for the House in Precinct 2; Vice Speaker Blas Jonathan Attao, House Floor Leader Ralph N. Yumul, Rep. Corina L. Magofna and Delbert Pua in Precinct 3; and Rep. Joel Camacho and Malcolm Omar in Precinct 4.
Team AD 2022 said it will soon announce a complete slate which will include senatorial bets for Saipan, Tinian and Rota, House candidates in Precinct 5, and mayoral and House candidates for Tinian and Rota.
Also running for governor are Republican Gov. Ralph DLG Torres whose running mate is Senate Floor Leader Vinnie F. Sablan; and Democratic Rep. Tina M. Sablan who is running with Rep. Leila H.F. Staffler.
Independent gubernatorial candidate, Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, fifth right, and his running mate, Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang, fourth left, pose for a photo with Saipan mayoral candidate, Ramon “RB” Blas Camacho, center, and House candidates, from left, Vincent “Kobre” S. Aldan, House Floor Leader Ralph N. Yumul, Rep. John Paul Sablan, Rep. Corina Magofna, Delbert Pua, Vice Speaker Blas Jonathan Attao, Malcolm Omar and Rep. Joel Camacho during an AD 2022 fundraising dinner at the Aqua Resort Club on Thursday last week.
