(AD 2022) — The chairman for the Committee to Elect Arnold and Dave 2022, former Speaker Oscar M. Babauta, said Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios will not participate in another debate with Gov. Ralph DLG Torres due to a scheduling conflict.
Babauta stated that given the short two-week period between the general election and the runoff election, Palacios will not be available for another gubernatorial debate.
Babauta further stated that another debate would be futile.
“The time to debate has passed. We already had one debate sponsored by the Saipan Chamber of Commerce and a forum sponsored by the ASNMC and everything that had to be said has been said,” Babauta said.
The vice chair of the Committee to Elect Arnold and Dave, former Senate President Pete P. Reyes, also expressed his concern regarding another debate.
“We do not see the utility in having another debate, given the level of negativity coming from the Torres-Sablan camp. Moreover, it is the committee’s belief that another debate would not elicit any meaningful information for CNMI voters. For example, the last [chamber of commerce] debate completely excluded any question on the number one issue in this campaign which is government corruption,” Reyes said.
He said Palacios would be willing to debate on the condition that Governor Torres finally respond to questions, under oath, relative to 1) the 20 credit card reimbursements he gave to himself, 2) the IPI community benefit funds, and 3) a detailed/full disclosure of ARPA funds.
“It is only under these conditions that we believe a meaningful and productive debate will occur,” Chairman Babauta said.
Arnold I. Palacios
