GOVERNOR Ralph DLG Torres said he gives credit where it is due.
His opponent in the Nov. 25 runoff election, Lt. Gov. Arnold Palacios, earlier said that the governor did not recognize the hardworking people behind road and other infrastructure projects. He said the governor should give credit where the credit is due.
In response, the governor said in a statement: “For each one of these projects, programs, initiatives that we are highlighting, I have recognized and continue to express my gratitude and appreciation for all involved, from our government departments and agencies, NGOs, community partners, and federal partners for their critical involvement. I have emphasized the importance of these partnerships from the beginning, and these are all the accomplishments that resulted from working together.”
He added, “At ribbon cuttings, groundbreaking ceremonies, community events, during the KKMP media briefings, on social media, and in person, I always ensure to give credit where it is due, and thank all those who work hard to make the CNMI a better place to live. Lt. Governor Palacios is not present at these important events, or even in the previous KKMP media briefings, to hear me thank everyone from our government workers, our community and federal partners, our people.”
Torres said throughout the pandemic, “I thanked all our first responders, nurses, doctors, and everyone involved in our successful response.”
“Unfortunately,” Torres said, “Lt. Governor Palacios was nowhere to be found during the pandemic response, unaware of the PPEs we were bringing in for our first responders or our state of recovery because he was afraid of Covid-19, and he stayed home. Three years later, he is putting out these accusations that I am not acknowledging our hardworking employees, but where was he when I was acknowledging the sacrifices our first responders made for the safety of our community? He was at home.”
Palacios said he was out there just like the governor, but he didn’t “drag the press corps” with him “to take pictures and make himself look like he’s doing things.”
According to the governor, “What is important to highlight for all of these projects, is not only that they were accomplished and made possible during this administration, but most importantly that they were all made successful through collaboration and working together for the betterment of each person that calls these islands home.”
Insulting
In an interview on Wednesday, Torres noted the lt. governor is criticizing his — Palacios’s — own administration.
Palacios was Torres’s running mate in the 2018 election.
“I mean that is an insult to himself,” Torres said. “I’ve been quiet all this time [but] now they throw ‘rocks’… and…criticize the same administration [which he has served for] the last three and a half years.”
He noted that Palacios and his running mate, Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang, said they have 50 years of combined experience.
“Imagine that, 50 years…. Shouldn’t the CNMI be perfect by now? … But he is the one that degrades Saipan [and compares it to] Skid Row,” referring to Palacios.
Torres said he has extensive experience in working on all CNMI issues.
“I have traveled to Washington, D.C. and addressed our CW-1 issues,” he added. “I have appeared before the U.S. Senate and talked with other U.S. lawmakers and cabinet members. I have worked with a Democratic president and a Republican president. I have experience in dealing with national level politics, and in running the local government.”
During natural disasters and the pandemic, Torres said, “I was out there with the community. I love my community; I love my people.”
Torres said he also has a strong partnership with federal agencies and officials.
“I ask the community to look at my background. Look at the facts, look at my drive for the community, where was I during the pandemic. Ask yourself this. When the next typhoon comes, who do you think will be out there with the first responders? Who do you think will be out there with other government employees? Who will be out there for you and knows exactly what you need?”
Torres said he has been giving his all to the community since day one.
But he said he will not engage in a smear campaign against his political opponents.
“We are focusing on what we need to do for the community. This is how I was raised, my upbringing,” he added.
“We in the Republican Party are family. We have struggled together, and we will move forward together,” Torres said.
Republican Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and his running mate, Senate Floor Leader Vinnie F. Sablan, listen to a question from a reporter during a media conference Tuesday at their campaign headquarters in Garapan.
