GOVERNOR Ralph DLG Torres on Friday said there should be a debate for the spouses of gubernatorial candidates.
“I think that the spouses should also have a debate because when they travel to the U.S. or travel elsewhere, they represent the CNMI,” he said. “I would like to know…what are your plans to better the CNMI? Because when you are in this position, you [have to] do something to help the community.”
He added, “I think it is important that the…spouses go out and talk about what they are going to do, and be proud of the things that they have accomplished, and let’s see where they’re at in terms of…their drive for the community.”
Torres is married to Diann Tudela Torres, while his running mate, Senate Floor Leader Vinnie F. Sablan is married to Roca Quitugua Sablan.
The independent candidate for governor, Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, is married to Wella Palacios, while his running mate, Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang, is a widower.
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Christina-Marie “Tina” E. Sablan, who is unmarried, said: “I have heard about Ralph Torres’ calls for a spouses’ debate. I think it’s a bit silly. The spouses aren’t running for office, and having a spouse isn’t a qualification to be governor. Besides, not all of the candidates on the gubernatorial tickets are married, myself included.”
She added, “I would suggest that Mr. Torres focus on preparing for and showing up for our own gubernatorial debates. And before he throws his wife under the bus, perhaps he himself should answer questions in a debate about the public expenditures for her that he authorized, including her illegal first-class travel, personal security officers who run errands for her, and multiple recreational trips around the islands using police search and rescue boats.”
Sablan said, “It would also be interesting to debate how much taxpayer money the CNMI could save to have a governor who doesn’t have a spouse, and who can publicly commit to never wasting taxpayer money on nonsense even if she did have one.”
Sablan’s running mate, Precinct 5 Rep. Leila Haveia F.C. Staffler, is married to Mark Staffler.
