“The report is defective because first of all, it did not comply with the law,” said Borja, who was yesterday’s guest of the Saipan Rotary Club at the Hyatt.
The former Supreme Court justice and lt. governor said the report also incorrectly compared the CNMI with the U.S. Virgin Islands.
“The U.S. Congress should return the report to Interior to have it comply with the law,” he said.
And various groups should discuss it before coming up with a final report that meets the needs of every group concerned, he added.
“At least three groups should meet — for instance the U.S. citizens [of the CNMI], the businesses and the alien workers where they all can talk about what they need,” Borja said.
As the representative of a jurisdiction that has no vote on the floor of Congress, the CNMI’s delegate should know his way in combating hindrances, he said.
If elected into office, Borja said one of his priorities will be to sit down with the governor and the Legislature and come up with an economic plan to help improve the standard of living in the CNMI and “lift us from economic recession.”
“We have advantages, and that is our Covenant with the United States which vowed to assist us get a better life,” he said.
Marine Monument
According to Borja, the Marine Monument Visitor Center should be in the CNMI, and not on Guam.
“We have given up a lot of our resources for the Marine Monument, and it is just fair to have the main visitor center here,” Borja said, adding that he is willing to talk to Guam Congresswoman Madeleine Z. Bordallo about this issue.
Borja said his dedication and commitment to public service, his vast experience in the legal field and his strong feelings and knowledge about the Covenant between the United States and the CNMI are his “advantages” as a candidate.
Asked if Gov. Benigno R. Fitial is doing a good job, Borja declined to comment.
