The event started out with a motorcade beginning at the airport where approximately 500 Tinian residents anxiously awaited the arrival of the Covenant Party’s standard bearer, Gov. Benigno R. Fitial and his running mate Lt. Goc. Eloy S. Inos. Both arrived at 11 a.m.
Tinian Covenant Party candidates, Mayor Jose P. San Nicolas, Sen. Joseph M. Mendiola, Director Joaquin H. Borja and Rep. Edwin P. Aldan led the motorcade with the governor and lt. governor.
“From where we were sitting (on a pick up truck bed at the beginning of the motorcade) we could see cars, trucks, vans, lowriders, jeeps, bikes, and 4×4 trucks throughout Broadway Avenue. It seemed to go on forever,” said Mayor San Nicolas.
According to one estimate, there were 302 vehicles in the motorcade.
After the motorcade, Tinian Covenant Party Chairman Jose P. Cruz welcomed Fitial Lt. Inos and other visitors from Rota and Saipan to the picnic.
The emcee for the event was former Tinian Covenant Chairman Gary Aldan.
“It was definitely an honor having our governor and lt. governor with us on Tinian. We want all of Tinian to know that we have a complete slate and we are ready for the campaign season. We welcome all residents of Tinian to the party. We are an inclusive party as Democrats, Republicans, and independents are welcome to the Tinian Covenant Party,” said Chairman Jose P. Cruz.
Fital, Inos, and Mayor San Nicolas gave welcoming remarks with the governor highlighting his many accomplishments while in office, namely the release of tens of millions of dollars in “cover over” funds, the timely release of tax rebates and refunds, and deficit free budgets for the past three and a half years.
“As our theme this year is ‘continuing the progress’, we are humbly asking our people of Tinian for an opportunity to continue the progress we are making,” said Mayor San Nicolas.
Maggie Naputi and Joseph T. San Nicolas provided the live entertainment, while Covenant Ladies Chairwoman Juanita M. Mendiola conducted the raffle drawing throughout the day.
Present and prior elected officials and their families were also on hand at the Covenant Party picnic including Sen. Henry H. San Nicolas, Chairwoman Charlene M. Lizama, former Sen. David M. Cing, former Sen. Manuel P. Villagomez, former Mayor Herman M. Manglona, former Municipal Council Chairman Edward A. Villagomez, and the families of former Senator Henry Dlg. San Nicolas, former Sen. Esteven M. King, and the late Senate President Joaquin G. Adriano
Chairman Cruz also announced the endorsement of Eric C. San Nicolas, Eugene L. Villagomez, and Ignacio P. Aquiningoc for municipal council and Lucy Blanco-Maratita for the Board of Education.
