Retired Presiding Judge Edward Manibusan, the chairman of the Committee to elect John Gonzales, described the Department of Public Lands official as the “right man” for the post.
“He needs our help financially so he can get his messages to our villages. We need volunteers. We want to be in every village and every street corner,” said Manibusan during the gathering held at the Hafa Adai Hotel.
The 37-year-old Gonzales holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Washington State University and was a federal government scholar.
He held various government positions under different administrations and currently works as mining division chief of DPL.
He comes from a poor family — his mother, now deceased, was Chamorro while his father was a construction worker from the Philippines who migrated to Saipan in 1968.
Gonzales said he knows how difficult it is to be underprivileged in the Northern Marianas.
As the eldest in a brood of seven, Gonzales, now a father of three, said his education became his ticket to a better life and now wants to return the favor by serving his community.
“The new generation must step up to the plate,” he said. Our [meager] resources end up in the hands of the few. Enough is enough. We must take our government. We must reclaim our government to serve the people.”
He added, “I feel the pain of the common people. I have no connections with the garment industry. I have no connections with the poker industry. The only connection that I have is the people’s interest.”
Gonzales’ high school classmates have rallied behind his election bid.
CD Consulting Services, which is owned by Daniel Camacho and Roxanne Diaz, was hired to create a Web site for Gonzales — www.gonzalesforuscongress.com.
Gonzales said the Web site will serve a forum for him and the electorate.
“Ask me the hard questions. Don’t just vote for me because I’m your friend. Don’t just vote for me because I’m the handsomest of all the candidates. Character counts in this election and that’s what I offer you,” he said.
“I will never give in to special interests. I will be the champion of the common people. I will restore trust in, and respect for, the federal government,” he added.
Gonzales’ father, Alfredo, said he has always been proud of his son.
“God is really good. We’re so poor but he’s been blessed with intellect. He got a scholarship that’s why he was able to go to college,” said his father.
