Ed Maratita, GOP chairman in Rota, confirmed to the Variety yesterday the Republican Party will have no line-up for the election but it will “most likely” be supporting Sen. Paterno Hocog who is seeking a re-election and Ross Manglona, Northern Marianas College-Cooperative Research Extension and Education Services NMC-CRESS director, who is seeking a seat in the House of Representatives.
In the absence of the GOP candidates in Rota, the Republican gubernatorial team of Rep. Heinz Hofschneider and House Speaker Arnold Palacios, however, is placed in the “most advantage” side against the Covenant bets, according to Maratita.
He said Rota remains a stronghold of the GOP and its members will be campaigning for their gubernatorial team.
On Sunday, Maratita said the GOP leadership in Rota tried to resolve the issue between Rep. Victor Hocog and Steve Mesngon, who are both seeking to be endorsed as the party’s mayoral candidate.
He said he wanted the two to talk on the issue and reach a compromise agreement but they failed.
Yesterday, Maratita said he officially informed the two that GOP will have no mayoral candidate.
“Somebody has to give in but nobody from the two want it,” he said and added he called the two before making the decision but only Hocog showed up.
A primary between Mesngon and Hocog was suggested but the former rejected the proposal.
Maratita said the decision is now final and reconsideration is remote because the committee is no longer complete.
In a separate interview, Hocog said he was already informed about the committee’s decision and was surprised about it.
Hocog, who was previously aligned with the Democratic Party, said Mesngon has no intention to resolve the mayoral issue.
“The party should have resolved it,” he said.
