Lizama and another Independent candidate, John Oliver DLR. Gonzales, filed their petitions of candidacy yesterday with the Commonwealth Election Commission.
Gonzales, the mining division chief of the Department of Public Lands and a cable TV host, was the first to file his petition.
A political science graduate of the Washington State University, Gonzales served the Teno-Pepero administration in 1998 to 2002 in various capacities.
His election slogan is “New Vision. New Direction.”
Washington Rep. Pete A. Tenorio, the Republican Party’s candidate, left for the nation’s capital and won’t be back until the end of this month.
He has until Aug. 6 to file his candidacy.
Lizama filed his petition late yesterday afternoon.
Guerrero said the former judge is the most qualified among the candidates.
“I accepted the (campaign manager’s position) because I feel he’s the most qualified for the job. The judge is a lawyer. He can interpret laws and the Covenant (agreement with the U.S.),” Guerrero told Variety in a phone interview.
“He’s a two in one person — he’s a lawyer and a former judge,” he added.
Lizama resigned as associate Superior Court judge in May before announcing his intent to run in the historic congressional election.
Guerrero said they are still finalizing Lizama’s platform to ensure that it mirrors all the concerns of the people of the commonwealth.
“We need somebody who can protect the interest of our people,” he said.
Two other congressional hopefuls have yet to file their candidacy — outgoing Election Commission Executive Director Gregorio C. Sablan and Sen. Luis P. Crisostimo, D-Saipan.
The commission must certify the candidates by Sept. 20.
The elected delegate will assume his post in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 3, 2009.
