By Bryan Manabat
bryan@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
ROTA Mayor Aubry M. Hocog said she will seek a second term and plans to file for reelection under the Republican Party, emphasizing continuity in infrastructure improvements, community investment, and interagency cooperation despite ongoing austerity measures.
Hocog, 38, made history in 2022 when she became the first woman elected mayor of Rota, winning a five-way race in the general election. She secured 505 votes, or 34.9%, finishing ahead of Harry Masga with 470 votes (32.5%), Teresita A. Santos with 288 votes (19.9%), Magdalena Mesngon with 159 votes (11%), and Alfredo Taimanao with 23 votes (1.6%).
In a recent interview, Hocog said her decision to run again comes with the support of her partner, family, and the municipal team she credits with advancing projects across the island.
“With the support of my partner and my family, I will be seeking reelection,” she said. “If the people are satisfied and give me the humble opportunity to continue serving as their mayor, I would be honored to keep doing the work we’ve started to aggressively upgrade our island.”
Hocog said she has not yet submitted her letter of intent to the Republican Party but plans to do so soon, citing a demanding workload as the reason for the delay.
Record, teamwork, and austerity
The mayor highlighted her administration’s efforts to secure grants, collaborate with central government agencies, and maintain project momentum despite limited resources.
“We’ve been very aggressive in applying for grants and working with our central government and my colleagues, especially during this time of austerity,” she said. “We’ve been successful in maneuvering and securing funding to support many projects that have already started, have been completed, or will begin later this year.”
Hocog emphasized that progress on Rota is the result of collective effort.
“It’s not a one-person effort,” she said. “We have to work with the Rota leadership, the delegation, our council, our cabinet, and our people to move these projects forward.”
Background and motivation
Before being elected mayor, Hocog served as a special assistant for programs and grants under former Mayor Efraim Atalig, where she helped write grants and served on various boards and commissions for more than seven years. She said those experiences prepared her for municipal leadership.
“It has always been part of my plan to run,” she said. “When the people of Rota elected me as mayor, it put me in the mindset that I had to work hard for them — to be fair, honest, and transparent.”
Hocog said her original platform focused on improving facilities, infrastructure, and economic opportunities to encourage residents to remain on the island or return home.
“Our people leave because of a lack of opportunity,” she said. “But we’ve also welcomed families back. Many of our people have great ideas and talents; they just need the confidence and opportunity.”
Tourism, investment, and Rota’s identity
Hocog said her administration continues to prioritize ecotourism, cultural programming, and leveraging Rota’s proximity to Guam as a potential “game changer” for visitor arrivals.
“When people come, we want them to have a clean, safe place to enjoy the beach, to play, learn, and grow,” she said. “You can travel around the island and see renovations, new construction, and projects that will begin toward the end of the year.”
She added that attracting investors remains a priority, noting that new investments can create jobs and support local businesses and artists.
Message to the community
Hocog urged residents to remain patient as the municipality navigates limited resources and competing priorities.
“We don’t have the answers to everything, and the answer cannot always be yes,” she said. “We ask for people’s continued support and their ideas. We are open to recommendations and criticism.”
She said community values — respect, kindness, and unity — remain central to her leadership.
“We cannot do it alone,” she said. “We have to work together to build a stronger community.”
So far, Hocog said she has not heard of any challengers but welcomes an open race.
“Everybody is welcome to run,” she said. “The people will decide who will lead their island. I’m offering myself as a candidate, and if they’re happy, I ask for their vote of confidence and continued trust.”
Bryan Manabat was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College where he also studied criminal justice. He is the recipient of the NMI Humanities Award as an Outstanding Teacher (Non-Classroom) in 2013, and has worked for the CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Literacy Program as lead facilitator.
