“I have…seen enough of the current administration’s brand of leadership, which has been fraught these past four years by abuses of power, secrecy, corruption and allegations of corruption, a lack of planning, severe mismanagement of virtually every single critical government agency, unfair hiring and procurement practices, a continuing exodus of qualified professionals across all government agencies, and a profound inertia and lack of political will to decisively address a host of crises that have only worsened over the past four years, including the Retirement Fund, the hospital, [the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.], the Department of Public Safety, and [the Commonwealth Ports Authority],” said Saipan Independent Rep. Tina Sablan.
She said it is “nonsense” to prefer “the devil we know,” and give the governor another five years to “finish what he started.”
The CNMI, she added, “deserves so much better than leadership that even Fitial supporters would describe as evil, and better than a governor who wants to ‘finish’ disasters that he has created.”
According to Sablan, “The only ‘leadership that has been ‘proven’ these past four years is failed leadership. The only ‘experience’ that has been ‘proven’ these past four years has been experience running the CNMI into the ground. We can’t afford another five years of that.”
She accused the governor of ruling through fear and intimidation.
“Many of the people who are considering casting their votes for Fitial’s reelection are government and also private sector employees who are fearful of losing their jobs, businesses that are fearful of losing their lucrative contracts and qualifying certificates, and now certain individuals who had previously called for change and reform who are now fearful of being on the outside and subject to retaliation should the Fitial administration win another term,” Sablan said.
Asked for comment, the chairman of the ruling Covenant Party, Greg Camacho, said: “We are proud of the positive campaign we have run and we see no need to engage in a ‘tit for tat.’ We will continue to focus on the important issues facing our commonwealth and provide real solutions that produce real results.”
Camacho said “our leaders expect to face criticisms when they make decisions, but to criticize the hard work of the many employees of this administration is very disappointing.”
Sablan said it is “sad” that there are people “willing to sell themselves out — and sell this community out — for a job, a contract, and all the perks, however unethical or unfair, however short-lived or short-sighted, of being on the good side of this administration.”
She added, “On some level, the rest of us should perhaps feel sorry for them. But all of us will suffer from their sell-out if they prevail — and we should stand strong for them, for ourselves, for our children, and for the future of this community and refuse to be ruled by fear and intimidation when we go to the polls on Nov. 23.”
She urged voters to participate in the runoff.
“There is too much at stake not to participate in this historic runoff election, and so I call on all citizens to vote on Nov. 23 and take a strong stand for change in the status quo, and new leadership at the top. Bad leadership is only ever elected and reelected when good people fail to cast their votes. We have to care enough to participate. We have to care enough about the future of our children and the values they will learn from us by making the wisest, most responsible decisions now.”
Asked about her plans once her term ends in January, Sablan said: “I have absolutely no intention of packing my bags and giving up on the CNMI. My heart is here…. I am focusing on options that would allow me…to continue the work that has really only begun in many ways. These options include opening up a small business, and also forming an independent and credible citizen action group that would raise civic awareness, continue to push for greater transparency and accountability in government, and help connect people better to the government that is supposed to serve them. I’ve always wanted to do both, and now I am free to do so.”
She said she might consider running for office again in the future.
Sablan ran for the Senate, but lost.
