The House leadership is dominated by the ruling Covenant Party.
“I remain a Republican and will continue to carry its ideals,” Palacios said in an interview yesterday.
He said after Speaker Froilan C. Tenorio, Covenant-Saipan, offered him the committee chairmanship three weeks ago he consulted with Republican Party leaders, aside from his family, friends and constituents in Precinct 1.
Palacios said GOP Chairman Juan I. Tenorio told him he could accept the offer “as long I would not change my party.”
He said he assured his party mates that he will not align with the Covenant Party.
He said he doesn’t want people who voted for him to think he is abandoning the Republican Party.
He explained that when he voted with the House leadership during the heated deliberations on the budget bill, he was thinking of the people of the CNMI.
He said he was worried about a government shutdown which unfortunately happened anyway.
Palacios said as chairman of the committee, he would have to work not only for Precinct 1 but for the entire CNMI in addressing issues concerning the commonwealth’s natural resources.
He described the committee as “important” especially now that the islands are having problems with the high cost of fuel and electricity.
Palacios said he will call for a committee meeting on Monday and he hopes all members, including the former chairwoman, Rep. Teresita A. Santos, Ind.-Rota, will continue working together.
“Utility cost is one of the major concerns that we have to address. The most important thing to do is to work together with the other members of the House. By all means, everybody’s idea matters,” he added.
Santos was removed from the leadership for voting with the House minority bloc during the budget deliberations.
