Sablan, who is running as an Independent candidate, has taken an indefinite leave of absence to campaign.
His platform is based on the three Ps “One Path. One People. One Promise.”
“I believe that ordinary citizens of our islands, emerging from the wrath and horror of World War II, armed with nothing but their hopes, visions and aspirations, worked together during the 30-year trusteeship era to achieve what we are today: a free people in a commonwealth that is self-governing,” said Sablan in a statement he distributed to the media yesterday afternoon.
Sablan was a Democratic member of the 3rd and 4th House of Representatives and was a special assistant to Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, from 1986 to 1987.
He said the worsening economic crisis in the CNMI and the direction of its relationship with the federal government convinced him that this is a time for change.
“We must rededicate ourselves toward the great effort of achieving freedom and economic self-sufficiency. Armed with our hopes, dreams and aspirations, just as our parents and grandparents did more than 60 years ago, we must begin the serious and worthy, but not necessarily easy journey to achieve the lofty goal of economic self-sufficiency for ourselves and for our own children and grandchildren. This is our future,” he said.
Former Rep. Michael P. Tenorio chairs Sablan’s committee to elect on Saipan.
Attorney Joey P. San Nicolas is Tenorio’s counterpart on Tinian while former Retirement Fund Administrator Edward H. Manglona will run Sablan’s campaign on Rota.
Sablan said there are a lot of CNMI issues that must be addressed at the federal level.
He said the impending federalization of the islands’ immigration system should not negatively impact the local tourism industry.
Sablan said better infrastructure, the CNMIs submerged lands, the education system, among other things, can also be addressed in the U.S. Congress.
The other delegate candidates are Department of Public Lands Mining Division Chief John DLR. Gonzales, businessman Chong M. Non, former Tinian Sen. David M. Cing, former Judge Juan T. Lizama, Washington Rep. Pete A. Tenorio, Sen. Luis P. Crisostimo and Saipan municipal council member Felipe Q. Atalig.
