He earlier declined to sign the petition against the proposal to designate the three Northern Islands of Uracas, Maug, and Asuncion, saying he opposed “permanently clos[ing] the door on a cooperative venture…with our federal government.”
But according to Joaquin P. Villagomez, Tenorio later signed the petition after speaking with one of the Republican lawmakers who do not support the Pew proposal.
Tenorio is the GOP candidate for the CNMI’s congressional delegate seat, and because of his initial refusal to sign the petition, Villagomez resigned as treasurer of the party.
Yesterday, Villagomez showed Variety a copy of the petition showing Tenorio’s signature.
Villagomez said he remains a Republican even though he is no longer an official of the party.
In his letter to Villagomez, Tenorio said, “As the CNMI’s resident representative…I hope that this communication…will once and for all clear the controversy, exonerate me from the vicious criticism and misinformation that are being circulated among our people, restore our long friendship, and finally…restore civility and harmony among all our people.”
Tenorio said a dialogue between the federal government and the CNMI should still be a priority concerning the proposed marine monument.
