A LONG line of supporters on Airport Road greeted independent gubernatorial candidate Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios who returned to the island Saturday after over a month of medical treatment in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Palacios and second lady Wella Palacios arrived past 8 a.m. at the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport and were met there by the Arnold-Dave 2022 gubernatorial campaign team led by his running mate, Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang, and campaign chairman, former Speaker Oscar M. Babauta.
The welcoming crowd of supporters lined up along Airport Road from the airport all the way to Herman’s Bakery in Dandan.
The welcoming party was organized by the Women’s Coalition for AD 2022.
“A lot of our people are out there lining up the road,” Babauta said.
Palacios and his wife were very elated to see the AD 2022 team and very appreciative of the welcoming crowd of supporters, Babauta added.
The AD 2022 supporters want their gubernatorial candidate to know that the campaign team is always ready to move forward.
In a separate interview, Mayor Apatang said, “I am very happy that he is back on island. The people have been asking about him and his health. And as we saw him, he looks great, ready to work and ready to deal with the issues here in the Commonwealth.”
Among those who welcomed Palacios were three Democrats: Rep. Denita Yangetmai, Rep. Vicente Camacho and Sen. Edith Deleon Guerrero.
On May 31, 2022, Palacios was giving testimony in the criminal case against Gov. Ralph DLG Torres in Superior Court when the lt. governor experienced excruciating pain in his lower back.
He was brought to the Commonwealth Health Center and later transported to the Queens Healthcare Center in Honolulu aboard a military aircraft for additional testing and treatment.
In an interview in August 2021, he told reporters that he had recovered from sciatica pain after a successful surgery in Arizona.
From left, Rep. Denita Yangetmai, Rep. Vicente Camacho, Rep. Corina Magofna and Sen. Edith Deleon Guerrero.
Vice Speaker Blas Jonathan Attao, center, and other AD 2022 supporters hold a welcome banner for Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios on Airport Road, Saturday.
Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and second Lady Wella Palacios wave at supporters on Airport Road after arriving from Hawaii on Saturday.
