A GOVERNMENT that “this great Commonwealth and its people have been longing for — equitable, fair and transparent” is what independent gubernatorial candidate Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios said he and his running mate, Saipan Mayor David Mundo Apatang, offer.
On Friday at Garapan Central Park, Palacios, his wife Wella, Apatang and their family members and supporters celebrated the lt. governor’s 67th birthday.
Palacios and Apatang said they were “overwhelmed” by the large number of people who showed up for the celebration.
In his remarks, Palacios said he was very happy “that you are all here with us on this journey.”
He added, “So many of you have worked so hard to put many events together. We want also to extend our sincere appreciation to all our donors. I know sometimes it pains our heart, but you nevertheless supported our candidacies and donated from your heart,” Palacios said, adding that he, Apatang and their families, will forever be grateful “to each and every one of you.”
Palacios said when he and Apatang “took this journey, we didn’t just all of a sudden pull this thing out of air.”
“We thought about it,” he said, “because many of you in our community encouraged us to do something. And we have watched many of our people suffer not just from lack of resources but also from the lack of opportunity and lack of equity that we see around our community. That is why Dave and I decided to run. We are running as independent candidates for the people of the Commonwealth.”
He also thanked all the candidates running on the AD 2022 slate.
Palacios said he, Apatang and the rest of the AD 2022 candidates are heeding the call of the people “to give this great Commonwealth and its people what they long for and what they desire — a government that is equitable, fair and transparent. That is what this journey is all about, and we are happy that you are all with us on this journey.”
Also running for governor in the November election are Republican Gov. Ralph DLG Torres whose running mate is Senate Floor Leader Vinnie F. Sablan, and Democratic Rep. Tina Sablan who is running with Rep. Leila Staffler.
Second lady Wella Palacios cuts the birthday cake for independent gubernatorial candidate Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios who celebrated his 67th birthday on Friday at Garapan Central Park.
Independent gubernatorial candidate Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, left, speaks to his supporters during the celebration of his 67th birthday on Friday at Garapan Central Park.
Former Rep. Stanley T. Torres and wife Arlene, right with another Palacios-Apatang supporter.
Former Education Commissioner Rita A. Sablan, husband, Frank third left; former Sen. John “Morgen” Tenorio, former Rep. Juan I. Tenorio, former Rep. John S. “Liling” Reyes and wife Leticia, former Department of Public Land Deputy Secretary Ramon Salas, second left, were among those who attended Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios’s birthday celebration.
The birthday celebrant, independent gubernatorial candidate Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, right, and his running mate, Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang, second left, pose for a photo with former Saipan Mayor Marianne DLG Tudela, and former Rep. Juan I. Tenorio.
Second lady Wella Palacios, second left, with Rep. Corina L. Magofna, right, former Special Assistant for Management and Budget Vicky Castro Vilagomez and Becky Cruz.
