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Tebuteb: I’m still a Republican
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Posted on Jul 27 2011
Despite some misgivings over the July 8 GOP membership meeting and general elections, Rep. Ramon A. Tebuteb (R-Saipan) said he is “still a Republican.”
Responding to an invitation to join the local Democratic Party, the Precinct 3 lawmaker said he “appreciates the gesture but I am still with the GOP.”
Responding to former GOP president Juan I. Tenorio’s letter to the editor to the Saipan Tribune yesterday, Tebuteb said he “appreciates his candid response to the letter I sent him. He still has my utmost respect.”
He also called on the new leadership of the CNMI Republican Party to include him and other elected GOP members in their future meetings because they too have the right to provide inputs on the party’s future plans.
“I understand that they continue to meet as a central GOP executive committee but I will kind of appreciate it if they will include sitting elected members to the meetings. I have not yet received an invitation,” he said.
Tebuteb also clarified that he didn’t directly say that he didn’t recognize former governor Juan N. Babauta’s election as new GOP president.
“In the letter I didn’t directly say I didn’t recognize him. I said I still recognize Juan I. Tenorio.”
Tebuteb last week wrote to former Tenorio, saying he does not recognize Babauta as the newly elected CNMI GOP president. He also labeled as “unofficial” the general membership meeting and subsequent GOP election held on July 8 at the Garapan Central Park.
Tenorio, however, distanced himself from the issue and told Saipan Tribune to tell Tebuteb that he already quit politics.
He later sent a letter to editor to the Saipan Tribune where he specifically addressed issues brought to the fore by Tebuteb.
Former lieutenant governor and CNMI Democratic Party acting chair Jesus Borja, meanwhile, said Tuesday that disgruntled GOP members are welcome to join the party.
