Some Republican Party members claim betrayal

For some CNMI Republican Party lawmakers and supporters, Gov. Benigno R. Fitial, who left the GOP in 2001 to form a new party for his gubernatorial bid, “should not be made to lead the same party he had betrayed.”

House minority leader Joseph Deleon Guerrero (R-Saipan) said yesterday that instead of strengthening the GOP, Fitial essentially chased out those who have been loyal to the Republican Party.

“Did he bring in more or chased out more? Is GOP really gaining? I feel betrayed, and I am not the only one. Our supporters also feel betrayed by party officials,” Deleon Guerrero said.

He questioned how Fitial and his core group could promote unity when they failed to give courtesy to Republican incumbents about a meeting and amendments to bylaws.

Deleon Guerrero, a longtime Republican, likened Fitial to a military leader who betrayed and abandoned his troops, only to lead them again.

Rep. Ray Tebuteb (R-Saipan) said yesterday that Fitial’s betrayal of the party he’s now leading is disenfranchising a lot of loyal party members and supporters.

“Betray me once, shame on you. Betray me twice, shame on me,” he said.

For those silent Republicans who share his sentiments, Tebuteb said he wishes that “they would at least state their point, whatever they feel.”

Deleon Guerrero said “it’s time to be brutally honest about what’s happening.”

He said he will serve his current term as a Republican and serve his precinct and the CNMI, but in the next election, he “may” run as an independent.

Just like the others, Tebuteb and Deleon Guerrero expressed disappointment with those who organized Saturday’s meeting for not inviting incumbents and all party officials to the supposedly party meeting and for failing to inform them about changes to the party’s bylaws.

They said the changes included lifting a prohibition on sitting elected officials from becoming party president, hence allowing Fitial to become president.

Tebuteb reiterated that he’s still a Republican, but a lot of things can happen between now and the next election.

Former Republican Party president Juan I. Tenorio, when asked for comment yesterday, said he’s not surprised about the selection of Fitial as new party president, and thinks that it was “orchestrated.” Tenorio had been a loyal Republican for some 40 years.

“They came with unnecessary amendments without first presenting all the recommended amendments to the whole executive committee to debate and discuss those items, and then present those to the general membership,” he said.

Tenorio reiterated that he has quit politics, but shared his personal opinion about Saturday’s surprise selection of Fitial as party president. GOP president Juan N. Babauta had stepped down to devote his time to being the chief executive officer of the new Commonwealth Healthcare Corp.

Babauta was Fitial’s opponent during the past two gubernatorial elections. Fitial later made Babauta one of his special advisers under a $1-a-year contract.

On the other hand, Tenorio said he does not doubt that Fitial’s relationship with members of the Republican National Committee will help advance the CNMI and the party’s interests in the nation’s capital. Tenorio was the president when Fitial was re-accepted into the GOP in January. Tenorio quit the party and politics in July.

Of all Republican lawmakers, only Senate Vice President Jude Hofschneider (R-Tinian) was invited to the Saturday meeting.

Rep. Joseph Palacios (R-Saipan) said yesterday he’s surprised when he read in the news that there was a Saturday meeting.

“They knew where to find me and the other lawmakers. …I was wondering whether I was ousted from the party. They should have at least given us the courtesy to be informed about the meeting and the changes to the bylaws,” said Palacios, a long-time Republican.

Palacios said he is leaning toward not seeking re-election, when asked whether he would still run under the Republican Party.

Rep. Ray Yumul (R-Saipan) and Sen. Ralph Torres (R-Saipan) also said they were not aware of the Republican meeting during the weekend and the changes to the bylaws.

Rep. Stanley Torres (Ind-Saipan) said yesterday he has not considered rejoining the Republican Party just because Fitial is now its president.

Fitial founded and headed the CNMI Republican Party until he formed his own Covenant Party for his gubernatorial bids in 2001 and 2005. Babauta ran against Fitial in these two elections. Fitial was re-accepted to the Republican Party early this year, and called on other Covenant Party members to follow him. Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos and other Covenant members remain with the Covenant Party.