Tebuteb ready to lead minority at House

Rep. Ramon A. Tebuteb (Ind-Saipan) is ready to lead his nine-member minority bloc at the House of Representatives.

“We already have a general understanding on the plan because each member is unique in his own profession. They have their own identity and their own goals and agenda that would be beneficial our people,” he said.

The precinct 3 lawmaker said that, contrary to public perception, he and his minority bloc are also ready to work not only with the new majority at the House as well as the Senate but also with the administration of Gov. Ely S. Inos and Lt. Gov. Ralph DLG. Torres.

“We have to. We have to. We have to work with the majority and everybody including the Senate and the Executive Branch. It has become a policy issue because what is the biggest issue now in our Commonwealth?”

He went on to say that the Legislature, Executive Branch, the Judiciary, and the entire Commonwealth should all band together now to solve the islands’ biggest issues.

“The foundations of a government are public services—safety, health, and education. There’s always the economy but if you don’t take care of the foundations then what will happen to the economy because it’s part of it,” he said.

The de facto leader of the House minority said one way of diffusing conflict is by trying to put oneself in the shoes of the person with an opposing view.

“We fairly laid it down on the table as a group and if there are differences, we make sure we handle that and understand that. If you’re reluctant to support that, it is important to see yourself on the other’s shoes. With that you can have a fair idea of the opposing view and by then you can have a compromise.”

Tebuteb also is resigned to the fact that he may yield the chairmanship of the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation in the 19th Legislature. He said he’s also not surprised that Sen. Justo Quitugua (Ind-Saipan) opted to join the majority in the SNILD.

“[Rep. John Paul Sablan] has the numbers and we’ll let the process go through. I’m not surprised that Justo has committed to J.P. I have great respect for the senator and I respect his decision.”

The 19th Legislature was sworn in last Jan. 12 with Tebuteb and his group at the outside looking in, as a bloc composed of seven NMI Republican Party representatives led by now vice speaker Ralph Demapan (R-Saipan) and four independents led by Speaker Joseph P. Deleon Guerrero formed a majority coalition.

Joining Tebuteb in the minority at the House are Reps. Edmund Villagomez (Ind-Saipan), Ralph N. Yumul (Ind-Saipan), Anthony T. Benavente (Ind-Saipan), Roman Benavente (Ind-Saipan), Larry Deleon Guerrero (Ind-Saipan), Edwin Propst (Ind-Saipan), Vinson Sablan (Ind-Saipan), and Blas Jonathan “B.J.” Attao (Ind-Saipan).

The SNILD has set its organizational meeting this Friday, Jan. 23, 10am at the House chamber.