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Tinian political pot starts to boil
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Posted on Mar 22 1999
The Republican Party on Tinian has endorsed the candidacy of Rep. Jose A. Hocog to the island’s senatorial seat to face deeply-entrenched politician, Sen. David M. Cing who is seeking reelection in the November midterm polls.
In a statement, the GOP has lashed out at Cing for his alleged failure to promote the interests of Tinian in the central government. The senator could not be reached despite efforts to seek his comment.
Republicans claimed Cing “is resorting to using every inch of his power as a senator in creating dissension within the Democratic Party, employing smear tactics against his critics, and threatening to eliminate the budgetary allocation for the continued employment of vocal opponents.”
No unified front
While the party has in the past formed an alliance with other political parties, officials said the forthcoming polls will not see any unified campaign to back a common candidate on Tinian.
There are three senators representing Tinian in the legislature, but Cing’s term ends in November, leaving one seat open for the November elections. Cing has kicked off his reelection early this year.
They also expressed opposition against Cing’s candidacy, saying his eight years in office has “made more news headlines than contribution for the people of Tinian.”
‘Personal gain’
The statement said that the incumbent senator has done “more for himself than the people he’s supposed to represent,” accusing him of using his office “as a trading point to eliminate any opposition and compromise issues for his political and personal gain.”
In supporting Hocog, a Democrat who is currently serving Tinian’s representative to the House, the Republicans claimed he would be the best candidate for the island who is “not self-serving and willing to spend more time to the affairs of our people.”
Meanwhile, the GOP has also thrown its support behind Councilman Henry H. San Nicolas as its official candidate to the lone lower house seat, while backing candidates on Rota, such as Senate President Paul A. Manglona who is also seeking reelection this November.
