Democrats, Reform may form coalition • Sen. Guerrero says two parties can beat Republicans

The Democrats and the Reform Party must join forces if they want to ensure their victory over the Republicans in next year’s general elections, according to Sen. Ramon S. Guerrero.

He said, however, there has yet a formal move to form a coalition between the two parties, although he has broached the idea to Reform Party leaders and even to former Lt. Gov. Jesus C. Borja who is seeking the nomination by the Democrats for the November 2001 gubernatorial race.

“In order for me to see a good 2001 election, I would like to see the Reform and the Democrats to come together as one,” Mr. Guerrero told reporters yesterday in an interview.

The senator, who beat a Republican bet, then incumbent Sen. Juan P. Tenorio, in the two-way fight for the lone Saipan seat in the last November polls under the Reform Party, underscored the need to field a joint slate of candidates next year to face the GOP aspirants.

“I am hoping that if we can do that, it will be an advantage and it’s going to be a better slate for 2001 and the possibility of winning this election [is high],” he said.

Mr. Guerrero, however, disclosed that he is not about to throw his support behind Mr. Borja or former Gov. Froilan C. Tenorio who has announced his intention to become the Reform Party’s standard bearer in the gubernatorial election.

He noted that it is “too early” to back any candidate at this time, adding that he prefers instead for the two parties to band together between now and before the campaign heats up.

Former Gov. Carlos Camacho, chair of the Democratic Party, declined comment when asked if he supports the idea, saying only that he is not aware of any talks of coalition with the Reform Party.

Mr. Borja, who ran as independent and lost in the 1997 gubernatorial election to Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio, is in Hawaii, attending the graduation of his daughter.

Mr. Guerrero, who said he “gave birth” to the Reform Party and is the “creator” and “father” of the organization, stressed the coalition could become a powerful force if one of GOP’s gubernatorial hopefuls eventually decides to run as independent after losing in the primary.

Lt. Gov. Jesus R. Sablan and running mate Senate Vice President Thomas P. Villagomez will face the team of Resident Representative to Washington Juan N. Babauta and Rep. Diego T. Benavente in the primary which will be held either late this year or early next year.

“That’s the only way of winning in this election,” said Mr. Guerrero.

On the plan by former Gov. Froilan C. Tenorio to pick a running mate from the Democrats, the Reform Party stalwart said it is a “wrong” move since it may alienate those within the party, while courting ire from the Democrats. “At the end it’s not going to work,” he said.