Only 4 senator bets attend forum

Much to the chagrin of the audience, only four of the 10 Saipan candidates for the Senate in the upcoming Nov. 4 elections showed up for the Saipan Chamber of Commerce-sponsored forum Wednesday night at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe.

Chamber executive director Jill Arenovski said the four—the CNMI Republican Party’s Oscar Babauta, Arnold Palacios, and Sixto Igisomar and independent candidate Stephen Woodruff—were the only ones who confirmed their attendance at the forum.

The 2014 Saipan Chamber of Commerce Senate forum held on Oct. 15 at the Multi-Purpose Center invited people to hear the views of candidates on what they will do for the community. From left to right: Oscar Babauta, Arnold Palacios, Steve Woodruff, and Sixto Igisomar. (Jayson Camacho)

Babaut, Palacios, and Woodruff are running in the regular senatorial race, while Igisomar is angling for the post vacated by now lieutenant governor candidate Ray Yumul.

Arenovski said the six other candidates for senator—independents Justo Quitugua, Illuminada Bermudes, Rep. Janet Maratita (Ind-Saipan), Jesus Castro, and Roy Rios, and Democratic Party candidate Jesus Taisague—begged off from the forum because they were either off-island or only want to speak in the vernacular.

Save for Rios and Castro who are running in the special elections, the other six are running in the regular senatorial election.

GOP and me

The four Republic Party candidates and Woodruff, however, more than made up for the low turnout of candidates. They were asked five questions submitted days before the forum and randomly picked by forum moderator Bob Coldeen.

They were given three minutes to give their 2 cents worth on the issue and another minute for rebuttal if needed.

The first question revolved around the high cost of utilities in the CNMI. Veteran lawmakers Babauta and Palacios both agreed that the islands’ best bet in lowering its utility rates is for the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. to explore the use of alternative energy sources like geothermal, waste-to-energy, and liquid natural gas.

Igisomar touted how the CNMI government’s recent deal with Saipan casino licensee, Best Sunshine International Ltd., has provided $10 million in utility vouchers to residential customers.

Woodruff took issue with Igisomar’s “massaging the casino industry” comment and said the CNMI should take lessons from the “failed garment industry.”

On the question of extending land leases under Article 11, all four candidates agreed that it should be amended and land leases extended from the current 40 years to 75 and even 99 years.

Palacios cited the years-old back-and-forth between the Department of Public Lands and Marianas Public Land Trust on the issue of land lease revenues and said it needs to be resolved.

Woodruff brought up the subject of Mariana Resort & Spa’s expiring Marpi land lease and said “we need to reward rather than punish” longtime businesses on the islands.

On the unreliability of interisland air service, Woodruff posed more questions than answers like if the local economy can actually support more than one carrier. He also reminisced about the bygone days of Continental Airlines and Air Mike.

Igisomar, for his part, championed consumer advocacy and challenged the riding public to demand better service by complaining and writing letters or emailing the proper authorities.

Babauta, meanwhile, said he understands the complex problems of running an airline in a small market, having worked in the industry for 15 years. Palacios thanked Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan for taking up the issue with United Airlines executives in the mainland.

Palacios made an argument that failing to plan is planning to fail when asked what piece of legislation he will introduce first if he is elected senator.

He said the Executive and Legislative branches should adopt five- and 10-year plans so that the CNMI government can strategize for the future. This will involve plans for tourism, infrastructure, education, and the environment, among others.

Babauta said he will look to review all the laws that have been passed since the 1st Legislature and see what works and what no longer works. He also hinted at a surprise bill he would introduce if he wins.

Igisomar said the first bill he will work on is for revenue generation and that he will help provide funds to entrepreneurs by opening an office for the Small Business Development Center.

Woodruf said his first act if he becomes senator is poll all lawmakers and get a consensus on what needs to be done. He also wants a review of the islands’ tax code and make it simpler so the underground economy will be legalized.

The funniest quip of the evening belonged to Igisomar when asked about the Saipan casino law and whether it is fair to the CNMI.

“I can’t comment on an agreement I signed,” he said, drawing muffled laughter from the audience.

He, however, said he doesn’t need to defend the law and people just need to read the agreement between the CNMI Lottery Commission and Best Sunshine. Igisomar was the chair of the CNMI Lottery Commission that awarded the exclusive casino license to Best Sunshine.

Woodruff said, “On paper it looks good but we need to guard against it” since the casino law still leaves a lot of questions.

Babauta said if he has had any regrets during his long and distinguished career as a lawmaker, it is that he wasn’t part of the process that gave birth to the casino law.

Palacios said the casino law is just what the doctor ordered for the Commonwealth. He is also glad that Best Sunshine didn’t ask for a qualifying certificate and sees the casino industry as having potential.

Chamber president Alex Sablan said proceeds from the forum will go to the organization’s Educational Scholarship Fund, which every year provides $12,000 to college-bound high school seniors.

Next up for the Chamber is the gubernatorial forum on Oct. 27. Last night’s delegate forum was cancelled after both Andrew Salas and Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan begged off from attending. The former is planning to fly to Boise, Idaho, to look for his missing brother, Joe, while the latter didn’t want to go to a forum with an empty chair beside him.