Newcomers, veterans grab seats in Legislature

When the House of Representatives inaugurates the 12th Legislature next January, half of 18 seats will be occupied by newcomers and veterans in the political arena.

Seven incumbents, six of whom are Republicans, lost their bids to seek fresh term during the Nov. 6 midterm polls, while two others did not run for re-election in the House.

The Senate will also have one new face with the defeat of incumbent Saipan Sen. Juan “Morgen”: P. Tenorio by former Commonwealth Utilities Corp. Executive Director Ramon “Kumoi” S. Guerrero, who ran under the Reform Party of ex-Gov. Froilan C. Tenorio.

House Majority Floor Leader Ana S. Teregeyo, who had previously expressed interest in seeking the Speaker’s post for the 12th Legislature, did not make it to the top six slots for Precinct 1.

Representatives Karl T. Reyes, Manuel A. Tenorio, Herman T. Palacios also failed to sway voters to give them the vote of confidence for another two-year term.

Rep. Melvin Faisao and Democrat Rep. Max “Timmo” L. Olopai did not muster enough votes to land in the six slots for Precinct 3, while Rep. Frank G. Cepeda ended his reelection bid on a sad note.

Tinian Rep. Jose A. Hocog, who ran for the senatorial race under the GOP, lost to incumbent Sen. David M. Cing of the Tinian Democratic Party.

Only Rep. Benet Seman, a Republican who will end her first two years in office come January 2000, did not seek a new term.

Successfully winning fresh mandate from the electorate, nine incumbents in the House will join the newcomers, like retired Koblerville Elementary School principal Brigida Ichihara, and veterans, including former House Speaker Benigno R. Fitial and ex-congressman Stanley Torres, two months from now.

In the upper house, Senate President Paul A. Manglona, aside from Cing, will return for another four-year term.

The stunning defeat of Morgen, brother of Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio, surprised most members of the GOP-dominated Senate. They, however, declined to comment.

But a businessman, who called up Tribune immediately after the election results came out, said the Morgen’s defeat is a reflection of the community’s frustration with the current administration over its handling of the economic affairs of the CNMI.

“There’s nothing wrong with Morgen. He’s good guy,” said the businessman, who refused to be named. “The result of the vote has nothing to do with him. He’s just a sacrificial lamb. People just want to send a message to the administration that they’re making it hard for the business community.”

Morgen is the author of the three-year stay limit law imposed on nonresident workers last March which requires aliens to leave the Commonwealth after three years and to remain outside the island for at least six months before seeking a new employment.

“The administration is killing the business instead of helping them. During times of economic crisis you have to help the people not make their life harder… This election is not surprising at all considering what the administration has been doing,” added the businessman.