Pepero-Kiyu to run as independent candidates?

More than a hundred supporters of Pepero-Kiyu gathered Wednesday night at an undisclosed location on the island, prompting speculation the camp may be plotting a comeback in next year’s gubernatorial election.

According to sources who spoke on condition of anonymity, the group met with top officials of the campaign committee to discuss the possibility of the two running as independent candidates in the November 2001 polls.

Lt. Gov. Jesus R. Sablan is in Japan, while Senate Vice President Thomas P. Villagomez could not be reached for comment. His office said he had been in a meeting with other senators to tackle the budget the entire day.

But sources said the supporters aired their gripes about the way they are being treated by the Babauta-Benavente camp after the Republican primary.

Washington Rep. Juan N. Babauta and Rep. Diego T. Benavente won by a landslide in the Nov. 4 open primary to become the official GOP standard bearer in 2001.

There has been speculation that Pepero-Kiyu might run independently against their party-mates following their defeat, although both immediately threw their support behind the winning team.

Babauta-Benavente also have offered their hands to the other camp as a gesture of unity within GOP to ensure the victory of the ruling party next year.

A source privy to the meeting, however, disclosed several Pepero-Kiyu supporters have not felt they are welcome to join the other camp and are now disgruntled Republicans.

“Most of them are being harassed because they are currently working in the government,” the source said. “This early with twelve months to go before the gubernatorial election, they are being told their jobs will be occupied by Babauta-Benavente camp.”

According to another source, frustration among the Pepero-Kiyu supporters has crept in because the other camp knows who they supported in the primary.

“Mr. Sablan is still the lieutenant governor and Mr. Villagomez remains the Senate vice president, so I believe the other camp should wait next year to get elected into office first,” said the source.

If Pepero-Kiyu decides to run next year as independent, it could become a four-way gubernatorial race with Democrats’ bet former Lt. Gov. Jesus C. Borja and Reform Party stalwart former Gov. Froilan C. Tenorio completing the likely contenders.