Manglona keeping his options open

Rota Mayor Benjamin T. Manglona remains undecided whether or not to run for a different position after his last mayoral term ends next year.

In an interview yesterday, Manglona expressed regret that the Constitution allows elected government officials to serve in a position for two consecutive terms only.

“I would sure love to have that law amended, so I can run for another term. But I will leave it to the people of Rota to decide who they want to succeed me,” he said.

The mayor said he will wait for the right time before he will announce any plans for the November 2005 general elections, particularly on whether he will seek election in another position in government.

“I’m keeping my options one. I cannot say whether I’m running. But I’m also not saying ‘no.’ I’m just waiting until it’s closer to election time,” he said.

Manglona also refused to disclose whom he will be endorsing for Rota mayor and for standard bearer of the Republican Party, of which he is a member.

House minority leader Heinz Hofschneider and Rep. David M. Apatang have declared their intention to run for governor and lieutenant governor under the Republican Party in next year’s polls, challenging the reelection bid of incumbents Juan N. Babauta and Diego T. Benavente.

“I’m not ready to tell,” Manglona said.

At 66, Manglona is probably the longest-serving official in the CNMI government.

Born on March 31, 1938, Manglona started a career in public service at age 24, when he became a member of the Marianas District Legislature under the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands.

He was elected a member of the House of Representatives during the first election for the Congress of Micronesia in 1965, and held that position until 1970.

He served as member of the Congress of Micronesia Political Status Commission from 1969 to 1970, and later as negotiator for the Covenant between the United States and the Northern Marianas.

Manglona again joined the Marianas Islands District Legislature in 1975 before becoming a member of the CNMI Legislature starting 1978. He became Senate president 10 years later. In 1990, he was elected lieutenant governor to former Gov. Lorenzo I. Deleon Guerrero.

He assumed office as Rota mayor in 1998, and was re-elected for a second and last term in the November 2001 elections.

Manglona continues to serve as part of the Covenant Section 902 Consultations.