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Babauta says that he welcomes party primary
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Posted on Jan 25 2005
Gov. Juan N. Babauta said he welcomes the holding of a primary within the local Republican Party.
“Whatever the party decides, I’ll respect it. I’ve never been against having a primary,” Babauta told reporters yesterday.
The local GOP, chaired by Public Works Secretary John Reyes, earlier formed a panel to assess the credentials of its two gubernatorial candidates: Babauta and congressman Heinz S. Hofschneider amid calls for a party primary.
The committee, headed by congressman William “Lee” Torres, was given two weeks to come up with a recommendation, which may include a position as to whether the party needs to hold a primary or not.
The committee shall submit the report to the central committee, which is expected to meet tonight.
Babauta said yesterday that he trusts the party officials and would respect their decision on the matter.
Babauta and Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente had made public their re-election bid during the governor’s birthday party last September.
A few weeks later, partymate Hofschneider announced that he would also seek the highest elective post with independent congressman David Apatang as his running mate.
Party by-laws reportedly dictate that a primary must be held when there is more than one candidate.
