GOP cites a successful political rally on Rota

Republican Party described yesterday as “a success” its political rally held Sunday night on Rota.

“It’s a huge crowd! BB camp continues to pick up as election draws near,” said party chair John S. Reyes yesterday.

Rota Sen. Diego M. Songao, who is seeking re-election under the Republican Party, estimated the crowd at more than 800.

“To me, it’s really a successful event. That gathering last night was not even announced [in the media]. It surprised me to know that we had that number of crowd,” said Songao.

The senator predicts that GOP would corner at least 60 percent of the votes from Rota.

The GOP gathering was participated by Gov. Juan N. Babauta, Lt. Gov. Diego T. Benavente, and Washington Rep. Pete A. Tenorio.

The event began at about 6:30pm and lasted for about four hours. It was held at the Sinapalo basketball court.

In related news, Songao said he is not certain anymore about Vincent Calvo’s real political affiliation.

Calvo, who was reportedly on leave as Covenant Party Rota chairman, attended the GOP motorcade about two weeks ago and “expressed full support to Republican Party candidates.”

“It’s hard to tell if he’s Covenant or Republican. During the motorcade, he was with us and he was even interviewed saying he believes that Gov. Babauta is the only governor who will carry the CNMI up. So it surprised me that he also attended the Covenant rally last week,” said Songao yesterday.

He said Calvo was not at the GOP rally Sunday night.

Covenant Party vice chair Raymond Sablan, however, attended the Republican gathering, he said.

“He [Sablan] spoke last and he is supporting our candidates all the way,” Songao said.

Meantime, GOP chair Reyes clarified yesterday that the party’s hand waving event Friday across Kristo Rai church in Garapan gathered over 1,000 people, and not 400 as earlier reported.

“Several groups of people came. It’s not 400. The estimate was 1,500 but I lowered my estimate to 1,400,” said Reyes.

He described the Friday turnout as “three times bigger than prior campaigns.”

He said the party will hold a major motorcade on Sunday, Oct. 23, on Saipan beginning 10am, leading to Kilili Beach in Susupe.

On Nov. 3, he said that the party will hold its big final rally at the Fishing Base in Garapan.