GOP, Covenant on even footing in Legislature

Both the Republican Party and Covenant Party are in the same footing as far as membership in the Legislature is concerned.

Based on the current standing, GOP and the Covenant Party would have 10 members each.

Both are expected to increase to 12 each if their old allies who ran outside their parties, mostly as independents, join them back.

The Republican Party has 10 members but it would increase to 12 if Sen. Pete P. Reyes and congressman-elect Stanley Torres re-align with them.

Both Reyes and Torres ran as independent candidates in this year’s elections but they consider themselves Republicans.

The Covenant Party would also rise to 12 if reelection congressman Ray N. Yumul and Democractic Party’s Justo Quitugua keep their alliances with the party.

Yumul was officially under the Covenant Party but he changed to an independent, given his active military status right now.

Quitugua is currently aligned with the Covenant Party in the House.

Based on the election results, there will be three GOP members in the Senate, four including Reyes, and seven House members, or eight including Torres.

The Covenant Party will have three members in the Senate and seven in the House.

The Democratic Party has four members: two at the Senate and two at the House.

SAIPAN SENATORS

Based on the final results, Maria Frica Pangelinan of the Democratic Party and re-election candidate Pete P. Reyes won the Senate seats for Saipan.

Pangelinan received 3,946 votes while Reyes got 4,416.

Those who did not make it to the Senate are Claudio Norita, 4,321 votes; Thomas Villagomez, 2,826; Andrew Salas, 2,727; and Joaquin Quitugua, 973.

The senators-elect will be joining incumbent Sen. Luis P. Crisostimo of the Democratic Party.

TINIAN SENATORS

Tinian senator Joseph M. Mendiola of the Covenant Party kept his post, with 583 votes.

Also representing the island is newcomer Jude Hofschneider of the Republican Party, with 550.

Failing to make it to the upper chamber are: Ramon Dela Cruz, with 533 votes and Joaquin Borja with 512.

The winning senators will be joining incumbent Tinian senator Henry S. San Nicolas of Covenant Party.

ROTA SENATORS

Incumbent Rota senator Paterno Hocog of the Republican Party will keep his post after winning second with 605 votes.

Topping the Senate race on Rota is newcomer Felix Mendiola of the Covenant Party with 634 votes.

The two will join Republican senator Paul Manglona.

Meantime, re-election senator Diego Songao received only 550 votes, not enough to remain in his position,

Others who failed to get elected to the Senate were Eusebio Hocog, with 201 votes, and Norbert Mundo, with 95 votes.

In the House of Representatives, the Republican Party dominates Precinct 1 with four members making it to the top four of six slots.

They are Reps. Joseph Deleon Guerrero, 2,357; Benjamin Seman, 2,233; Martin Ada, 2,209; and former congressman Manuel A. Tenorio, 2,064.

The two other winners are Florencio “Bobby Pan” Deleon Guerrero of the Democratic Party, with 1,979; and newcomer Cinta Kaipat of the Covenant Party with 1,891.

Winners from Precinct 2 are re-electionist Covenant Party congressmen Oscar M. Babauta, with 600 votes, and Jesus Lizama, with 463.

From Precinct 3, Republican congressman Arnold I. Palacios topped the race with 1,443 votes, followed by Yumul with 1,220; GOP Rep. Ramon Tebuteb with 1,214; Francisco Dela Cruz of the Covenant Party with 1,147; Stanley Torres with 1,045; and newcomer Absalon Waki Jr. of the Covenant Party with 1,029.

Precinct 4 congressman Justo S. Quitugua of the Democratic Party retained his post with 1,409 votes. Also representing the precinct is Candido B. Taman of the Republican Party with 836 votes.