Big spenders in ’05 polls

Newly installed Gov. Benigno R. Fitial and Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Villagomez were the top fundraisers and also the biggest spenders in the last election.

The winning team in the Nov. 5, 2005 election raised a total of $333,655.54 for their campaign and spent $336,621.89, according to a summary of candidates’ campaign statements of accounts issued by the Commonwealth Election Commission.

Fitial and Villagomez’s campaign posted a deficit of $2,966.35.

The second top spender was the gubernatorial team of former governor Juan N. Babauta and lt. governor Diego T. Benavente. The Republicans, who failed to secure a re-election, compiled a campaign war chest amounting to $312,822 and spent $313,273.14.

Heinz S. Hofschneider and David M. Apatang ranked third on the spenders’ list. The independent gubernatorial team raised $247,629.85 and spent $247,689.89.

According to CEC executive director Gregorio Sablan, the figures reflect only what the candidates have reported. They have not gone through any review to determine accuracy of reporting or record keeping.

The Republican Party collected $148,155.48 in political contributions and spent $147,723.19.

The Covenant Party doled out $97,613.79 of the $167,109.83 the organization raised to help the candidacy of its members.

The Democratic Party, as well as former governor Froilan C. Tenorio and his running mate Antonio A. Santos, had yet to file a campaign finance report as of Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2006.

The Democratic Party had not requested an extension to the original Dec. 27, 2005 deadline. Tenorio and Santos had been given until Jan. 11 to comply with the requirement.

Contributions to the Washington Rep. Pedro A. Tenorio’s successful re-election bid totaled $48,869.33. Tenorio, who expended the same amount for his campaign, outspent his sole opponent Juan S. Demapan by $40,364.60.

Former Commerce Secretary Andrew Salas reported the biggest balance among the 2005 candidates. The Election Commission document showed that he spent none of the $59,154.05 campaign contributions he received.

Tinian Mayor-elect Jose P. San Nicolas incurred the biggest deficit, amounting to $44.942.19. San Nicolas, who beat former Senate President Joaquin Adriano for the top municipal post, raised only $8,827 but spent $53,769.19.

Defeated Rota mayoral candidate Vicente M. Atalig showed up as the fourth top fundraiser and spender. His campaign fetched $55,354.81 in political contributions; it cost a total of $55,056.72.

Other top spenders are Saipan Mayor Juan B. Tudela, $47,310; former senator Diego M. Songao $43,575.73; Rota Mayor Joseph S. Inos, $32,168; former Rep. Claudio K. Norita, $27,801.40; defeated Saipan mayor candidate Frank G. Cepeda, $27,302.83; reelected Sen. Pete P. Reyes, $27,111.35; Sen. Felix T. Mendiola, $25,262.38; Rep. Jacinta M. Kaipat, $25,118.33; Senate President Joseph M. Mendiola, $22,535.49; Rep. Crispin M. Ogo, $21,706.77; and Sen. Paterno S. Hocog, $21,538.43.

Besides Andrew Salas, candidates who reported no expenditures were Don Allen Farrell, Charlene M. Lizama, and Antonia M. Tudela.

Those who reported having received no political contributions were Farrell, Concepcion M. Manglona, Norbert H. Mundo, Norman S. Palacios, Antonia M. Tudela, Francisco C. Tudela, and David A. Wiseman.

As of Wednesday, the Tenorio-Santos team and nine other candidates had not yet filed their campaign statements of account.

David K. Peter, Remedio L. Seman, and Julian T. Taimanao have been assessed since Dec. 27 a fine of $100 for each day that they fail to submit their campaign finance report.

Edward Salas, Francisco S. Dela Cruz, Melvin Lawrence O. Faisao, James A. Ada, Victor B. Hocog, Henry K. Rabauliman all failed to meet the extended deadline given them.