Cing suspends campaign amid allegations vs brother

Former senator David Cing has suspended his campaign for congressional delegate following allegations of conflict of interest against his brother.

Cing last night skipped a forum initiated by the Saipan Chamber of Commerce for the candidates for delegate. Cing said he “cannot face the people” until his family’s name has been cleared.

The Taotao Tano citizen group has alleged that Cing’s brother, Raynaldo Cing, improperly received a 1.5-hectare agricultural homestead lot with the help of Raynaldo’s brother in law, Public Lands Secretary John S. DelRosario. The accusation arose after a recent Senate public hearing on public land issues.

In an interview yesterday, Cing said the accusation, although aimed at his brother, extends to him and the rest of his family. “We are the only Cings here, so any allegation against any member of our family hurts us all,” he said.

He added that he will not conduct any political activities until the Senate completes an investigation.

“It’s useless for me to be telling the people of the Commonwealth how I think our problems should be fixed, if I have a problem in my own home. So I am demanding the Senate to get to the bottom of this as soon as possible,” said Cing, who is one of the nine candidates running to become the Commonwealth’s first ever delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives. The election is on Nov. 4, 2008.

“If people are found guilty of committing any wrongdoing, they should be punished. But if they didn’t do anything wrong, we should do something fast so my name also can be cleared,” he added.

Taotao Tano claims to have documents showing that the former board of directors of the now defunct Marianas Public Lands Authority had approved a quitclaim deed for a one-hectare homestead lot for Raynaldo. The MPLA board never adopted the minutes of the meeting, where this action was taken.

On March 8, 2007, DPL Secretary John S. DelRosario allegedly approved a short conveyance claim for an additional 1.5 hectares of homestead lot. Raynaldo was granted the additional land even though the certificate of compliance issued him in 1998 stated that only one hectare should be issued a quitclaim deed.

The Senate Committee on Resources, Economic Development and Programs, led by Sen. Jude Hofschneider, is expected to conduct a follow up hearing on DPL matters this week.