Babauta, Heinz sign ‘unity’ accord; ready for primary

In the presence of key officials and members of the local Republican Party, gubernatorial bets Heinz Hofschneider and Juan N. Babauta yesterday signed an agreement affirming their commitment to give full support to whoever wins in the primary polls next month.

The local GOP hopes that the accord will put to rest speculations that the losing team may end up running as independent contenders.

Along with their respective running mates, Arnold I. Palacios and Galvin Deleon Guerrero, both camps were also presented the official ballot for the June 27 election.

GOP chair Ed Tenorio showed the ballot bearing the signatures of all four candidates, who pledged their commitment to “rally and support” the winning candidates in the primary election.

Via a coin toss, the names of Hofschneider and Palacios were assigned to the left side of the ballot, while Babauta and Deleon Guerrero were assigned to the right.

The GOP hopes the result of the June 27 primary will boost the party’s chances in the November gubernatorial election.

Tenorio, during a joint caucus at Hafadai Beach Hotel yesterday, disclosed that it took the participants nearly two months to complete the “process” where a committee—composed of six key members each from both camps—was formed.

Guidelines and procedures for the primary polls were also formulated.

“We’re almost there. We just need to clarify some of the sections [of the guidelines],” Tenorio said.

He said the party has no official platform yet as this would only be discussed once the results of the primary are known.

“We haven’t seen any platforms of each camp. At this time, the GOP is focused on the success of the primary election,” Tenorio said.

‘Let there be no doubt’

Although they haven’t seen each other’s platform yet, Hofschneider believes that both have no major differences as they are both focused on what is good for the CNMI and its people.

“The GOP believes in the platform for the people. To sum it up, we’re dealing with the same issues [and] same problems,” Hofschneider said.

Babauta said “adjustments” can be made in the platforms depending on the outcome of the primary election.

For him, some “conditions of this administration are unacceptable.”

To erase speculations and doubts on the sincerity of the two, Hofschneider and Babauta stood before the crowd, shook hands, and personally “vowed” to support whoever wins the primary.

“Let there be no doubt on the GOP. The only way to win this election is to pledge our support…and I am saying now that I and my family will give 100 percent support to John [Babauta] if he ever wins the primary. We’re doing this for the people…and that’s the only reason why we’re running in the first place,” Hofschneider said.

Babauta responded by pledging the same.

“I met Heinz on a couple of occasions and we talked about unity, about reuniting in this gubernatorial election. If ever he wins, I pledge to give my support. This is advancing the GOP,” he said.

Both camps also vowed to ask their supporters to go out and vote for their chosen GOP candidates.