‘Disgruntled GOP members welcome to join Democrats’

Disgruntled CNMI Republican Party members are welcome to join the CNMI Democratic Party, according to former lieutenant governor Jesus Borja.

Borja, who is the party’s acting chair, said “[he] would look seriously into taking that opportunity to try and get members from those disgruntled people and welcome them to our party if they wish to join us in our ideals for what we feel is good for the people of the Commonwealth.”

Rep. Ramon Tebuteb (R-Saipan) came out publicly last week saying he and other Republican Party members view the July 8 GOP general membership meeting and subsequent election as a “hostile takeover under the guise of a merger or transition.”

Borja, however, said that former GOP members—or for that matter any person—applying to become a member of the Democratic Party must still undergo the party’s usual process of becoming a member.

“The board will have to discuss it and arrive at an agreement amongst themselves and present it also to the general membership,” he said.

Borja said the local Democratic Party is currently undergoing reorganization, but begged off from discussing any further plans because “I’m just an acting chairman.”

“We’re going to soon have an organizational meeting where we are going to come up with all our officers and then the officers will then take off from that and move forward and start looking for candidates for the next election.”

Borja said it is important to have a strong local Democratic Party, especially now that the lines between the local GOP and Covenant parties appear to have become blurred.

“We need to have some checks and balances so the people are protected in a sense that no one particular party or group of people is dominating our government. I’d like to see that different views are presented to the people and let the people decide,” he said.

Asked if he is ready to lead a revitalized Democratic Party, Borja modestly replied: “I’m only the acting chair. I don’t know if I will continue to be the chair but I will continue to assist.”

Tebuteb last week wrote to former CNMI Republican Party president Juan I. Tenorio, saying he does not recognize newly elected CNMI GOP president Juan N. Babauta.

He also labeled as “unofficial” the general membership meeting and subsequent GOP election held on July 8 at the Garapan Central Park.

Tenorio, however, distanced himself from the issue and told Saipan Tribune to tell Tebuteb that he has already quit politics. “If he’s not satisfied [with the election] he can write to the new chairman,” Tenorio said.