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Frica backs Torres-Palacios
Former senator Maria Frica T. Pangelinan has thrown her support behind the gubernatorial tandem of Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and Senate President Arnold I. Palacios (R-Saipan), citing their type of leadership.
Pangelinan ran and won as a Democrat in the 2005 senatorial race where she topped the 3rd Senatorial District. She became the CNMI’s first female senator and served only one term, 15th Commonwealth Legislature, and chose not to run for reelection.
She thanked the CNMI for giving her the chance to serve as the first female senator and is encouraging all women in the CNMI to vote for the Torres-Palacios ticket.
Despite being a Democrat, Pangelinan said she is free to choose whom to support in the coming elections. “Just as the other Democrats have made their choices to go public and endorse individual candidates, I also announce my choice.”
She said the combined experience of both Torres and Palacios is the leadership that the CNMI needs. “Gov. Torres and Sen. Palacios have long served the CNMI people. Both have years of experience in government.”
“They have the insight and knowledge to continue to shape the future of our Commonwealth. We need to keep them in office. They acknowledge our concerns for the future. They understand the needs of our business community.”
Pangelinan said Torres and the Legislature’s efforts managed to reduce the financial obligations that hounded the CNMI government, like the NMI Retirement Fund. [They] made it possible for our retirees to receive their 100 percent pension benefit.”
“He [Torres] had to make tough decisions to get our CNMI government out of financial crisis to fund the retirement obligations.”
She added that the government retirees should keep this in mind when they vote on Nov. 6. “Gov. Torres made your 100 percent payment pension possible.”
Pangelinan said the administration managed to reduce the deficit, reduced long-term obligations, and judgment payments are being made.
“Overall, the government’s financial state today shows that Gov. Torres is the more effective steward of our government’s funds. …Let’s congratulate Gov. Torres for his efforts to revive our economy and manage our growth successfully.”
