House speakership still up for grabs

With just three days to go before the 19th House of Representatives opens shop, none of the three contenders for the post of speaker have attained the 11 majority votes needed to become the next leader of the lower chamber.

House Speaker Joseph P. Deleon Guerrero (Ind-Saipan) said the impasse just goes to show that he, floor leader Rafael Demapan (R-Saipan), and Rep. Ramon Tebuteb (Ind-Saipan) have an overwhelming passion to serve as the speaker of the next House.

“I guess the three individuals remain steadfast is their trying to secure the speakership. It may come to the last day or inauguration day. If it comes down to inauguration day, then there will be a speaker, a new speaker,” he said.

Demapan said he continues to communicate with returning and incoming members, telling them that he still wishes to be speaker if they want him to lead them.

“Talks are still ongoing. Perhaps I can simply say that we’re closer in resolving this issue. Personally, I would like to settle this issue before we get to inauguration. We’re all hoping for a smooth inauguration so our families and friends can come and witness the organization of the House. I hope we don’t go that far as it’s a momentous day for all of us. I’ve been communicating with members, members from both [camps]. Again, talks are still ongoing and perhaps before the inauguration we would be able to settle the issue. If not, we just have to deal with it on the inauguration day.”

Deleon Guerrero said it would be to the advantage of the House to already select a speaker before Monday’s inauguration of the Legislature.

“If not, it will have to be worked out. We cannot conduct our business without a speaker. We can with just a speaker pro tem but there will be no leadership and a leadership is needed so that committee chairmen can be appointed, so that work can be done, so we can introduce bills and refer bills to committees. That’s the importance of having a leadership.”

“There will be some concessions, if not on inauguration day probably shortly after. I don’t rule out the possibility of something happening before. It could still happen and it happened. We’ll see. I have not been approached. I don’t know about the other two are approaching each other,” added Deleon Guerrero.

He said he already talked to Demapan and Tebuteb about the possibility of him serving as speaker pro tem and Demapan acting as floor pro tem for the House inauguration.

“I did talk to the two gentlemen—House floor leader Rafael Demapan and SNILD chair Ramon Tebuteb—and asked them if they have any problems of me becoming speaker pro tem for inauguration. I also asked that the floor leader pro temp for inauguration as well so we can have some order during inauguration and not have some kind of [power] struggle on that day. I asked the members also during the last session. We have a memo we want the Legislative Bureau director to circulate. Members can sign it if they agree to have me as speaker pro tem and the floor leader as the floor leader pro tem for inauguration day. We need 11 signatures I haven’t seen it and I haven’t signed in. The LB would also be giving the memo to incoming members as well.”

If elected speaker, Demapan said he will make sure that the House would work closely with the Senate and the incoming administration of governor-elect Eloy S. Inos and lieutenant governor-elect Ralph DLG Torres.

“I still hope and I ask my colleagues to believe in me as their next speaker and as speaker I will do my very best to make sure we work closely with the Senate and with the administration to make sure that we do have legislation that works for our Commonwealth and especially for our people.”

He also said the House is best suited if there’s a super majority where everyone is allied.

“We shouldn’t have a minority at all and have a super majority so we’ll have an easier…a better direction in addressing issues.”

Rep. Ramon Tebuteb, who is chair of the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation, declined to comment.

Saipan Tribune earlier reported that Tebuteb can expect to garner the support of nine independents, among them Reps. Edmund Villagomez, Ralph N. Yumul, Anthony T. Benavente, Roman Benavente, Larry Deleon Guerrero, and incoming representatives Edwin Propst, Vinson Sablan, and Blas Jonathan “B.J.” Attao.

Deleon Guerrero, meanwhile, is said to be counting on the votes of Rep. Anthony P. Sablan (Ind-Saipan) and freshmen lawmakers Edwin Aldan of Tinian and Francis Taimanao of Saipan.

Demapan can count on the seven NMI Republican Party lawmakers elected to the 19th House: Felicidad Ogumoro, John Paul P. Sablan, George Camacho, and newcomers Angel Demapan, Joseph “Leepan” T. Guerrero, and Glenn L. Maratita.