It came down to track records

Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, left, delivers his opening remarks while former governor Juan N. Babauta listens in last night’s hourlong CNMI Gubernatorial Debate at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center. (Jon Perez)

Sparks flew last night as Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and challenger Juan N. Babauta squared off in a gubernatorial debate last night at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center.

Families, friends, and supporters of both candidates either watched the event live at the Multi-Purpose Center or online through the Facebook page of the Northern Marianas College.

In an event moderated by Lannie Walker of the KSPN TV station, both candidates responded to questions on topics that ranged from the environment and sustainable development, to immigration, healthcare, casino gaming, welfare, and the workforce.

Torres, the incumbent and standard-bearer of the CNMI Republican Party, was the first to speak by virtue of the coin toss made in the presence of the organizers and the representatives of both candidates.

His first shot quickly focused on Babauta’s track record as the former CNMI chief executive—as a one-term governor from 2002 to 2006—and chief executive officer of the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp.

He likened the election to someone who would visit your house where you must know the person’s background and record. “Here in this election, voters are lucky. To all that call the CNMI your home, you have two candidates who have dealt with the retirement fund, workforce, deficit, and the economy.”

“You have seen leadership, the progress or regress. You don’t have blank faces. Over the next hour, I’m sure my opponent will attack my record, a concept I gladly embrace. I also ask that he stands by his record as former governor and CEO of the hospital, and that he doesn’t run away from that record.”

Torres, who is running with Senate President Arnold Palacios (R-Saipan) as his lieutenant governor, detailed some of his administration’s accomplishments, highlighting the work they had done in helping the NMI Retirement Fund. “As your governor working with the Republican leadership, we have paid the Retirement Fund 100 percent of all obligations amounting to over $150 million, protecting our retirees and their families,” he said.

“A progress even my opponent cannot disclaim. In fact my opponent’s administration failed to pay $42 million in retirement contribution. Many employees were forced to withdraw their retirement pension. Today we have zero deficit, my opponent in one term encumbered $74 million in total deficit spending,” he added.

He said his critics took issue with his youth, saying and that he lacks the experience to lead the CNMI.

Yet, despite this, Torres said, his administration just continued working. “We are busy making improvements. I will continue to make tough decisions that will help all islands even if it is unpopular.”

“Look around, we continue to diversify our economy: our gaming industry and recently I signed a cannabis bill. We have increased the U.S. citizen workforce by 27 percent. We have also diverted our resources to the most vulnerable members of the community—the substance abuse program with the HOPE Center, we opened up the drug program, and Drug Court to help with rehabilitation and not just punishment. We now allowed high school diploma holders to receive scholarship for trades school.”

He closed his opening statement with: “Do not let him ran away from his record as we proudly stand by our record.”

Babauta, who is an independent candidate running with Rita Sablan as his lieutenant governor, said that running for public office should be for the greater good and service must come from the heart. “When a person seeks public office, there must be a compelling reason to do so. To some, the desire to serve is the highest order. It is a calling for the greater good. Recognizing the desire to serve and must come from the heart. Keeping it to heart.”

He said the last four years of the Inos-Torres administration have forfeited the public’s trust in CNMI leaders. Torres was the lieutenant governor of the late governor Eloy S. Inos when they won the 2014 election; the former took over the reins of government after Inos died in late 2015.

“The events of the last four years once again cast a sinister view of our government. It is not a government at its best. It has eroded public confidence and cast a dark cloud over the integrity of many who are supposed to be in positions of public trust,” said Babauta in his opening statement.

He cited some problems, especially relating to the multi-billion dollar casino-hotel project of Imperial Pacific International (CNMI) LLC. “Workers are being exploited. Workers die at worksites without explanation. And no one is being held responsible. Workers are unjustly compensated and silenced by flying them out of the CNMI in the middle of the night.”

Babauta said that problems brought the construction of Imperial Pacific Resort could somehow affect the CNMI’s relationship with the federal government. “This will place the visa waiver program in jeopardy and we want to prevent that from happening.”

He added that not all of the CNMI’s problems have been addressed. “In our local community, sadly, far too many are suffering. Sixty percent remain at the poverty income level, with 14,000 with little or no personal household income. Forty-five percent of our population is uninsured and can’t even pay the deductibles.”

“It can be concluded that the wealth is in the hands of the few. This is not the CNMI I envisioned when we became U.S. citizens in 1986. I want to keep the vision of the Covenant alive. A progressively higher standard of living and quality of life.”

Last night’s event was staged by the Saipan Chamber of Commerce, in cooperation with telecommunication’s firm IT&E, and NMC. It was intended to raise funds for the Chamber.

The general election itself will take place on Nov. 6.