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Janet Maratita declares senatorial candidacy
Rep. Janet Maratita (Ind-Saipan), right, waves at passing motorists in front of Konbetsa Kafe in Dandan yesterday afternoon, shortly after declaring her candidacy for a Senate seat representing Saipan this November election. Also in photo is Jack Palacios, center, chairman of the Committee to Elect Janet Maratita as Senator. (Haidee V. Eugenio)
Rep. Janet Maratita (Ind-Saipan) declared yesterday her intention to run for a Senate seat representing Saipan in the November elections, becoming the fourth to declare a candidacy for the post since the start of the year. She made the announcement in the presence of her family, friends, and supporters at the Konbetsa Cafe in Dandan at past 5pm yesterday.
Maratita, whose taxpayers’ lawsuit against then governor Benigno R. Fitial’s signing of a sole-sourced, $190-million power purchase agreement prevailed, said she will continue to be “a leader who stands for and with the people.”
The 52-year-old mother of five was one of the lawmakers who co-authored two House impeachment resolutions against Fitial; the second succeeded.
“Anti-corruption, bring back public confidence in government, ensure there’s justice and better quality [of life] for everyone,” said Maratita, who will run for a Senate seat as an independent.
After serving three terms as a member of the House of Representatives representing Precinct 1, Maratita said she’s ready to serve in another capacity but with the same dedication to “serve the public.”
“The people of Saipan need to be represented well in the Senate, with Senator [Pete] Reyes retiring and Senator [Ralph] Torres running for lieutenant governor…” she said. If successful, Maratita said she will accept the chairmanship of any committee, including health and education.
Jack Palacios is chairman of the Committee to Elect Janet Maratita as Senator. The team has gathered hundreds of petition signatures for Maratita’s candidacy.
Also present at Maratita’s announcement was Saipan mayoral candidate Ramon B. Camacho. The youth members of the Maratita campaign later did a road waving in front of Konbetsa Café.
Besides Maratita, the three other Saipan senatorial candidates are Department of Lands and Natural Resources Secretary Arnold I. Palacios and former Public Lands secretary/former House speaker Oscar M. Babauta, both from the Republican Party, and former representative Justo Quitugua, also an independent.
Rep. Janet Maratita (Ind-Saipan), right, waves at passing motorists in front of Konbetsa Kafe in Dandan yesterday afternoon, shortly after declaring her candidacy for a Senate seat representing Saipan this November election. Also in photo is Jack Palacios, center, chairman of the Committee to Elect Janet Maratita as Senator. (Haidee V. Eugenio)
