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Majority in 22nd House a toss-up
Talks circulating Yumul will align with Democrats
The question of which bloc will be the majority in the coming 22nd House of Representatives next month will be a toss-up between the traditionally dominant Republican Party and a resurgent Democratic Party.
This developed as there is persistent talks that Rep. Ralph N. Yumul, who is identified with the Republican Party, is going to align himself with the Democratic Party, a move that will likely make the Democrats the new majority.
As of press time yesterday, Saipan Tribune was still waiting for Yumul to comment on the matter. It will be noted that he voted with the minority in a resolution during a House session last Tuesday.
At the last Nov. 3 general elections for the House race, eight Democrats, nine Republicans, and three independents won.
The victorious Democrats are Edwin K. Propst, Celina Babauta, Christina-Marie Elise Sablan, Denita Kaipat Yangetmai, Sheila Therese Jack Babauta, Leila Haveia Fleming Clark Staffler, Richard Tudela Lizama, and Vicente Castro Camacho.
The prevailing Republicans are Joseph Lee Pan Tenorio Guerrero, Roy Christopher Aldan Ada, Angel Demapan, John Paul Sablan, Blas Jonathan Tenorio Attao, Ivan Alafanson Blanco, Ralph Naraja Yumul, Joel Castro Camacho, and Patrick Hofschneider San Nicolas.
The three victorious independents are Edmund Joseph Sablan Villagomez, Joseph Flores, and Donald Manalang Manglona.
Villagomez and Manglona have already aligned with the Democrats, making the Democrats 10. Flores is aligned with the Republicans, making the Republicans 10, and thus creating a tie.
If Yumul will align with the Democrats, this will break the tie and the Democrats will become the majority.
When asked if he is confident that the Republicans will still be the House majority when the 22nd Legislature is sworn in, Gov. Ralph DLG Torres stated last week that the GOP has the numbers. Torres said they just have to wait and see on what that discussion is moving into the inauguration of the members of the 22nd Legislature.
“But at the end of the day, we are all elected here,” said Torres, adding that, regardless what happens at the inauguration, they are bound to protect and provide safety, education, and health to the community.
“And so that’s my take—that we need to continue to move forward,” he said
The governor said they still need to work together, regardless of who is the majority or who’s the minority.
“[The] election is done. And that’s more important to me that we need to address our issues and come up with new revenues across the board and we move forward,” Torres said.
