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Propst hints at serving House Precinct 1 again
Former lawmaker resumes criticisms against Torres
Edwin K. Propst
Despite a slew of critical comments against Gov. Ralph DLG Torres on his social media page, former lawmaker Edwin K. Propst remains coy about his future political plans, hinting that he may return to the CNMI House of Representatives to represent Precinct 1 in the incoming 22nd Legislature.
Saipan Tribune tried to obtain a direct comment from Propst about his plans after seeing his many comments against Torres on Facebook but he had yet to respond as of press time yesterday. Similarly, Saipan Tribune also tried to solicit comments from Torres but there was also no response as of press time.
Propst has been silent on social media since he resigned from office as a representative last Oct. 1.
In his Facebook account posted Saturday at 12:07am, Propst (D-Saipan) said one of the first pieces of legislation they will pass in the 22nd Legislature is to cut Torres’ salary from $120,000 to $60,000 until they see a budget that is not in deficit. “Every single budget we have seen from this administration has been in deficit spending, and while he and his lackeys blame all kinds of external factors, his personal spending and favorable contracts to connected companies say otherwise,” Propst said.
He added that he will never again “be silenced by bullies and extortionists.”
At 1:16am Saturday, Propst posted again in his Facebook account that raised the question: “How about no PUA (Pandemic Unemployment Assistance), no paycheck for Gov. Torres?”
“Guaranteed your PUA comes out in no time if this were the standard,” he added.
After all, Propst said, the governor is only making $120,000 a year with unlimited first class travel and unlimited reimbursements. “Do you think Gov. Torres deserves his $120,000-a-year salary, unlimited first class travels, five publicly paid security details for his mansion and personal bodyguards, and unlimited reimbursements, all while the rest of our people of our islands struggle to survive and await PUA and paychecks?” Propst said.
Last Nov. 13, U.S. Army veteran and former Department of Public Safety official Franklin Reyes Babauta replaced Propst in the 21st Legislature.
Torres appointed Babauta as representative for Election District 1 after House Speaker Blas Jonathan T. Attao (R-Saipan) declared the seat vacant in the wake of Propst’s resignation.
At the Nov. 3 general election, nine of the NMI Democratic Party’s candidates for the Legislature, including Propst, prevailed. Ten Republican Party candidates and five independent bets also won.
The election, described by the Commonwealth Election Commission as out of the ordinary, saw Propst as the top vote-getter among 14 candidates for the House Precinct 1. He did this even without campaigning.
Last Sept. 17, the Department of Public Safety confirmed that a sexual misconduct complaint had been filed against Propst and that DPS is looking into the complaint. Last week, DPS issued another statement that the investigation is ongoing.
A concerned citizen, Irene Holl, first wrote to Attao and urged him to conduct a formal ethics investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against Propst while he was a teacher at Marianas High School and at the Northern Marianas College.
Holl also wrote the same letters to Torres and Attorney General Edward Manibusan.
