Torres challenges Palacios again to a debate

Gov. Ralph DLG Torres gestures as he explains his views, while his running mate, Sen. Vinnie Vinson F. Sablan (R-Saipan), listens during their press conference at the Republican Party’s headquarters in Garapan yesterday afternoon. (FERDIE DE LA TORRE)

Gov. Ralph DLG Torres again challenged Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios yesterday to a gubernatorial debate, saying one of his and Sen. Vinnie Vinson F. Sablan’s (R-Saipan) concerns is how Palacios and his running mate, Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang, will be able to pay 100% benefits to government retirees.

“I’m appealing to him [Palacios], that it’s not about me. It’s to give the opportunity for voters out there to hear what you also have to say, what you have done, what will you continue to do?” said Torres during a press conference at the Republican Party’s headquarters in Garapan.

The governor said he has taken care of the retirees, but he is also concerned that if someone else handles this, how can they get their 100% benefits.

He said he is concerned of a lot of things that, if the progress does not continue, what will be the solution of the next governor.

“And that’s why I appeal to have this debate so that others can hear. I know what I have done but if I don’t do it, what is the ramification? How are the people going to survive? How are the retirees? What is their solution?” Torres asked.

Sablan said that people deserve to hear from their leaders and candidates articulate the issues and the solutions they have in their plans and platforms.

Sablan said the answers that they give at the debate will be used against them when they serve.

Torres said he remembers that defeated gubernatorial candidate Rep. Christina E. Sablan (D-Saipan) and her running mate, Rep. Leila F. Staffler (D-Saipan), of the Democratic Party, challenged him and Sen. Vinnie Sablan to a debate.

“So [was] there a value to that? And then now that they’re together, there is no value to it?” Torres asked.

Palacios apparently stated yesterday that there’s no value to holding another debate.

Reps. Tina Sablan and Staffler and the Democratic Party are throwing their support behind the Palacios-Apatang’s unified independent team in the Nov. 25 runoff election.

Torres said a debate is beneficial where everyone hears what the next governor will do, what the next governor has done, and what the next governor will continue to do.

The governor said the last thing he heard was that Palacios was saying he is open to a debate anytime, anywhere and that he (Torres) should better be ready.

At the start of the press conference, Torres announced that Andrew Salas, a defeated Saipan senatorial candidate from the unified independent team, has officially endorsed him and Sen. Sablan for the runoff race.
Torres said Salas came to the Republican Party’s headquarters, along with his mother and family members, to join them in this runoff.

“It’s something that we look forward to. I’m very fortunate to have him. His family believe in this process,” he said.

The governor said they also welcome everyone who wants to join them in the runoff election.

Sen. Sablan said they have three more days to early voting, 10 more days to election day, and that he wants to thank all of the people for coming to vote during the last general election.

Sablan said they did have a significant number of people who failed to vote and that he encouraged everybody to exercise their right to choose their next leaders in the CNMI.

“It’s very important for all of us and for the future of the CNMI,” he said.

Sablan said they thanked Salas and his family for making that decision to support the Torres-Sablan team.

He said he just want to appeal to the people to make their own decision based on facts and on progress.

“Make your decision to vote on what you see in front of you. And also to make a decision…on who you think could lead the Commonwealth into sustaining, a better future for our people and our children,” he said.