Torres, Sablan cast votes for runoff election

Gov. Ralph DLG Torres flashes the No. 2 sign as a Commonwealth Election Commission staff checks his identification card to be allowed to cast his vote at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe yesterday morning. Also in the photo behind Torres is his wife, first lady Diann Tudela Torres. Torres and his running mate, Sen. Vinnie Vinson F. Sablan (R-Saipan), of the Republican Party, are No. 2 on the ballots in the Nov. 25 runoff election. Other photo shows Sablan removing his identification card from his wallet and handing it over to a CEC staff. (FERDIE DE LA TORRE)

Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and his running mate, Sen. Vinnie Vinson F. Sablan (R-Saipan), of the Republican Party, cast their votes at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe yesterday morning, which was the third day of the seven-day early voting for the runoff election.

As this developed, Commonwealth Election Commission executive director Kayla S. Igitol described the early voting turnout as “good” so far.

Igitol said there were 807 who voted on Saipan, 58 on Tinian, and 69 on Rota on the first day of early voting, last Friday, for a total of 934 voters.

On Saturday, there were 978 who cast their votes on Saipan, 108 on Tinian, and 78 on Rota, for a total of 1,164 voters.

Yesterday, Torres and Sablan, accompanied by their spouses, some Cabinet members, and supporters who were mostly wearing red shirts, crossed Beach Road from the Republican Party’s tent, which is located across the multi-purpose center, on their way to the CEC to vote at about 10:30am. At the time there was no queue of voters waiting to be checked for voter eligibility outside the multi-purpose center, but when the Torres-Sablan group arrived, it created a long line of voters.

In an interview shortly after casting their votes, Torres and Sablan said they are feeling good as they have faith and confidence in the voters.

When asked about their strategy in the runoff race, Torres said they’re doing the same thing that they’ve been doing all along—informing the community of what they’ve done and what they will continue to do.

Sablan said they’re just spreading the word, showing what they’re capable of and what they’ve been doing in the past in their leadership positions. The senator said they’re also making people look forward to what’s in store for them, and asking for their blessing to serve them in the next four years.

Torres-Sablan topped the three-way Nov. 8 general elections, but failed to gain majority votes, paving the way for the Nov. 25 runoff election with second placer, Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and his running mate, Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang, of the unified independent team.

When asked about the endorsement of the Torres-Sablan tandem by former NMI Democratic Party chair Daniel O. Quitugua, Torres said yesterday that they’re blessed that they have some key players like Quitugua of the Democratic Party endorsing them.

Torres said they thanked them, along with their supporters and families, for joining them, and that they are hoping see others follow the right path.

Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, third from left, and his wife, first lady Diann Tudela Torres, pose for a group photo with Sen. Vinnie Vinson F. Sablan (R-Saipan) and Sablan’s wife, Roca Q. Sablan, shortly after casting their votes for early voting at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe yesterday morning. Torres and Sablan, of the Republican Party, are squaring off with Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, and his running mate, Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang, of the unified independent party, for the Nov. 25 runoff race. (FERDIE DE LA TORRE)

Quitugua announced his retirement from partisan politics last Tuesday, saying he wants to focus on his passion for the protection of people of Northern Marianas descent. The following day, Wednesday, Quitugua went to the Republican Party’s headquarters to announce his support of Torres-Sablan in the runoff off race.

The Democratic Party’s gubernatorial candidates, Reps. Christina E. Sablan (D-Saipan) and Leila F. Staffler (D-Saipan) came in third place in the general elections.

With respect to Juan U. Maratita’s endorsement, Torres said he and Sablan are fortunate to have Maratita, his family, and supporters joining them.

“That’s an addition to our numbers. And I want to thank him again and with all those that came from the other parties to support us,” he said.

Maratita, who ran as an independent candidate (not under the unified independent team), was defeated in the race for House of Representatives Precinct 5 seat.

Sablan said it’s an honor to have both Quitugua and Maratita join them of their own free will.

“They’ve come and they’ve vowed to support us and bring their supporters. So it’s a great thing, I really appreciate both of them for coming on board,” Sablan said.

Torres said he is blessed throughout his political career as every time he ran for a public service position, he always receive a blessing.

“Throughout the years, the community believe in the leadership and believe in what I’ve done for this community. So this is my last gubernatorial [term], and I hope that my last term, I’m also given the blessing to serve one more term,” he said.

As to why they chose to vote early and not on the Nov. 25 runoff election day, Torres said just like what they did in the beginning: to exercise their right to vote that day, Sunday, a family day.

“We decided to come here to vote as family and that would give us time next week to do other things,” Torres said.

Sablan said it’s pure excitement as everyone was just excited to vote. “We could do it today, tomorrow, or the 25th, but with the team and supporters being so excited to cast their vote for Torres-Sablan, we decided that with the numbers that we have at the tent today, we decided let’s go vote early and ask other voters to come up and take advantage of the circumstances,” Sablan said.

As of press time yesterday, the Palacios-Apatang’s team has yet to disclose as to when they are going to vote.

In a separate interview Friday about Quitugua’s endorsement, Torres said he thanked Quitugua for his support and that he and Quitugua may disagree on other issues, but there’s one thing they’re both passionate about—those of Northern Marianas descent.

“I look forward to working with him and I want to thank him and his families and those who believe, come join this runoff election and look forward to the positive outcome,” Torres said.

Igitol said Friday that the first day of early voting went smoothly, that they have not encountered any major issue on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.