Torres says Democrat reps not doing anything to aid retirees, help find $10M for medical referral

Gov. Ralph DLG Torres said Friday that Democrat members of the House of Representatives that are involved in the investigation of his travels and expenditures should instead do something to help the CNMI’s retirees and the medical referral program.

Asked during radio press briefing whether the ongoing investigation by the House Judiciary and Governmental Operations Committee into his and the first lady’s expenditures and travels will affect his re-election bid, Torres said some JGO members keep repeating the same questions they already asked a couple of years ago.

“They had the same information. They’re asking the same information again,” said the governor, adding that the Democrat representatives are concerned about too many different things.

Torres said he is confident that what he has done is for the best interest of representing the CNMI in every capacity and any occasion. “So for me, at the end of the day, they’re going to realize that everything that I’ve done has not violated anything,” he said.

Torres characterized the JGO investigation as the Democrats’ “political move” on what they want to accomplish, rather than looking for ways to protect the retirees and do anything to find $10 million for the medical referral program.

Ralph DLG Torres

“I don’t see any action by them,” the governor said. “They are continuing to do what they feel is in their interests.”

In the meantime, Torres said, he will continue to do what he believes is right and what he’s voted for—to bring back the economy and make sure that the livelihood of every individual in the CNMI is better. “And as you see, with this pandemic, we continue to be one of the safest places on Earth. I don’t see them acknowledging that. So I expect that from them,” Torres said. “I will continue to do what I need to do.”

He said he does not see any action from any of the Democrats in wanting to make the community better again.

On his announcement last week to seek a second term as governor in next year’s gubernatorial election, Torres thanked the voters who have “blessed” him with his career since running for the House, Senate, and the 2018 general election. He said his election gave him the opportunity and great honors to represent the people.

Torres said he worked hard this year and last year and that there’s still a lot of work that needs to be done. “We’ve done a lot. And I want to make sure that we continue to do the progress that we’ve made in the last several years,” the governor said.

He said that’s one of the reasons why he wants to ask for the continued blessing and support of the community, so he could finish the things that his administration wants to accomplish.