3 vie for AG after Manibusan opts not to seek reelection

Michael Evangelista became the latest candidate to file for attorney general during the final day of filing, joining J. Robert Glass Jr. and Joaquin DLG Torres in what is shaping up to be a three-way race after incumbent Attorney General Edward E. Manibusan announced he will not seek reelection.

Evangelista submitted his nominating petitions to the Commonwealth Election Commission last Wednesday, Aug. 5, saying his campaign is centered on protecting the integrity and independence of the Office of the Attorney General.

"I absolutely love the CNMI. The CNMI is home to me. I love the people. I love our islands," Evangelista said. "I'm running because I want to protect the integrity of the office and to preserve and hold the highest standard of integrity for this office."

He said his priority would be "to uphold the rule of law" and ensure it is administered "fairly, equally, and transparently without family bias, without political favor."

Evangelista said he had considered running since last year but initially stepped aside after hearing multiple candidates were interested in the office. He said he reconsidered after learning Manibusan would not seek another term and supporters quickly gathered well beyond the required number of petition signatures to place him on the ballot.

Glass filed his candidacy last Tuesday, Aug, 4, saying he wants to preserve the office's constitutional independence while making its work more transparent to the public.

"I'm the first truly independent candidate, and the most independent candidate for this office," Glass said. "This is a very important office. The Constitution has established it as an independent office."

He also pledged greater public access to the office's work.

"I want to make sure that everybody knows what our office is doing," Glass said. "I want to make sure the media gets to meet with us and see what we're doing."

Asked about facing candidates with political ties, Glass said his decisions would be guided solely by the law.

"I can look at it and just apply the law, which is what we should be doing," he said. "We're not here to just advance a governor's agenda. We're here to make sure that the governor's agenda is done in accordance with law."

Glass said he will take a leave of absence from his position as an assistant attorney general once his candidacy is certified, as required by Commonwealth law.

Asked whether he considered himself an underdog, Glass expressed confidence in his candidacy.

"I think I'm going to win," Glass said. "The reason why I think I'm going to win is because I am independent, and I bring not just the independence, but I bring the transparency, because Glass is transparent."

Torres was the first candidate to file, submitting his petitions last Monday, Aug. 3.

"I believe it's time for me to serve in a different capacity. Help our people in a different capacity," Torres said. "I think I'm ready. I'm the right candidate to be the next attorney general for our people."

Torres said he wants a more visible attorney general.

"We need an attorney general who's active, who's in front, who faces the problem," he said. "Who's not at the back of the AG's office, but in the front of the AG's office. Representing the people of the CNMI."

He also said he believes the Office of the Attorney General should work closely with the executive branch while carrying out its constitutional responsibilities.

"I'm putting my name in. I want to help the people. I want to serve in a different capacity," Torres said. "I believe in my legal profession and my experience. I'm the right guy for the job."