Senatorial, gubernatorial candidates share their views on abortion | News

One of the most substantial questions faced by those that are chosen to fill the 37th Guam Legislature this election season will be whether to allow, limit or forbid the practice of abortion.

With the overturn of the national right to an abortion by the U.S. Supreme Court in June, most abortions have been banned in 14 states as of Sept. 23 and several other states are embroiled in courtroom battles over whether to restrict the procedure, according to data compiled by the New York Times.

Earlier this year, the Guam Heartbeat Act of 2022 was introduced. The measure would bar abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected, which is typically around six weeks. The pending measure has been met with vocal support and opposition.

Lawmakers may now seek even tighter regulations, while others may seek to provide access to the procedure through Guam law.

The Pacific Daily News asked Guam’s 30 senatorial candidates about their stance on abortion as part of its election 2022 voter’s guide. A number of candidates didn’t respond to questions sent by the newspaper.

The following questions were sent via email to all candidates:

1. If a bill to ban abortion on Guam was up for vote during a session of the 37th Guam Legislature, would you vote for or against it?
2. If a bill to enshrine the right to abortion in Guam law was up for vote during a session of the 37th Guam Legislature, would you vote for or against it? What do you believe is an acceptable cutoff date for the procedure, if any?

Candidates were asked to limit their response to 50 words and were told that they need not respond to one question if they responded to the other. Several didn’t respond directly to either question, referring to a referendum or to other positions on abortion.

Two follow up messages were sent via email, along with several follow up phone calls to candidates’ numbers provided on file with the Guam Election Commission.

Guam’s next governor also will have a significant say on the abortion question. Public Law 20-134, a 1990 ban on most forms of abortion, remains in Guam’s legal code. While the law previously was found unconstitutional, the Office of the Attorney General has told the newspaper the governor of Guam may seek to dissolve the injunction of the decades-old law and have it enforced.

Both gubernatorial teams were asked for their stance on the law.

Candidate responses are as follows:

Democratic senatorial candidates

1. Muña Barnes, Tina Rose (incumbent)

While I personally chose life as a young mother, I believe any fundamental question impacting women’s reproductive rights must be decided by the people at a referendum. To be clear, I would support any bill placing questions regarding abortion before the electorate.

2. Parkinson, William Mark

1. I would vote against a bill that attempted to ban abortion.

2: I would support a bill that would enshrine abortion as a right. My personal cut-off date would be the viability standard set forth by Planned Parenthood vs. Casey.

3. Terlaje, Therese M. (incumbent)

Did not respond.

4. Quinata, Roy A. B.

1. I would vote against it.

2. I will be sure to protect a women’s right to choose. I believe abortion services should be treated equally to any other medical service we offer on island. Government should not restrict any medical service that will promote the health of its people, including abortion services.

5. Nededog, Sarah Thomas

Did not respond.

Nededog has previously told the newspaper: “I believe in protecting life at all stages and that education and prevention methods are vital strategies needed to prevent unplanned pregnancies. I would work toward increased sex education, including reproduction, contraception, and other preventative strategies, as well as addressing the psychological and interpersonal aspects of incest, sexual abuse, and domestic violence.”

6. Shelton, Amanda Lee (incumbent)

Did not respond.

Shelton is a co-sponsor of the pending 2022 Guam Heartbeat Act.

7. San Nicolas, Dwayne

1. I will vote against any measure that would restrict a woman’s right to choose.

2. Unless under special circumstances, the pregnancy may not be terminated if it is older than 24 weeks, unless it will protect the life or health of the pregnant woman.

8. Bordallo, Fred

1. I would vote against it.

2. I would vote for that right for women. I believe that this is a decision made between a woman and her health physician about time lengths of when the procedure should be done during the earliest initial stages of pregnancy.

9. Santos, Angela Therese

1. If there was a bill to ban abortion on Guam, … I would vote against it.

10. Marsh Taitano, Kelly G.

1. I will oppose any measure that restricts a woman’s right to choose unless it is submitted for a public referendum.

11. Barnett, Darrel Christopher

Did not respond.

12. Terlaje, Jose “Pedo” (incumbent)

1. I personally am pro-life but I do not believe my personal beliefs on such a personal matter should be imposed upon anyone else. However, I have and will continue to support legislation which supports adoption services, foster children health care and support to mothers who choose to give birth.

2. I think this question should be put to public referendum.

13. San Agustin, Joe Shimizu (incumbent)

1. My vote would depend on the contents of the bill. I am anti-abortion, but I cannot support any measure that does not allow exceptions for victims of rape or incest or if deemed medically necessary. Those are decisions made by women, law enforcement and medical professionals.

14. Savares, Jonathan J.

1. I would vote against the bill

2. I believe that the decision should be discussed between a woman, her family and a physician.

15. Perez, Sabina E. (incumbent)

Did not respond.

Perez previously told the newspaper: “I would support legislation to preserve the right of women to make their own reproductive choices. Abortion is a moral choice that should be left to the individual woman to make. It is a private issue, with which the government should not interfere.”

Republican Senatorial Candidates

1. Blas, Frank Flores Jr., (incumbent)

Did not respond.

Blas has previously told the newspaper: “I believe in the sanctity of life and I believe that all life begins in the moment of conception. I know that right now, there are conversations with regard to accessibility and prohibition.”

2. Taitano, Michelle Hope

1. I would vote for it, yes, to ban abortion on Guam; thank you and God bless!

3. Borja Vincent A.B.

1. Yes, with exceptions.

4. Taitague, Telo (incumbent)

Did not respond.

Taitague has previously told the newspaper: “I will always choose life. I also believe that the government must protect women’s access to health care and provide services including medical care and mental health support for women who lack access to safe and affordable services.”

5. Catling, Ian Dale

1. The issue of pro-life/pro-choice is thousands of years old and over the course of thousands of years, neither side has produced an infallible argument. I’m in favor of letting the community decide through referendum, just like how they did in the state of Kansas.

6. Duenas, Christopher M. (incumbent)

1. I would vote in favor of it.

7. Lujan, Jesse Anderson

1. I am pro-life, I will vote for it as long it includes exceptions for rape, incest and if the mother’s life is in danger.

2. I would vote against it. I would not vote for legislation to legalize abortion on Guam. I am pro-life.

8. Seau, Sandra Reyes

I would vote to ban abortion. The saying, “My body, my choice,” I get that it’s the woman’s body but the baby growing inside of the woman is not their body. Who is going to be the voice for the baby inside of the woman’s womb? I would vote to ban abortion because taking a life is murder.

9. Fisher, Thomas J.

I would have to see a bill before I could respond to the question. 90% of the court decisions following the overturn of Roe vs. Wade were determined by men. I would prefer a referendum which would include the opinion of women.

10. Brown, Joanne Marie

As a pro-life supporter, I am in favor of tightening up the abortion laws. Unfortunately, the Guam Heartbeat Act of 2022 has not been advanced beyond the public hearings or forwarded to be discussed and debated on session floor.

11. Mabini Young, Shirley “Sam”

Did not respond.

Mabini has previously told the newspaper: “Women and men of appropriate age must be trained or receive education on this complex topic before finding themselves in the precarious situation of an unplanned family. The hope is that we protect and respect the life of the child, while considering the life and personal circumstances of the mother.”

12. Taijeron, Maryann Silva

I will start by stating that I am pro-life. However, before I make a decision on how I would vote on any proposed legislation, I would want to understand all of the provisions in the bill. And while I may support a…