Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — With 'whispers' already in the community of possible candidates for the November 2020 gubernatorial race, Gov. Lolo Matalasi Moliga has issued an early reminder against the use of government property and resources for political campaigns.

In accordance with local law and the Constitution, Lolo is barred from seeking a third-term as governor. 

The agenda at last Thursday’s cabinet meeting included “political campaigns” — an issue  Lolo said he and Lt. Gov. Lemanu Palepoi Sialega Mauga, “decided early to put on the agenda.”

This is done, said Lolo, because of “our belief” that some of the local leaders have already started talking about plans to run for public office.

Although he didn’t elaborate on names, Lolo said, “I know the Lieutenant Governor is after the governor’s [post]. But that’s his call.”

Lolo said he is a “firm believer” that leaders are appointed by God, no matter if there are 100 candidates running for public office. “I’ve always shared my vision with the lieutenant governor — that leaders are appointed by God,” he said, adding that it was during a Governor’s Office meeting that the issue of getting involved in campaigning “was raised by one of our kids.”

The governor told cabinet members, “We suggested not to mention any of that [campaigning] in any meetings of government.”

“We want to be fair with everybody who has an interest in running [for public office] to make sure that we treat their interest right. And to make sure that we do it the right way,” the governor explained.

For those who have interest in campaigning, including cabinet members, the governor said, “Two things that are important: not to do it on government time and not use government property to enhance any political interest.”

Lolo said this was the same policy implemented during his campaign for governor, and “we’d like to extend that practice to make sure we do it the right way. You don’t influence any vote by using your job. You don’t influence votes by using government properties.”

And “if I know that’s happen, I have all the rights to remove anything that is used by you on political activities,” said Lolo.

“Participating in political activities is a right that is given by the Constitution to every individual. And that’s why we have to treat that fairly, to make sure that everybody is being treated the right way,” Lolo reminded his cabinet.

"You’re free and welcome to do campaigning outside of government hours. You’re free to use your own properties, [but] no government vehicle use in any [political] campaigning,” he stressed.

According to the governor, there are “people who are interested in running, who are not working for the government. And we want to extend the same fairness to make sure that our people can get a fair election, fair selection of our leaders.”

The governor said he knows there are many who want this leadership post and there is nothing wrong with that, because it will give the people a choice.

“The best thing that our people can have is more leaders coming out of your generation and our generation,” he said. “And that’s why we believe, if you have an interest for the seat — go after it. But do it the right way.”

Towards the end of the cabinet meeting, Lolo revealed that starting in the next meeting, Lemanu “will take over the meetings... just to give the lieutenant governor a chance to work with you and start learning real tactics of being a leader in this government.”

“So as part of my commitment to advance our leadership in our territory, we’ll start having the lieutenant governor taking over those responsibilities, and I’ll provide the supporting role, and advise our cabinet.”

Starting this week, the governor asks directors “to try to get familiar with his [Lemanu] voice, with his ability to control and to make sure that he shares the responsibility with you.”

And “in the event, whoever is elected governor for our people, at least I have provided the opportunity to him and to all of you, to make sure that you are prepared to take over the leadership of this government,” he told cabinet members.

Because the incumbent governor cannot seek a third term in office,  there’s been a lot of talk in certain sectors of the community, about possible candidates for governor and their running mates since the middle of last year.

At the start of 2019, new information has surfaced about the changes in running mates for possible candidates for governor, and it's keeping the rumor mill working 24/7.