Gov. Benigno R. Fitial reappointed Public Safety Commissioner Santiago F. Tudela and appointed Martin C. Sablan as Department of Public Works secretary on Friday, setting in motion the Senate's preparation for the two appointees' confirmation hearings.
Fitial also named Virginia C. Villagomez to serve as the special assistant for the Office of Management and Budget.
Unlike Tudela and Sablan, Villagomez does not need Senate confirmations.
Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos told Saipan Tribune last week that the administration will announce “realignment” and appointments in the next few days.
“There will be some realignment, to try to maximize their (appointees') expertise for efficiency,” he said.
When asked how many of the 11 Cabinet members and some 25 other governor's appointees will be retained and replaced, Inos said, “It's a work in progress.”
More Cabinet appointments are expected soon as the Fitial and Inos continue to review the performance evaluations of all the departments and agencies, as well as the report submitted by the Transition Committee.
Tudela and Sablan are the first two among 11 Cabinet members to be reappointed or appointed under Fitial's second term in office, and all need the advice and consent of the Senate.
“The Lt. Governor and I are confident that Mr. Santiago F. Tudela's many years of service in the public sector, including his extensive law enforcement experience will be an asset to our administration and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands,” Fitial told Senate Pres. Paul A. Manglona in a Jan. 29 letter reappointing Tudela.
Fitial sent Manglona a similar letter appointing Sablan as DPW secretary, a post vacated by Diego Songsong when he stepped down on Jan. 15 to pursue his studies off-island.
Manglona told Saipan Tribune yesterday that the Senate, especially the Committee on Executive Appointments and Governmental Investigations chaired by Sen. Francisco Q. Cruz (R-Tinian), is ready to work on the confirmation process.
The Senate has 90 days to either confirm or deny a governor's appointee.
Cruz, in a separate interview yesterday, said the committee will not exhaust the 90-day period and would work on the governor's appointments as soon as possible.
“I will call for an EAGI Committee meeting, and members will discuss the appointments submitted. We will then proceed with public hearings and ask for the submission of the required documents. We will do our best to make these hearings as smooth as possible,” Cruz told Saipan Tribune.
Acting capacities
In a statement on Saturday, the Fitial administration said Tudela and Sablan will serve in acting capacities until confirmed by the Senate.
Villagomez will continue to serve as administrator of the Capital Improvement Projects Office while as she assumes the post of special assistant for the Office of Management and Budget.
Fitial thanked Villagomez for her years of service and performance as the CIP administrator.
“We reaffirm our confidence in your ability to perform satisfactorily in your capacity. We are certain that you will be able to carry out these additional duties and responsibilities capably,” Fitial said in a statement.
32 years
In reappointing Tudela as DPS commissioner, Fitial said that he and Inos are pleased with Tudela's performance at the helm of DPS. Tudela has more than 32 years of law enforcement experience.
Fitial and Inos said they have high confidence in Tudela's leadership and management abilities. They are also pleased with Tudela's willingness to continue serving as DPS commissioner.
Tudela previously served as the DPS commissioner under then Governor Juan N. Babauta. In August of 2008, Tudela returned to the top DPS post when Fitial appointed him.
In his 32 years of service, Tudela rose through the ranks as a career law enforcement professional reaching the rank of colonel. Tudela has attended numerous professional development conferences and law enforcement training sessions throughout his career.
Sablan, meanwhile, started serving as acting DPW secretary on Jan. 21, 2010. He is a former executive assistant for the Office of Military Liaison and Veteran's Affairs. Fitial and Inos said Sablan brings a wealth of management experience to DPW.
The administration said it relies on DPW to process federal capital improvement projects in a timely and responsible manner. “We are confident in Mr. Sablan's abilities and are very pleased to have him on board,” said Fitial.
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