REPORTERS’ NOTEBOOK

Former representative Angel A. Demapan will be returning to the Executive Branch after Gov. Ralph DLG Torres appointed him as the administration’s new chief of staff.

The two-term lawmaker worked at the Governor’s Office as press secretary of the late governor Eloy S. Inos and former governor Benigno R. Fitial.

He was one of the six representatives of Precinct 1 for two terms in the 19th and 20th Legislature. (Jon Perez)
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The Torres administration is still going through all the compiled reports submitted by the transition committee after reviewing all agencies, boards, commissions, department, instrumentalities, public corporations, or other entities of the CNMI government.

Gov. Ralph DLG Torres asked for the courtesy resignation of all Cabinet members, agency heads, and board members. Courtesy resignations have been a standard operating procedure to give the incoming administration a free hand to decide on who would be retained or let go. (Jon Perez)
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Officials from the Federated States of Micronesia, Guam, and Palau attended yesterday’s inauguration of Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios at the NMIFA Soccer Training Facility in Koblerville.

FSM President Peter M. Christian, Guam Gov. Lou Deleon Guerrero, and Palau President Tommy Remengesau were in attendance as well as other top officials of their respective branches of government.

Sen. Tina Muna-Barnes, the Speaker of the 35th Guam Legislature and the second female to hold the post, was joined by fellow lawmakers Sens. Kelly Marsh-Taitano, Amanda Shelton, Louisa Muna, and Wil Castro. (Jon Perez)
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Two members of the Refaluwasch Warriors blew the sawi or conch at the start of the inauguration ceremony for Gov. Ralph DLG. Torres and Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios yesterday at the Northern Mariana Islands Soccer Training Center in Koblerville, providing a warm, thrilling, and far-reaching signal to start the ceremonies. (Ferdie de la Torre)
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The Northern Mariana Islands Soccer Training Center in Koblervile turned out to be the perfect venue for the inauguration ceremony for Gov. Ralph DLG. Torres and Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios. Many noticed that the green field gave a pleasing contrast to the red carpet and the colorful stage. The breeze was also cool, providing dignitaries and the crowd with wonderful weather despite the blazing sun. (Ferdie de la Torre)
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Superior Court Associate Judge Teresa Kim-Tenorio officiated Board of Education member Andrew Orsini’s oath-taking. Orsini did not place his hand on anything as he was taking his oath. Public School System legal counsel Tiberius Mocanu presided over the special meeting as the board chair pro tem and nearly recessed the board meeting without hearing Orsini’s special remarks due to a reportedly faulty script. (Erwin Encinares)
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Newly-sworn in Board of Education member Andrew Orsini was nearly overcome with emotion as he recalled working with Education Commissioner Glenn Muña. Orsini was the Parent Teacher Student Association president of Oleai Elementary School while Muna then was principal.  (Erwin Encinares)
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Board of Education member Andrew Orsini noted in his remarks that everytime he was asked which political party he belonged to, he would reportedly reply, “The children’s party.”  (Erwin Encinares)
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Despite it being a local inauguration ceremony, many federal personnel showed up in support of Saipan Mayor David Apatang’s inauguration. There were dozens of Army and Federal Emergency Management Agency personnel in attendance.

The 15th Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Council’s inauguration was merged with Apatang’s inauguration and it was short and quick. The newly elected council members were not even allotted time to give celebratory speeches. (Kimberly A. Bautista)