Demapan confirmed; Aldan gets endorsement

As expected, new Supreme Court Chief Justice Miguel S. Demapan got the required confidence vote of the Senate during a session yesterday on Tinian after its Committee on Executive Appointments and Governmental Investigations held a brief public hearing on his nomination.

At least six others were also confirmed by senators, including three appointees to the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation Board of Directors, two to Board of Professional Licensing and one to the Board of Public Lands.

Although former BPL chair Tomas B. Aldan has yet to be re-appointed to the policy-making body, two senators endorsed his nomination.

Senate Vice President Thomas P. Villagomez and Senate Floor Leader Pete P. Reyes said they would vote for him if and when the governor submits his name for confirmation.

Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio earlier said he would weigh Aldan’s re-appointment to see whether his nomination will win support from the Senate to assure his confirmation.

Aldan, president and chief executive officer of Bank of Saipan, left BPL last June 4 after his two-year term expired. He was named to the post by former governor Froilan C. Tenorio. He has previously said he is open to occupying the post should the governor decides so.

Tenorio is reportedly having second thoughts about re-appointing Aldan to the board in view of the current differences between BPL and the Senate on the issue of granting lease extension to Rota Resort and Country Club.

Last May, the former BPL chief warned legislators against a plan to approve a 15-year extension on the existing land lease of the Japanese-owned resort, drawing ire from some who were pushing for the extension..

Members of the Senate as well as the House Natural Resources Committee are now reviewing the request by SNM Corporation.

Among those confirmed yesterday were Frank T. Flores, Edward C. Sablan and Janet H. King as CUC board members; Elizabeth S. Balajadia and Jesus DLG Takai, Board of Professional Licensing; and Manny Villagomez for public lands board.

Three others who were scheduled to be confirmed on Tinian, however, were not considered for voting by the Senate at the last minute as they still have to submit their full credentials and comply with the required documents.

Named this month by the governor, Demapan appeared to be a popular choice to replace retired chief justice Marty W.K. Taylor, edging out Supreme Court Associate Justice Alexandro C. Castro despite his being senior than the former.

“Justice Demapan is qualified,” Reyes told in an interview after the 30-minute session. “He is academically prepared to handle the job and his background and work experience are commendable.”

The Senate has the sole authority to approve all nominees of the governor and in the past, senators have successfully blocked nominations made by the governor whom they don’t support.