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Mendiola nominated as Rota rep in CUC board
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Posted on Nov 08 2004
Gov. Juan N. Babauta has finally nominated a replacement for Laura Manglona, eight months after she ended her almost 10-year stint as Rota representative to the Commonwealth Utilities Corp. board of directors.
Babauta nominated Martin Taisacan Mendiola to serve on the CUC board of directors, representing Rota. The nomination now awaits confirmation by the Senate.
The governor informed Senate President Joaquin G. Adriano of the nomination in a Nov. 3 letter, which included Mendiola’s resumé and statement of financial interests. Babauta said his office will shortly submit evidence of the nominee’s compliance with the mandatory drug screening.
The CUC board has been missing a Rota representative since Manglona’s term as board member ended last March 11. This has raised concerns from some CUC board members, who maintained that it is especially crucial for all CUC customers to be represented in the board now that proposed fuel surcharge fee and other crucial issues are on the table.
Only five members are currently serving on the CUC board of directors. They are chair Francisco Q. Guerrero, vice chair Herman P. Sablan, secretary Rufina Miles, treasurer/Tinian representative Allen Perez, and board members Joe Torres and Velma Ann Palacios.
According to his resumé, Mendiola is currently working as budget/federal program coordinator for the Rota Mayor’s Office. Among his tasks is to work with the governor’s special assistant for administration in coordinating federal and local emergency relief for the Rota people.
From August 2001 to February 2004, Mendiola served as counselor and academic advisor for the Northern Marianas College campus on Rota. Before that, he served as the Rota mayor’s special assistant for projects and administrative officer for the Department of Lands and Natural Resources.
Mendiola worked as special assistant for then Rep. Alejo M. Mendiola Jr. from January 1997 to July 1998, and as researcher for the 6th Rota Municipal Council from December 1996 to January 1997.
He also spent over 15 years working in different schools on Guam, starting as a teacher and working his way up to becoming a principal.
