CPUC reappointment of Angello moves to House floor

The House Committees on Judicial and Governmental Operations, and Public Utilities, Transportation and Communications unanimously approved the recommendation of the administration of Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang to reappoint former Commonwealth Public Utilities Commission commissioner Dr. John “Jack” A. Angello. The recommendation now moves to the entire House floor for a vote.

Last Wednesday, JGO chair Rep. Marissa Flores (Ind-Saipan), House vice speaker Rep. Joel Camacho (Ind-Saipan), House floor leader Rep. Edwin Propst (D-Saipan), and Reps. Malcolm Omar (Ind-Saipan), Manny Gregory T. Castro (Ind-Saipan), Diego Vincent F. Camacho (D-Saipan), John Paul Sablan (D-Saipan). and Roman C. Benavente (Ind-Saipan) voted to approve the administration’s recommendation to reappoint Angello to the CPUC.

Angello’s initial term expired last April which caused the commission to go without quorum for that last month hindering the commission from moving forward with important decisions.

With the committees voting to approve the administration’s recommendation, the recommendation now moves to the entire House floor for discussion and approval before moving to the Senate.

Should his reappointment be confirmed by the Senate, Angello will again represent Saipan on the CPUC as a commissioner.

In a short comment from Angello, he said he appreciates the administration and the committee’s trust in him to reappoint him. He added that he hopes his nomination moves forward so he can get back to work.

“The commission is very important and we need it to help the islands in terms of regulating different utility entities,” he said.

Also present last Wednesday to show their support for Angello’s reappointment were CPUC chair James Sirok and special assistant for Administration Oscar M. Babauta. Both of whom expressed their support for Angello’s reappointment before the committees.

Sirok, in his comments, said Angello has the interest of the Commonwealth and its people at heart and has performed his responsibilities with due diligence.

Meanwhile, Babauta shared that the CPUC is an important regulatory body that oversees utility rates therefore it is critical that Angello’s reappointment moves forward in order for the commission to have quorum again.