Senate confirms appointment of Marciano, Dela Cruz

The Senate confirmed yesterday the appointment of retired teacher Luella Ichihara Marciano and former Department of Commerce secretary Pedro Q. Dela Cruz to serve as a resident executive for the Indigenous Affairs Office and as a member of the Marianas Public Land Trust board of trustees, respectively.

All eight senators present at yesterday’s special Senate session voted “yes” to adopt the Executive Appointments and Government Investigations Committee reports that recommend the confirmation of the appointment of Marciano and Dela Cruz. Sen. Corina L. Magofna (Ind-Saipan) was absent, but excused from the session.

Sen. Celina R. Babauta (D-Saipan), who chairs the EAGI Committee, said before the voting that Marciano is one of the most unique nominees for the resident executive position that she has ever come across in her many years of government employment.

Babauta said Marciano brings a unique perspective, shaped by her bi-cultural background.

“She is multilingual. She is native. She is indigenous. She is a Northern Marianas descent,” the senator said.

Babauta said Marciano’s nomination by Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, who himself is bi-cultural, sends a powerful message that the CNMI government reflects diversity and inclusion.

On Dela Cruz’s appointment to MPLT board representing Rota, Babauta said aside from obtaining his undergraduate degree in economics and sociology from Western New Mexico University, the nominee’s vast experience in many areas of government makes him a perfect candidate to serve as a trustee of the MPLT.

The senator said during the Trust Territory era, Dela Cruz served as the assistant district economic development officer and chief of the economic division.

She said after the islands became a Commonwealth, Dela Cruz lent his talents as the secretary of Commerce under the administration of former governor Froilan C. Tenorio and lieutenant governor Jesus C. Borja.

“From A to Z and everything in between Mr. Dela Cruz has served on multiple boards and commissions,” Babauta said.

She said Dela Cruz is a current retiree, managing his own business on Rota, but is very willing and able to lend his expertise to serve on the MPLT board of trustees.

Marciano said in an interview that it was overwhelming and that she is glad that the confirmation process is done.

Marciano said they have a lot of work to do and that’s what she is looking forward so that she can concentrate more on the office in what she needs to do in her capacity as resident executive for Indigenous Affairs Office.

Dela Cruz, on the other hand, said he appreciates the Senate’s confidence and that he served the government for over 30 years.

He said when Palacios called him to inform him that he wanted to appoint him as a member of the MPLT board, he told the governor he is willing to come and serve again.

Dela Cruz also previously served as vice chair for the NMI Retirement Fund board of trustees.