New Youth Congress sworn in

All but one of the 23 newly elected youth senators were sworn in as members of the 8th CNMI Youth Congress Saturday.

Re-elected senator Alvie O. Sanchez, who represents Election Precinct 1 in Saipan, was named the new speaker for the youth group, while Esther Genevieve F. Omar from the same district was voted vice speaker.

First-term youth senator Joseph M. Hocog of Tinian High School was chosen floor leader, as Rika Matsumoto of Grace Christian Academy took on her new role as legislative secretary.

Nikita P. Mendiola from Election Precinct V in Tinian and Aguingan could not make it to the inauguration because of a death in the family. She will be sworn in on Oct. 27.

Chief Justice Miguel S. Demapan administered the oath of office during the ceremony at the Legislative Building. In attendance were Gov. Juan N. Babauta, House Speaker Benigno Fitial, senators and representatives, and the youth senators’ families and friends.

Addressing the inaugural session, Babauta expressed hope that participating in the Youth Congress would motivate the young leaders to dedicate their life to public service.

“I can tell you that my experience in government…[has] taught me a lot about how government can improve people’s lives and how satisfying that can be,” the governor said. “I hope you experience the same satisfaction of improving the lives of the people who elected you, during the time you serve in the Youth Congress.”

Babauta, who is running for reelection, also took the opportunity to tout his efforts to increase the amount spent on educating students.

He noted that the CNMI was spending only $3,000 on each student every year, less than half the national average. But his administration, he said, had worked on reversing the decline in government funding for education.

“So when we had to cut spending in my first year—because fear of terrorism stopped tourists from flying and government revenues dropped—I protected the Public School System from any cuts. And every year, the budget I sent to the Legislature increasing funding for education,” he said.

The administration’s budget proposal for PSS this year amounts to $50 million, a 35-percent increase from the current allocation.

“I am still hopeful that the Legislature will pass a budget with more money for education. I know this Youth Congress would if it had the power to pass a budget,” Babauta added.

Established under Public Law 8-27, the Youth Congress aims to give the Commonwealth’s youth hands-on experience in the legislative process and governance.

This year’s Youth Congress includes eight reelected and 15 new members, all chosen by their peers during the Sept. 19 elections.

The school senators are Connita S. Deleon Guerrero of Saipan Southern High School; Naomi C. Sablan of Marianas High School; Joseph K. Leong-Aguon of Kagman High School; Joseph Hocog of Tinian High School; Lolita S. Sablan of Rota High School; Jennifer Orpiano of Northern Marianas Academy; Matthew O. Deleon Guerrero of Mount Carmel School; Ranjo Genesis of Calvary Christian Academy; Rika Matsumoto of Grace Christian Academy; Seon Huon Lee of Marianas Baptist Academy; and Ma. Aileen Arnold, Sherry O. Atalig, and Nathaniel Algaier of Northern Marianas College.

Representing Precinct No. 1 (Saipan) to the Youth Congress are Alvie O. Sanchez, John P. Del Rosario, and Esther Genevieve F. Omar.

Mark S. Nuique is the elected senator for Precinct No. II (Saipan).

For Precinct III (Northern Islands), youth voters elected Josef J. Deleon Guerrero, Edwin S. Diaz, and Lupe Marie L. Kaipat.

Malcolm J. Omar was elected to represent Precinct No. IV (Saipan), Nikita P. Mendiola to Precinct No. V (Tinian and Aguiguan), and Donald M. Manglona to Precinct No. VI (Rota).