11th hour nominations sent to Senate

The outgoing administration has named at least seven individuals to serve as members of different boards for four- to six-year terms.

Gov. Juan N. Babauta sent several letters to the Senate between Nov. 14 and Nov. 23, nominating or re-nominating people to the boards of four agencies. Each nomination requires the advice and consent of the Senate.

On Nov. 14, Babauta re-nominated Jose C. Sablan and Galvin Deleon Guerrero to the Northern Marianas College Board of Regents.

Both board members are currently representing Saipan on the NMC board, which also acts as the State Board of Regents. If confirmed, Deleon Guerrero and Sablan would serve another four-year term.

Babauta also submitted his re-nomination of Benita A. Manglona to the board of directors of the Marianas Public Lands Authority. Manglona currently represents Rota on the MPLA board. She would serve a term of four years if the Senate confirms her appointment.

On Nov. 16, Babauta asked the Third Senatorial District Legislative Delegation, chaired by Sen. Pete P. Reyes, to consider the nomination of two individuals to the Commonwealth Zoning Board.

If confirmed, David L. Igitol would serve a two-year term as a new appointee to the Zoning Board. Meanwhile, Joaquin P. Villagomez would serve the unfinished term of William R. Concepcion, due to expire on Nov. 2, 2006. Concepcion had resigned from the board.

Two other individuals have been re-nominated to serve as members of the Marianas Public Land Trust: Herman R. Guerrero and Juan S. Torres. MPLA trustees serve for six years.

Babauta has nominated Torres to represent Saipan and Guerrero to represent Saipan and Carolinians on MPLT.

“The [MPLT] plays an important role in the development of the Commonwealth, and the Lt. Governor and I have every confidence that [Guerrero or Torres] will continue to conscientiously devote his time and efforts in the best interest of all our people,” Babauta said in his letter to the Senate. “The Lt. Governor and I are confident that his membership on this important board is critical and his nomination and hopefully, subsequent confirmation by the Senate will ensure consistency and continuity in fulfilling the goals and objectives of the Marianas Public Land Trust.”

The nominations earned criticism from the group of Babauta’s successor, House Speaker and governor-elect Benigno R. Fitial.

House leadership spokesperson Charles Reyes Jr. said the current administration—“out of respect” to the next leadership—should refrain from taking actions that would have effects extending past Babauta’s term.

“The governor-elect and the lieutenant governor-elect have already requested the administration to hold off any actions that would commit the government. Clearly, the current administration is not honoring that request,” Reyes said.

Press secretary Peter Callaghan defended the governor’s actions.

“The governor is not doing this to spite anybody. He’s still the governor…until Jan. 9. There are bills that need to be acted upon; there are appointments that need to be acted upon. As long as he’s the governor, he is going to continue to govern,” Callaghan said.