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Apatang appoints Dr. Sablan to MPLT board
Acting governor David M. Apatang has appointed former Education Commissioner Dr. Rita Aldan Sablan to serve as a member of the Marianas Public Land Trust, representing Saipan/women.
Apatang informed Senate President Edith E. DeLeon Guerrero (D-Saipan) Thursday that he and Gov. Arnold I. Palacios are confident that Sablan’s membership with the MPLT board is critical and that her nomination and, hopefully, subsequent confirmation by the Senate, will ensure consistency and continuity in fulfilling the goals and objectives of the MPLT.
In confirmed by the Senate, Sablan will serve the remaining term vacated by Maria Frica T. Pangelinan, which will expire on Jan. 9, 2024.
Apatang said MPLT plays a very important role in the development of the Commonwealth and that they have every confidence that Sablan will devote her time and efforts in the best interests of all people.
Sablan was Juan N. Babauta’s running mate as lieutenant governor under an independent team in the November 2018 general election.
Then-governor Ralph DLG Torres and his running mate, then-Senate president Arnold I. Palacios, defeated Babauta-Sablan by a huge margin.
Rita Aldan Sablan
Pangelinan, Martin B. Ada and Peter Q. Cruz recently resigned from the MPLT board, leaving the board with just three trustees.
Palacios recently nominated former Marianas Public Land Trust board chair Alvaro Santos and Tinian businessman Phillip Mendiola Long to serve as a member of the MPLT board to represent Saipan and Tinian, respectively.
If confirmed by the Senate, Santos would serve the remainder of Ada’s term which will expire on Jan. 9, 2024.
Santos used to serve as MPLT board chair.
