Fitial a no-show at Kilili’s swearing-in rites

Gov. Benigno Fitial, who traveled to Washington D.C. with his wife, Josie, for the swearing in of CNMI Delegate Gregorio “Kilili” Sablan, was unable to attend the ceremony.

Charles Reyes, press secretary for the Governor’s Office, said scheduling conflicts were the reason for Fitial’s absence.

Reyes said Fitial had planned to attend the official swearing in at 12pm, but the governor was told only Sablan’s wife and children could attend that ceremony.

A mock swearing in for photo opportunities was held later in the day but Reyes said the governor was also unable to attend this because he was meeting with congressional staffers.

Sablan’s staff members could not be reached in Washington D.C. to verify if the mock ceremony took place, but according to a press release, Sablan was sworn in at 2:20pm.

Those attending included Sablan’s family, first CNMI Resident Representative Edward DLG Pangelinan; Pete A. Tenorio, the most recent Resident Representative; Allen Stayman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee; former CNMI assistant attorney general Jay Livingstone; Angie Borja; and Merced Aldan-Ada.

It was also unclear when a picture, provided to the media, was taken that included the abovementioned people as well as Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi; Insular Affairs Subcommittee chair Donna Christensen (D-VI); Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Oceans chair Madeleine Z. Bordallo (D-GU); Rita Sablan, education commissioner for the CNMI Public School System; and Lucy Blanco-Maratita, PSS Board of Education chairwoman.

Fitial was present at President Bush’s 2pm announcement of the designation of the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument. Reyes said Fitial, after meeting with Bush during the announcement, saw Sablan.

The governor’s absence was not meant as anything against Sablan, Reyes said, and the two have been spending a lot of time together, including having dinner the night of the swearing-in ceremony.

“They have been spending a lot of time together, but unfortunately, [Fitial] was not able to attend the official swearing in, which was limited, and he couldn’t make the mock ceremony,” Reyes said.

Senate President Pete Reyes and House Speaker Arnold Palacios were also invited to the swearing in but were unable to make it, according to an earlier press release.

Sablan said he does not choose who holds the office, but that it was important to invite all of them.

“I thought this was historical enough, not because I’m here, but because it’s the first time for this office,” Sablan added.