By Gemma Q. Casas
Variety News Staff

GOVERNOR Benigno R. Fitial withdrew his nomination of former Commonwealth Utilities Corp. director Velma Palacios to the yet-to -be-formed Public Utilities Commission board after lawmakers expressed concern over a possible conflict of interest issue.
Palacios is an engineer at Pacific Telecom Inc., the largest telecommunications company in the Northern Marianas.
The PUC board has jurisdiction over the islands’ telecommunications, cable and utilities industries.
The board will determine which company will take over the proposed privatization of CUC’s power business.
“It is with deep regret that I inform you that I am withdrawing her name as my appointee,” said the governor in his letter to the Legislature.
“I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you or other members of the Legislature.”
Likewise, the governor withdrew the nomination of Cris Inos to the PUC board due to health reasons.
Inos would have represented Rota on the board.