Rep. Joseph M. Palacios, R-Saipan, said they are still waiting for a legal opinion on whether the Northern Islands mayor should be consulted by his Saipan counterpart in making the nomination.
Yumul was nominated by Saipan Mayor Donald G. Flores in February.
Ramon B. Camacho and Eric Diaz were the only candidates for the three-member council in the November elections.
In case of vacancy, the CNMI Constitution states that “the mayor of the island or islands served by the council shall appoint the unsuccessful candidate for the office in the last election for the council who received the next highest number of votes. Otherwise, the mayor shall appoint a person from the island or islands served with the advise and consent of the legislative delegation of the senatorial district for that island or islands.”
Camacho, the council chairman, said newly elected Northern Islands Mayor Tobias DLC. Aldan should also nominate a council member.
“I think that’s a fair and sound decision,” Camacho said.
Yesterday, in a separate interview, Dwayne Davis, Aldan’s executive secretary, said the Northern Islands mayor supports Flores’ nominee.
Camacho said he has nothing against Yumul but he would like to see a nominee from the Northern Islands.
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