Workforce Investment Agency Director Frances A. Torres appears before the Senate Committee on Executive Appointments and Government Investigations on Feb. 19, 2025.
THE Senate on Friday unanimously confirmed the appointment of Workforce Investment Agency Director Frances A. Torres to the Civil Service Commission.
All nine senators voted to adopt the Senate Executive Appointments and Government Investigations Committee report recommending the confirmation of Torres during a session held in the Rota mayor’s conference room.
Sen. Celina Babauta attended the session via Zoom.
Right after the session, Senate President Dennis James Mendiola informed then-acting Gov. David M. Apatang about the confirmation of Torres’ nomination, saying that the “Senate is confident she will carry out her responsibilities to the best of her ability.”
Gov. Arnold I. Palacios was in Washington D.C. last week to attend the Interagency Group for Insular Affairs conference. He’s now back on island.
Sen. Frank Q. Cruz, chair of the EAGI committee, reported that Torres, who was appointed by Palacios on Feb. 3, 2025, answered all the questions raised by members of the committee during a public hearing on Feb. 19, 2025.
Cruz said all required documents in conformance with the Senate rules had been submitted to the committee. Based on the submission of pertinent documents and testimonies, Cruz said the committee concluded that the appointment of Torres to represent Saipan on the CSC “is in accordance with the law, and therefore, the committee consents to her confirmation.”
Chanelle A. Manglona, who worked with Torres at WIA, expressed her support for the nominee, saying she had witnessed firsthand “the incredible impact she has made in our community, particularly with the Public School System and the Northern Marianas Technical Institute.”
Manglona said Torres has consistently been a strong partner in ensuring that individuals in the community are given the tools and opportunities they need to succeed. Her commitment to workforce development and providing support to students and adults has had a significant positive influence, Manglona said.
“She has worked diligently to connect people with resources that lead to career growth and personal empowerment,” Manglona added.
Torres will be sworn in at 1 p.m. on Thursday at the governor’s office.
