By Emmanuel T. Erediano
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Variety News Staff
THE Senate on Friday unanimously confirmed Gov. David M. Apatang’s reappointments of CNMI Scholarship Board members Donna M. Flores and Monique B. Sablan.
Flores and Sablan, both representing Saipan, currently serve as chair and vice chair of the board.
A former acting education commissioner, Flores is the director of the Public School System’s Special Education Program, while Sablan is the director of the Community Development Institute at Northern Marianas College.
All senators present voted to adopt the report of the Senate Committee on Executive Appointments and Government Investigations recommending the confirmation of Flores and Sablan.
Special Assistant for Administration John Paul Reyes, on behalf of the governor and Lt. Gov. Dennis James Mendiola, expressed appreciation for the favorable consideration of the governor’s renomination and thanked the Senate committee for acting on the appointments, which he said move the administration forward in addressing vacancies in boards and commissions.
Reyes also thanked the nominees for accepting additional responsibility in serving the Commonwealth.
Senate EAGI Committee Chairman Frank Q. Cruz informed his colleagues that the committee conducted public hearings on the nominees’ appointments, during which issues and recommendations were raised. He said all required documents, in compliance with Senate rules, had been submitted to the committee.
Based on these documents and written testimonies, Cruz said the committee concluded that the reappointments of Flores and Sablan are in accordance with the law. He added that the committee recommended confirmation and asked his colleagues for support in adopting the report.
Prior to the roll-call vote, Senate President Karl King-Nabors thanked Flores and Sablan for continuing to serve the community in their capacities as board members. “These are trying times, and we appreciate everyone who is helping,” he said.
The other members of the CNMI Scholarship Board are Dr. Elizabeth Emma C. Itibus, Diana B. Hocog, and Patricia S. San Nicolas.
Emmanuel “Arnold” Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.
