GOVERNOR Arnold I. Palacios on Monday nominated Thomas Atalig Manglona to represent Rota on the Commonwealth Casino Commission.
If confirmed by the Senate, Manglona will fill the seat vacated by Martin T. Mendiola, whose term expired on April 30, 2024.
A former Commonwealth Ports Authority’s seaport manager on Rota, Manglona is the governor’s first nominee to the five-seat casino regulatory body, which currently has only three members: the chairman, Edward C. Deleon Guerrero, vice chair Ralph Demapan and commissioner Mario Taitano. All are appointees of former Gov. Ralph DLG Torres.
In his letter to Senate President Edith Deleon Guerrero, the governor said he and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang are confident that Manglona will carry out the commission’s mandates in governing and managing the casino commission.
During the commission’s meeting in July, Taitano raised concern about the lack of casino commissioners following the expiration of the terms of Mendiola and Ramon Dela Cruz of Tinian. Taitano said it is necessary for the governor to appoint new casino commissioners so the commission can continue to pursue its revocation case against Imperial Pacific International.
Deleon Guerrero cited Public Law 18-56, which mandates the governor to appoint casino commissioners.
When asked two weeks ago if he would nominate a casino commissioner, the governor said the casino commission was engaged in a court battle but added that he would “eventually” appoint a new casino commissioner. “It depends on what happens,” he said.
