INDEPENDENT Gov. Arnold Indalecio Palacios and Lt. Gov. David Mundo Apatang will be sworn in at 10 a.m. today, Monday, at the Governor Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-purpose Center in Susupe.
Key officials from the Department of Defense, members of the U.S. Congress and other officials from the federal government’s executive branch are expected to attend the inauguration of the new governor and new lt. governor, according to the transition committee’s inauguration subcommittee vice chairman, former Speaker Oscar M. Babauta.
Babauta said Palacios will be sworn in by Chief Justice Alexandro Castro while Associate Justice John A. Manglona will administer the oath of office to Apatang.
The new governor and new lt. governor will take their oath of office in English.
Over 1,000 people, including dignitaries, families and friends of Palacios and Apatang, as well as members of the community, are expected to attend the inauguration ceremony in person which will also be live-streamed on YouTube and Facebook.
The Department of Public Safety will implement a traffic control plan in the area to ensure the safety of everyone. Motorists traveling north will have to use the inner southbound lane while those headed south will use the outer lane for the duration of the inauguration ceremony which would be done before 12 noon, Babauta said.
He apologized to the members of the incoming Legislature who would have wanted to attend the inauguration of the new governor and lt. governor. The inauguration ceremony for the new House will also start at 10 a.m. while the senators will be sworn in at 11 a.m. These hours are set by law, Babauta said.
He said the inauguration of the new governor and lt. governor must start at 10 a.m. to allow the general public to have lunch after the event.
In addition, it would be cooler in the morning than in the afternoon, he added.
He said they are hoping that they will be given beautiful weather on inauguration day.
The following is the National Weather Service forecast for Saipan on Monday, Jan. 9, 2022:
“Northeast wind 15 to 25 kt with gusts to 35 kt. Wind waves 4 ft. Northeast swell 6 to 8 ft and east 3 ft. Widespread heavy showers and isolated thunderstorms.”
In a separate interview, Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez, Ind.-Saipan, said he would like to express in advance his congratulations to incoming Governor Palacios and Lt. Governor Apatang.
“I wish them all the best, and look forward to working with their administration,” Villagomez added.
Inauguration organizing staff work to complete the temporary stage for the inauguration of Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang at 10 a.m. today, Monday, at the Governor Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe.
The inauguration subcommittee vice chairman, former Speaker Oscar M. Babauta, presents the traffic control plan for the inauguration venue as Department of Public Safety Highway Patrol Lt. Dan Smith looks on.
Arnold I. Palacios
David M. Apatang