The 23rd Senate holds its inaugural session Monday with a new president, Saipan’s Edith Deleon Guerrero.
From left, Senate Vice President Donald Manglona, Sen. Karl King-Nabors, Sen. Paul Manglona, Senate Floor Leader Corina Magofna, Sen. Celina Babauta, Senate President Edith Deleon Guerrero, Sen. Frank Cruz, Sen. Jude Hofschneider and Sen. Dennis Mendiola.
THE 23rd Senate made history on Monday by electing the CNMI’s first female — and Democrat — Senate president: Edith Deleon Guerrero of Saipan.
Also elected unanimously were Donald M. Manglona, Ind.-Rota, as Senate vice president; Corina L. Magofna, Ind.-Saipan, floor leader; and Celina R. Babauta, D-Saipan, legislative secretary.
The other member of the new Senate leadership is Sen. Paul A. Manglona, Ind.-Rota, who was first elected to the Senate in 1987, making him the CNMI’s longest serving lawmaker.
The minority bloc members are Sens. Jude U. Hofschneider, R-Tinian; Frank Q. Cruz, R-Tinian; Karl King-Nabors, R-Tinian; and Dennis C. Mendiola, R-Rota.
The senators were sworn in by Presiding Judge Roberto C. Naraja.
The 23rd Senate also has the largest number of female members in CNMI history. It is also the first time in the CNMI history that all Saipan senators are women.
Humbling experience
In her remarks, Deleon Guerrero said her past two years as Saipan senator has been a humbling experience. Though it may have been rough at times and lonely, the people’s encouragement and support have made her determined to continue to represent their interest.
She said she will stay focused on the issues facing the Commonwealth and its people.
Economic initiatives for revenue creation that are viable for the Commonwealth must be explored, she said, and federal relations and discussions of mutual benefit must be pursued actively and continuously.
Season of change
Senate Vice President Manglona said, “Today officially marks the start of the new season. A new season of change and optimism for our people.”
But he said the islands are again faced with economic uncertainty. “As we witnessed millions of dollars questionably spent, it is concerning that the federal dollars that could have helped everyone and not just a few are running out. We have approached the fiscal cliff,” he added.
“It is now their duty to find solutions to ensure that the CNMI government can provide essential services and protect the well-being of the people,” he said.
“Our journey is far from over and there’s still much work to be done, but one thing that has been constant is my passion and determination to continue fighting to improve the lives of everyone that calls our great Commonwealth home,” he said.
Sacred trust
Babauta said they “have been given a sacred trust to work for our communities and our families.”
She said she will discharge this trust through legislative policy guided by three principles — “doing what is right, doing my best and doing what is just.”
The Commonwealth, she said, “is drifting toward the reef with no rescue in sight. The challenge to restore confidence in the government is daunting, but we must demand these principles not as partisan goals, but as moral mandates.”
She said political affiliation is “irrelevant to the daunting task at hand.”
She added, “We must put away our Republican and Democrat guidons and hoist to full staff our flags of the U.S.A and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. We will get to the challenges of 2023 one step at a time, one foot in front of the other. But our challenges are not over. In extraordinary times, only courageous leaders who are willing to walk in the fire at the risk of getting scorched will put our islands and its citizens as priorities before any political party. I stand ready to do that.”
‘Servant leader’
Senate Floor Leader Magofna vowed to be a “servant leader” — someone who puts the needs, growth and well-being of followers first.
“To the people of the CNMI, thank you for believing in me and having trust in me to be your voice and represent your best interest. I am truly humbled and honored to hold this very prestigious seat for I know that this seat is a privilege and not a right,” she added.
The people’s demand
Sen. Paul A. Manglona thanked the people of the Commonwealth, and most especially Rota “for taking the time to share with us their thoughts and concerns during the last election.”
“Our people demanded that our Legislature uphold its constitutional mandate and conduct more oversight hearings to ensure that we deliver information to our people in a way that creates transparency, full accountability and good governance,” he said. “Our people demanded that the Legislature provide them with information on allocation of limited resources, government spending, public services and infrastructure. Our people demanded that the Legislature strengthen our sunshine laws to ensure government activities are conducted in [an] open and ethical nature. Finally, our people made it known loud and clear last November that we work for them and we must never forget that.”
New beginning
Hofschneider said, “Today marks the new beginning in our islands. Many new faces are entering the service as an elected public official and a few of us are given another opportunity to serve once again.”
He said economic diversity is a must. Tourists will be back, but “it is not going to happen as quickly as we want and needed to be. So what can we do? I wish to share what previous leaders did years ago. They were engaged in the possibility of blueprints turned to footprints,” he added, referring to the military buildup on Tinian and the construction of a U.S. Air Force divert airfield there.
‘I will honor the trust’
Cruz wished the new Senate president and the other new officers the very best “for the betterment of one Commonwealth and our people.”
He said as a reelected senator of Tinian, “I will honor the trust of my family and the people of Tinian through stringent legislative policies and quality services to our people.”
He said he is a firm believer in the rights of people and he will always base his decision on what is best and what is right for them.
Privilege
King-Nabors said there is no greater honor bestowed upon him than the privilege to serve the people of the CNMI and Tinian. Over the course of these past two years, he said every decision and vote he has cast has been guided by what can improve the lives of the people he has sworn to serve.
“We all know that the next two years are going to be quite challenging,” he added. “It is my deepest hope that we come together and prioritize figuring out how are we going to keep crucial federal funding, employment, services and programs in the absence of federal funds. Because at the end of the day, that is what I care about — to help people put food on the table and pay our retirees 100%.”
Loyalty to people
Mendiola said if he were to follow “the culture of political decision, I would be impeding my ability and desire to work with all the members of the Senate and the House. Therefore, I am dedicated to work collaboratively with the senators and House members, to use our collective knowledge and skills to improve the quality of life for the CNMI.”
He said there are people in the CNMI who are stressed and worried because of economic uncertainty.
He noted that the federal financial assistance made available by the American Rescue Plan Act will expire soon.
The Senate, he said, cannot afford to be divided, Mendiola said.
“As a former Philippine president said, when loyalty to the people begins, loyalty to the party must end. This moment, regardless of political affiliation, in the interest of the people of the CNMI, the interest of the CNMI is the top priority.”
