ACTING Gov. David M. Apatang has appointed former Education Commissioner Rita A. Sablan, Ed.D. to the Marianas Public Land Trust board and Northern Marianas College Admission Counselor Victoria Bellas to the Civil Service Commission.
Apatang also appointed Public School System Special Education Program Director Donna Flores to the CNMI Scholarship Board, and former Northern Marianas Protection & Advocacy Systems Inc. Executive Director James M. Rayphand as the new director of the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation.
The appointments of Sablan, Bellas and Flores require the Senate’s consent.
If confirmed by the Senate, Sablan will serve the remaining term of former trustee Maria Frica T. Pangelinan who, together with former trustees Pete Q. Cruz and Martin B. Ada, resigned on Jan. 27, 2023. Pangelinan’s term will expire on Jan. 9, 2024.
Rayphand’s appointment does not require Senate confirmation.
Rayphand has over 21 years of experience in assisting people with disabilities. He also served as vice principal and acting principal of San Vicente Elementary School.
He graduated from Hampden-Sydney College with a bachelor of arts in English, and from the University of Guam with a master’s degree in education with an emphasis in administration and supervision. Rayphand also has an elementary school teacher certification in PRAXIS I and II.
Rita Sablan
