THE Senate Committee on Executive Appointments and Government Investigations will conduct a public hearing at 10 a.m. today, Thursday, Nov. 3, at the Tinian Court House, on Gov. Ralph DLG Torres’ nomination of Jonathan C. A. Manglona of Tinian as member of the Commonwealth Election Commission.
The committee is chaired by Sen. Francisco Q. Cruz and its members are vice chair Sen. Victor B. Hocog, Sen. Karl King-Nabors, Senate Vice President Justo S. Quitugua, and Senate Floor Leader Vinnie F. Sablan.
Various witnesses are requested to be present to provide comments during the public hearing. Among the witnesses are Tinian Mayor Edwin P. Aldan, members of the Tinian Municipal Council, CEC Executive Director Kayla S. Igitol, and election commission members.
In an interview with Variety on Wednesday, Igitol said: “Right now, because the second senatorial district [Tinian] only has one commissioner, which is Mr. John Attao, in the event that something happens and he is not able to come, our board [would not have a] quorum, because we need every senatorial district to be represented.”
The other commissioners are chair Jesus I. Sablan, Doris Ann Aldan-Atalig, Jesus C. Cepeda, vice chair Esther Yatar and Leilanie I. Manglona.
“The [CEC] board’s main responsibility is for the tabulation, and that is not until Nov. 8,” said Sablan in an interview with Variety on Tuesday.
But he said one of the election commissioners is anticipated to go on medical leave on Monday, Nov. 7, which will leave five commissioners for tabulation if Manglona is not confirmed by the Senate.
“We definitely need at least one more, especially for Tinian, so that we will have at least six in case one [commissioner] cannot make it,” Sablan said. “Right now, it looks like we will only have five for this coming Nov. 8, unless Tinian’s appointee is confirmed before the election, so that’s very critical…. [W]e need five to conduct a hearing or to have quorum, and [we also need] at least one representative from Tinian and Rota. That’s according to the law,” Sablan also said.
He added, “I’m pretty sure we will have [a] quorum. I, myself, was supposed to step down back in July, but I’ve decided to continue serving until this election is done and move on from there…. I would really feel bad if the election was jeopardized because of my resignation, so, if my health holds up, then I will be there.”
Private citizens are also welcome to provide comments during the Senate EAGI Committee public hearing for Manglona’s nomination.
The Senate is likewise scheduled to hold a full session today, Thursday at 1:30 p.m. at the Tinian Court House.
At 10 a.m. Thursday, the Rota Legislative Delegation will meet in the Rota mayor’s conference room.
