LIEUTENANT Gov. Arnold I. Palacios said he takes issue with the Torres administration’s failure to invite other CNMI government officials to the groundbreaking ceremony for the divert airfield project on Tinian Tuesday.
“We need to rise above petty politics and allow all leaders to be involved in official CNMI-Federal functions such as the airfield groundbreaking ceremony,” Palacios said in a statement.
“I understand that House Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez, Vice Speaker Blas Jonathan Attao, and Federal/Foreign Relations House Committee Chairman Rep. Vicente Camacho were not invited to the ceremony as well,” Palacios added.
Also “noticeably absent” were the lt. governor himself and U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan.
“I want to take this opportunity to congratulate the people of Tinian on the very momentous occasion,” Palacios said.
“The groundbreaking signifies the start of major military development in Tinian, which will bring with it an abundance of opportunities to Tinian and the Commonwealth as a whole. I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge U.S. Delegate Gregorio Kilili Sablan, who is also a member of the important Committee on Veterans Affairs. Much credit should also be given to former Gov. Benigno R. Fitial and the late Gov. Eloy S. Inos for their leadership during the early stages of the National Environmental Policy Act process,” Palacios added.
Palacios was the secretary of the CNMI Department of Lands and Natural Resources during the divert airfield NEPA review process.
As senator, Palacios said he used his experience as DLNR secretary and director of the CNMI Division of Fish and Wildlife to provide valuable input to the divert airfield environmental impact statement.
Palacios is an independent candidate for governor. His opponents are the incumbent Republican governor, Ralph DLG Torres, and Democrat Rep. Tina Sablan.
Arnold I. Palacios
