THE Senate Committee on Executive Appointments and Government Investigations held a public hearing on Tuesday to hear and review the credentials of former Speaker Oscar M. Babauta, the governor’s nominee to the board of the Northern Marianas Housing Corp.
Oscar M. Babauta
A former secretary of the Department of Public Lands, Babauta currently chairs the Saipan Higher Education Financial Assistance board.
Several individuals appeared before the Senate panel to express support for his nomination. These included Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang, former Speaker Ralph S. Demapan, NMHC corporate director Jesse Palacios, and NMHC deputy corporate director Zenie Mafnas.
Palacios said the NMHC board has to be ready to implement new programs or to assess the effectiveness of existing programs for maximized assistance to the community.
“We do not have the luxury of time given the challenges that the CNMI faces in terms of our economy and, of course, the labor shortages,” he said.
“We have a good team at NMHC, but we cannot do it alone, without an active and supportive board.”
NMHC appreciates Babauta’s willingness to take on another responsibility by serving as an NMHC board member, said Palacios who added, “most especially to help implement policies that will benefit the most vulnerable of our population: the elderly and disabled individuals, as well as for the benefit of our low-income families.”
Mafnas, for her part, said Babauta is passionate about helping people and serving the CNMI community.
“He has demonstrated [the] traits of a public servant in his career as a legislator and in the private sector,” she said.
Babauta would frequently inquire about housing programs that could help a community member — someone who needed a voice to speak on his or her behalf, she said.
“He recognizes how much of an impact our housing programs have in our community here in the CNMI,” she added.
Mafnas said Babauta is well aware of the issues affecting the CNMI community.
“He keeps himself abreast of current events in the CNMI and is also very knowledgeable [about] the programs NMHC offers,” she said.
“I believe that Mr. Babauta, based on my experiences with him, has the dedication, the commitment, the desire when it comes to public service. He is a goal-oriented individual, a doer, and a go-getter.”
Babauta, she said, will be very instrumental in the continuous implementation of housing community planning and development and disaster recovery programs in the CNMI.
Mayor Apatang, for his part, said he has “worked with Mr. Babauta for a long time as a member of the Legislature and…as chairman of our SHEFA board,” adding that he fully supports the nomination.
CNMI Division of Customs Director Jose C. Mafnas said he is “positive that [Mr. Babauta] can work harmoniously with the other board members in achieving programs that are planned and already in place.”
He added, “I am sure that Mr. Babauta is the right choice to be a part of the NMHC board of directors… I urge your committee to please endorse Mr. Babauta.”
Former Speaker Demapan said Babauta is his mentor.
“I am here because of who he is… I can confidently say this because I know Mr. Babauta: he’s ready,” he said.
Demapan said Babauta is “a very critical thinker” who had played a huge role in obtaining federal funding during previous natural disasters.
Private citizen James Deleon Guerrero said he grew up in the same village as Babauta, adding that the former speaker served as an inspiration to him and to others.
“He continues to progress in terms of being a public servant, being very charismatic, humble and compassionate to other members within my community,” Deleon Guerrero said.
He noted how Babauta has served as a public servant for nearly four decades and has risen through the ranks.
“It is my distinct honor to be here to support his nomination, as well as to humbly ask you, this committee, to endorse his nomination or recommend before the full Senate body to confirm him as a member of the board of directors for the Northern Marianas Housing Corporation,” Deleon Guerrero said.
Public and written comments will be included in the committee report and will be presented before the full Senate before it votes on the nomination.
The committee members are chairman Francisco Cruz, vice chairman Francisco Borja, Senate Vice President Jude Hofschneider, Sens. Justo Quitugua, and Vinnie Sablan.
