Chief Justice Alexandro Castro, back to the camera, swears in the new lt. governor, Dennis C. Mendiola, while the newly sworn in governor, David M. Apatang, looks on.
THE CNMI’s 11th governor, David M. Apatang, and 14th lt. governor, Dennis C. Mendiola, were sworn in by CNMI Chief Justice Alexandro Castro on Thursday.
Castro administered the oath of office to an emotional Apatang, the former lt. governor, at 8:15 a.m. in the governor’s conference room on Capital Hill, in the presence of Apatang’s family, office staff, Cabinet members, and other government officials.
In an interview after the ceremony, Apatang said Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, who passed away at a Guam hospital on Wednesday evening, waved to them before being airlifted. “He was waving to us,” Apatang said.
“I did talk to him while we were waiting for medical evacuation. I told him, ‘Governor, go and get yourself taken care of. We will be praying for you.’ He just nodded. He was conscious.”
Before taking his oath, Apatang addressed the room: “Today is a very sad day for the Commonwealth, with the passing of our Governor.”
He said he had been at the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. the entire time Palacios was there on Wednesday. “Around 10:30 p.m., I got a call from the governor’s family informing me that he didn’t make it out of surgery [on Guam],” Apatang said. “I was very sad. I couldn’t sleep last night. I ask the people to continue praying for him, his family, and his children.”
Apatang, 77, acknowledged the heavy burden now placed on his shoulders, but he pledged to continue serving the CNMI with determination.
“I will work my butt off to continue serving our people here in the Commonwealth,” he said.
He praised the late governor’s leadership.
“Those were hard times when we came in, but we managed to maintain what needed to be done,” Apatang said. He vowed to continue the administration’s economic agenda, but also said, “If there’s something that needs to be changed, we’ll work on it.”
He called on the Legislature to work with his administration to “move the Commonwealth forward for our people.”
United voice
U.S. Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds expressed her condolences in a letter to Apatang.
“I was heartbroken to learn of the governor’s passing,” she wrote. “Governor Palacios was, above all else, a good man — steadfast in his service to the people and deeply committed to the well-being of the islands.”
She pledged her full support to Apatang during this difficult transition.
“I know this moment comes with immense weight, and I offer any assistance you may need as you help guide the Commonwealth forward. In honoring Governor Palacios’ memory, I reaffirm my commitment to working together to ensure a steady and united voice for the CNMI,” she said.
‘A great loss’
The CNMI Senate issued a statement Wednesday night:
“With deep sadness, Senate President Dennis C. Mendiola and the members of the 24th Commonwealth Senate extend their heartfelt condolences to the family of the Honorable Governor Arnold I. Palacios, who passed away last night in Guam.
“On behalf of the Senate, we express our deepest sympathies to the Palacios family. Governor Palacios was a dedicated public servant, and his passing is a tremendous loss to our Commonwealth.
“Now is the time for unity and compassion. We ask everyone in the CNMI to come together in prayer and support for the Governor’s family. Let us honor his memory and the service he gave to our islands.”
Former Gov. Juan N. Babauta, chairman of the CHCC board of trustees, also expressed sympathy.
“It’s always sad to lose a tremendous leader who has dedicated his life to public service,” Babauta said. “It was surely an honor to work with Governor Palacios. He was a good friend to me and my family. This is a great loss for all of us.”
Heavy hearts
Oregon Governor Tina Kotek also issued a statement:
“It is with heavy hearts that we mourn the passing of Governor Arnold Palacios of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, who died unexpectedly yesterday.
“Governor Palacios held a special place in Oregon’s heart as a proud alumnus of Portland State University, and his connection to our state created lasting bonds between Oregon and the CNMI.
“Throughout his three decades of distinguished public service, he exemplified integrity, compassion, and unwavering commitment to his people. The First Lady and I extend our condolences to First Lady Wella Palacios, their family, and the entire Commonwealth during this time of profound loss.”
