LIEUTENANT Governor Dennis James C. Mendiola’s path to public service was not historically significant — except for the fact that he was born in the Generation X era. He sought the office of the Senate twice and won in the 2022 election. Since January 2023, he has been serving the first half of his term as Senate President. The untimely passing of Governor Arnold I. Palacios catapulted him into the office of Lieutenant Governor — a process too swift to fully assess his competency for the role he now occupies.
So how can the people of the Commonwealth be assured that freshman Senate President Dennis C. Mendiola is capable of meeting the work expectations of the Lieutenant Governor’s office? His ascension was through the applicable provision of the Constitution (Article III, Section 7) rather than by election.
To answer this, we must look at Lieutenant Governor Mendiola’s early life, personality traits, and military service to determine whether he possesses the competencies needed for the job.
Born on March 2, 1980, amidst the vibrant culture of Guam, Mendiola was raised in the serene beauty of Rota. He grew up immersed in traditional Chamorro values of respetu, inafamaolek, and inaguaiya, which instilled in him a deep reverence for his cultural heritage. Guided by his grandparents, Alejo M. Mendiola and Andrea M. Mendiola, he developed a passion for preserving and honoring his roots. Not born with a “silver spoon,” he understands human struggle and values empathy.
The son of Brian M. Mendiola and Evelyn M. Mendiola, with his biological mother being Jocelyn Carol S. Camacho, he was surrounded by love despite the complexity of family dynamics. Growing up in Rota gave him a strong sense of responsibility toward his community, where caring and sharing were not just ideals but daily acts of kindness.
Lieutenant Governor Mendiola and his wife, Ana Maria S. Mendiola, are devoted parents to four children — Brian Anthony, Deseha Iha, Ryder James, and Chanse Ihu — and proud grandparents to Arian Kai C. Mendiola.
Fatherhood was a deliberate choice, but education was his chosen path toward a better future. His high school journey was not without setbacks — attending Dr. Rita H. Inos High School (1994–1995) and Simon Sanchez High School in Guam (1996), he left the traditional school system before graduation. Determined to complete his education, he earned his General Education Diploma from Guam Community College in June 2006, an achievement that reignited his academic ambitions.
In January 2007, he enrolled at the University of Guam, earning a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration with a minor in Military Science in December 2009, graduating with a 3.4 GPA. Not stopping there, in June 2024, he completed a Master of Science in Public Administration, specializing in Human Resources and Organizational Management.
Military Service (2009–2015)
Mendiola’s professional career began in the U.S. Army after completing the Reserve Officer Training Corps program, where he graduated in the top 25% of more than 4,000 cadets. Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant, he served with distinction in various theaters and regions. His assignments demanded excellence, leadership, organizational mastery, and emotional resilience.
Retiring as a Captain in March 2015, Mendiola left the military with a wealth of leadership experience and a proven record of administrative efficiency and accountability.
While his qualifications inspire confidence, it is worth noting that his ascension to Lieutenant Governor was the result of a tragedy — the loss of Governor Arnold I. Palacios. This sudden transfer of power feels both profound and paradoxical. It is almost as if a leader born in the 1950s had a premonition to entrust the care of government to one born in the 1980s. The thought is surreal, yet it leaves us reflecting on the mysterious ways leadership transitions can unfold.
DANIEL O. QUITUGUA
Kanat Tabla, Saipan
