SEVERAL current and former CNMI officials have expressed support for the nomination of Danny Iwashita Aquino Jr. as member of the Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Council.
The non-partisan council is supposed to have three members, but there were only two Saipan and Northern Islands council candidates in the 2020 elections: incumbent members Ana D. Castro and Antonia M. Tudela.
Under the CNMI Constitution, the mayor can fill a vacancy on the council with the consent and approval of the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation.
On Tuesday, the delegation’s Judiciary and Governmental Operations Committee chaired by Sen. Edith Deleon Guerrero conducted a public hearing on Aquino’s nomination.
In an interview, Saipan Mayor David M. Apatang said he nominated Aquino, the NMI Museum director, because “I know that he is very hardworking and a doer. He is a professional, and he has the experience in working with others.”
Also expressing support for Aquino’s nomination was former Gov. Benigno R. Fitial.
He said he has known Aquino Jr. since he was born, adding that he, Fitial, and the nominee’s father, Danny Aquino Sr., were schoolmates at Mount Carmel in the early 1960s, and they both attended the Territorial College of Guam, which is now the University of Guam.
“I strongly believe from my long and close relationship with Danny Jr. that he is a person of integrity and dignity,” Fitial said. “I find him also to be a ‘solution’ person who will make time to help solve problems instead of being part of the problem.”
Fitial said he was very impressed with Aquino Jr.’s accomplishments after taking over the NMI Museum in May 2017.
He also noted that the museum’s budget went down to $109,660 from $267,709 this year, but Aquino was able to resolve a lot of problems at the museum.
These included a lack of running water, severe leaks in the roof, a dilapidated old Japanese laboratory, the absence of an official tour guide and inadequate storage for artifacts.
Former Sen. Juan Morgen P. Tenorio said he has known Aquino Jr. and his family since the nominee was child.
Tenorio said Aquino Jr. came from an educated, respected and respectful family.
He said if Aquino Jr. is confirmed as a council member, he will have more opportunities to help to the community.
Saipan Higher Education Financial Assistance Board Chairman Oscar M. Babauta, a former House speaker, said the word “mission” best describes Aquino Jr. who embodies a lot of things such as accomplishment, encouragement, perseverance, honesty and hard work.
Babauta said Aquino Jr. is capable “as we have seen in his outstanding performance at the museum.”
Aquino Jr. said he was very thankful to all those who expressed support for his nomination.
“They’ve known me since I was a kid,” he added. “They’ve watched me grow and progress in life and in my every endeavor. They were there to stand by me and support me, and that is one of the things I appreciate. And even though my dad is not here, I know my dad is in them.”
Former Gov. Benigno R. Fitial, left foreground, appears before the Judiciary and Governmental Operations Committee of the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation on Tuesday to express support for Danny Aquino’s nomination to serve on the Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Council.
Photo by Emmanuel T. Erediano
Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Council nominee Danny Aquino Jr. second right, poses with family members, supporters and friends who include former Gov. Benigno R. Fitial, center, Sen. Edith Deleon Guerrero, fourth right, Vice Speaker Blas Jonathan Attao, fourth left, Saipan Mayor David Apatang, left, Rep. Sheila Babauta, second left, municipal council chair Ana D. Castro, fifth left, author Marie Castro, former first lady Josie Fitial, and Matua Council for Chamorro Advancement president Liana S. Hofschneider in the lobby of the legislative building on Tuesday.
Photo by Emmanuel T. Erediano
