ACTING Gov. David M. Apatang on Monday appointed former Sen. Teresita A. Santos as Department of Public Lands secretary.
Her nomination requires the approval of the Senate.
Santos served in the House of Representatives for two terms representing Rota before she was elected senator. She also served two terms in the Senate.
In the November 2022 election, she ran unsuccessfully for Rota mayor.
In his appointment letter to Santos, the acting governor said he and Gov. Arnold I. Palacios are confident that she is qualified and will be an asset to the CNMI. Her willingness to serve the people is most appreciated, Apatang said.
In his letter to Senate President Edith Deleon Guerrero, he said Santos is qualified to fulfill the vital responsibilities of DPL secretary.
Santos is the latest cabinet appointee of the Palacios-Apatang administration.
The governor has yet to appoint a Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services commissioner and a Department of Public Safety commissioner, but Apatang said last week that Northern Marianas College Dean of Academic Programs Clement Bermudes will be appointed DPS commissioner.
Bermudes, who is also a former chair of NMC’s Criminal Justice Department, is a retired U.S. Army lt. colonel.
Teresita Santos
