GOVERNOR Arnold I. Palacios has appointed former Rep. Franklin Babauta as special assistant for Homeland Security and Emergency Management, and Diego M. Sablan as special assistant for the Substance Abuse, Addiction and Rehabilitation Program.
Their appointments do not require Senate consent.
A lt. colonel with 25 years of service in the U.S. Army, the Army Reserve and the National Guard, Babauta placed seventh in the 2018 Precinct 1 House race, and filled the seat of then-House Minority Leader Edwin Propst who resigned on Oct. 1, 2020.
Babauta has been deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan and has served on peace-keeping missions to the Philippines, Malaysia, and Australia. He has received several awards for his military service, including a Bronze Star, a meritorious service medal and a North Atlantic Treaty Organization medal, to name a few.
He also taught in the Public School System and served as police sergeant and deputy commissioner of the Department of Public Safety.
Babauta has a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice with a minor in military science from the University of Guam.
Diego M. Sablan, for his part, is an experienced professional with expertise in executive management, operations, and community-based services and programs. He is also a licensed commercial submarine captain.
He owns DM Sablan Holdings Co. LLC, Youth Empowerment Solutions CNMI, and Pacific Drug Testing Services.
A member of the Rotary Club of Saipan, Sablan has also been affiliated with the Saipan Natibu Lions Club, Miracle Hands Charity, and Marianas Behavioral Health International Inc.
Then-Rep. Franklin Babauta smiles after being sworn in as member of the 20th House in November 2020.
