GOVERNOR Arnold I. Palacios on Wednesday last week appointed former Rep. Alvaro Santos and Tinian businessman Phillip Mendiola-Long to the Marianas Public Lands Trust’s board of trustees.
Santos will serve the remaining term of Martin B. Ada while Mendiola-Long will complete the term of Pete Q. Cruz.
Ada and Cruz, who represented Saipan and Tinian respectively on the MPLT board, submitted their courtesy resignations to the governor two weeks ago.
The four-year terms of Ada and Cruz will expire on Jan. 9, 2024.
Former Sen. Maria Frica T. Pangelinan has also resigned but the governor has yet to appoint her successor.
Aubrey Hocog, who represented the Commonwealth Economic Development Authority on the MPLT board, is now Rota mayor.
MPLT Chairman Vianney Hocog, who represents Rota, has not turned in his courtesy resignation.
MPLT is an autonomous government entity whose board members serve a fixed term.
In his letter to Senate President Edith Deleon Guerrero, Gov. Palacios said he has every confidence that Santos and Mendiola-Long will “conscientiously devote their time and efforts in the best interests of all our people.”
Their appointments require Senate approval.
Other appointments
The governor also appointed Pedro Itibus to the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.
Palacios told the Senate president that he is confident that Itibus “will conscientiously devote his time and efforts in the best interests of all our people.”
If confirmed by the Senate, Itibus, who represents Saipan and the Carolinian community, will fill the remaining vacant seat on the CUC board and will serve a four-year term.
The other CUC board members are Janice A. Tenorio, Donald Browne and Allen Perez. They have not resigned.
The governor also appointed Joseph Patrick P. Fitial to the Civil Service Commission to represent Saipan. If confirmed by the Senate, he will serve a six-year term.
Alvaro Santos
Phillip Mendiola-Long
