Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality Administrator Eliceo Diaz Cabrera, standing, 3rd left, attends a celebration of Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang’s birthday on July 10, 2024, at J’s Restaurant in Gualo Rai. Also in photo are Department of Public Works Secretary Ray N. Yumul, left, then-Special Assistant for Military Affairs Danny Aquino, second left, Apatang’s staff member George Camacho, second right, former Rep. Claudio Norita, right, and Rotary Club of Saipan President Joann Aquino, seated next to Apatang.
Contributed photo
BUREAU of Environmental and Coastal Quality Administrator Eliceo Diaz Cabrera passed away at around 7 p.m. on Sunday at the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. He was 67.
Cabrera, who was battling pancreatic cancer, will be missed by his former colleagues in the 17th Legislature (2010-2013), according to Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez.
“I would like to extend my prayers and condolences to his wife, children, and their families,” Villagomez said.
“I have had the honor and privilege to serve with him in the 17th Legislature. He took over as speaker after the late Gov. Froilan C. Tenorio stepped down. He is a good man who served the CNMI well. He is greatly missed,” Villagomez said.
Commonwealth Ports Authority Board Chair Ramon A. Tebuteb, who was also a former member of the 17th House of Representatives said, “Speaker Cabrera was a man of his words. Straight up, but very flexible to also hear your side of any issues. He was a big guy with a big heart. He was very passionate about seeking amicable and collective resolution. I saw a man committed to assisting our community.”
“I will miss his stories. I will miss his jokes. My heartfelt condolences to his loving wife Vicky, family, and his clan. Rest in peace, Speaker,” Tebuteb said.
Department of Public Works Secretary Ray N. Yumul, who also served with Cabrera in the 17th Legislature, said he will miss the former speaker, who was part of their regular early morning coffee meetings with Lt. Gov. David Apatang at J’s Restaurant in Gualo Rai.
He said working with Cabrera in the House of Representatives “was a smooth and open experience, as I recollect.”
“He made significant efforts to bring together the Covenant, Independent, and NMI Republican Party members of the House to work harmoniously for the betterment of the Commonwealth. His efforts are truly commendable,” Yumul said.
“Eli was voted in as speaker to replace then-Rep. and former Gov. Froilan Tenorio, who stepped down about halfway into our legislative term due to frustration over a stalled bill and the Legislature’s failure to pass a balanced budget, which led to a partial government shutdown. Eli stepped in, and through his leadership, we finally managed to pass a balanced budget. By the end of our term, we had passed a total of 92 House and Senate bills, showing his dedication and effectiveness,” Yumul said.
He said Cabrera did not play politics with legislation introduced by minority members.
“One such important piece of legislation enacted was P.L. 17-61, which officially established the CNMI Veterans Cemetery. Last year, DPW faced an issue with the CNMI’s only U.S. EPA-permitted landfill due to the lack of a proper financial assurance mechanism, given our government’s dire financial situation. Eli, as the administrator of BECQ, and I worked together collaboratively to resolve it without burdening taxpayers, highlighting his practical and cooperative approach,” Yumul said.
Cabrera was the budget officer in the administration of Gov. Froilan C. Tenorio before he became the special assistant for management and budget. He was elected to the 17th House and became the speaker when Tenorio, who was then the speaker, stepped down.
Cabrera also served as Parks and Recreation director in Gov. Eloy S. Inos’ administration.
Honoring a legacy of service and leadership
The governor’s office issued the following statement on Monday:
“The administration of Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang extends its deepest sympathies and condolences to the family of the late Honorable Eliceo Diaz Cabrera, on his untimely passing. Former House Speaker and Administrator of the CNMI Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality, Cabrera was a distinguished leader and public servant whose unwavering commitment to the CNMI and its people has left an indelible mark.
“Speaker Cabrera’s tenure as the Speaker of the 17th CNMI House of Representatives was marked by his esteemed leadership, strategic vision and personal mission of fostering unity and progress across the islands through education and economic legislation. Throughout seven years of service as BECQ Administrator, Speaker Cabrera displayed such dedication towards the protection and preservation of the CNMI’s environment and the health and well-being of its community. Speaker Cabrera was more than a leader; he was a visionary who cared deeply for the land and the people of the CNMI.
“The CNMI extends its heartfelt condolences to Speaker Cabrera’s family, friends, and all those whose lives he touched. As we mourn his loss, we also celebrate the immense contributions he made to our community and commit to honoring his memory through continued progress and stewardship.
“We extend our special condolences to his wife, Victoria, and his children. Our thoughts and prayers are with them as they navigate these challenging times.”
Cabrera belongs to the clan of Prudencio Cabrera, who served as village commissioner of San Vicente during the Trust Territory administration. His father, Juan LG Cabrera, was a member of the Marianas District Legislature.
On his mother’s side, Eliceo Cabrera was a nephew of Saipan’s fourth mayor, Vicente Kilili Diaz Sablan, and his mother was the cousin of Saipan’s sixth mayor, Francisco Manibusan Diaz. On the Diaz side, Eli Cabrera was related to former Gov. Benigno R. Fitial, whose mother belonged to the Diaz clan of Saipan.
The former speaker’s only surviving uncle is Lorenzo LG Cabrera. They are all related to the other Cabrera clans on Saipan, which include Ti’an and Potu.
