The appointment requires the consent of the Senate.
Celes used to be the spokeswoman for the Department of Public Safety and she also served as press secretary of the Babauta administration.
The governor told Celes that he and Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Villagomez are confident that she will make a good DCCA secretary given her vast experience within various government agencies.
“Although your appointment must be confirmed by the Senate, upon acceptance of this appointment, with your experience as director for the Division of Arts and Culture, you will immediately assume the responsibility and position of the secretary in an acting capacity,” the governor said in a letter to Celes.
Celes was told to submit copies of her resumé, statement of financial interests, drug test receipt and results to the Senate Committee on Executive Appointments and Government Investigation.
The governor asked Senate President Pete P. Reyes, R-Saipan, to support Celes’ nomination.
“I respectfully request your favorable action on this appointment,” he said in a separate letter to Reyes.
DCCA’s current acting secretary is former Rep. Melvin O. Faisao.
He became the acting department head after the resignation of Daisy Villagomez-Bier who now works again for Northern Marianas College.
