GOVERNOR Arnold I. Palacios and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang, along with other administration officials, lawmakers, and government staff, paid their last respects to former Speaker Oscar Manglona Babauta at Mount Carmel Cathedral on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, the House of Representatives adopted House Resolution 24-6 honoring the life and legacy of Babauta, who also served as Department of Public Lands secretary and the governor’s special assistant for administration.
Babauta passed away on March 17, 2025, at the age of 70. He is survived by his wife, Lolita Mafnas Babauta; children Tricia Ann, Jesse, Oscar Jr., and Janella; reared children Michael and Elaine; and siblings Donald, Yvonne, Vicente, and Ann Doris.
At the cathedral on Wednesday, the governor read the House resolution in honor of Babauta, who was laid to rest at the Mount Carmel cemetery at 11 a.m.
The House resolution “pays tribute to the distinguished life and career of the late Oscar M. Babauta, and honors his memory….” His “admirable career and commendable endeavors profoundly enhanced the quality and character of life in the CNMI.”
The resolution also recognized Babauta’s ability to “skillfully balance his demanding legislative responsibilities while striving to enhance the well-being of his constituents, his precinct and the entire Commonwealth.”
Babauta was elected to the Ninth House of Representatives and reelected to the 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th Houses.
The resolution describes him as “a strong advocate for education, public safety, labor and immigration, telecommunications, and local municipality, the health and welfare of our people, the protection of our lands, natural resources, as well as the advancement of the CNMI’s economy through capital improvement initiatives and the Investment Incentive Act designed to attract investors to the CNMI.”
Gov. Arnold I. Palacios leads CNMI officials in paying tribute to former Speaker Oscar Manglona Babauta during the funeral service at Mount Carmel Cathedral on Wednesday morning.
Contributed photo
Department of Public Safety officers stand guard near the casket of former Speaker Oscar M. Babauta at the entrance of Mount Carmel Cathedral on Tuesday.
Contributed photo
