Reyes said that, contrary to Demapan’s claim, Demapan was never “fired” from the NMC Board of Regents.
“In fact,” said Reyes, “Demapan was never hired in the first place because he was never actually confirmed by the Senate.”
Reyes previously stated that Demapan’s term simply expired, but in fact the press secretary was mistaken. Former Senate President Juan S. Demapan’s initial nomination to the NMC Board was never actually confirmed by the Senate.
Governor Fitial never sent a re-nomination to the Senate because the first NMC Demapan nomination was never confirmed by the Senate.
“Once confirmed by the Senate, the Governor has no authority to fire a BOR member,” said Reyes.
Reyes said that Demapan’s term with the Board of Regents simply never occurred and that a subsequent nomination was never officially communicated to the CNMI Senate for confirmation because the first nomination was never acted upon.
The Governor cannot re-nominate a member of the NMC Board of Regents if his first nomination was never approved by the Senate.
Governor Fitial nominated Demapan to the NMC Board of Regents after former Regent Agnes McPhetres resigned from office. Fitial submitted Demapan’s nomination to the Senate and was prepared to submit a re-nomination after the initial term expired but then realized that the initial nomination was never approved.
“The Governor still has two NMC Board nominations to make, and I expect him to submit those nominations to the Senate once those two candidates have been identified,” said Reyes.
One board nomination will represent Saipan and the other board nomination will represent the Carolinian community, as required by law.
Reyes said the Administration is grateful for Demapan’s willingness to serve the Northern Marianas College.
“We wish Mr. Demapan well,” said Reyes. “We are sorry the Senate did not act on his nomination.”
