Sources said the rejection of Villagomez’s nomination did not come from the Senate Committee on Executive Appointments and Government Investigations so the 90-day period is not considered lapsed yet.
The Senate had 90 days to act on the nomination.
The governor’s office was preparing the draft re-nomination letter that Fitial was expected to sign , Variety was told.
Sen. Frank Q. Cruz, R-Tinian and chairman of the committee, said he has no problem with the governor’s appointees.
But he added that if a nomination was not transmitted to his committee, he cannot act on it.
He noted, however, that the Senate clerk already sent the governor a letter informing him that the Senate rejected Villagomez’s nomination by failing to act on it within the 90-day period.
Cruz said he will still look into the administration’s contention that the nomination expires only if it is transmitted to his committee.
Press Secretary Angel A. Demapan earlier said the administration was disappointed with the Senate’s failure to act on Villagomez’s nomination.
Villagomez, he added, is a valuable asset to the Commonwealth Ports Authority and this is why Fitial and Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos decided to nominate him again.
Historic
In other news, Senator Cruz said it will be historic for Tinian if Fitial considers his and Senate Vice President Jude U. Hofschneider’s recommendation to appoint attorney Ray King Quichocho to fill the slot that will be vacated by Judge Ramona Manglona in Superior Court.
Manglona has been nominated by President Obama to become the federal judge for the CNMI.
Cruz said Tinian is hoping that someone from the island will be part of the CNMI justice system.
