Arnold I. Palacios
GOVERNOR Arnold I. Palacios on Friday resubmitted his nominations of Richard Dela Cruz Farrell to the Civil Service Commission and Dwayne L. Maratita to the Marianas Visitors Authority board.
The governor nominated Farrell on April 29, 2024, and Maratita on May 1, 2024, but he had to withdraw the nominations to avoid automatic termination due to the lack of legislative action within 30 days.
In his letters to Senate President Edith Deleon Guerrero, the governor said he was pleased to resubmit his nominations of Farrell and Maratita.
If confirmed, Farrell, a former Department of Lands and Natural Resources resident director on Tinian, will fill the seat of Bernardita C. Palacios, whose six-year term expired on Jan. 9, 2024. Farrell is vice chair of the Western Pacific Regional Fishery Management Council’s CNMI Advisory Panel.
Maratita, who will represent Rota on the MVA board, will serve the remainder of former MVA board member Agida T. Quitugua’s term, which will expire on March 23, 2026. He is a former Department of Community and Cultural Affairs resident director on Rota.
The governor told the Senate president that he and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang are confident that Farrell will be a productive member of the CSC and will fulfill its obligations efficiently.
As for Maratita, Palacios said, he and the lt. governor are confident that the nominee’s membership on an important board is critical, and his appointment will ensure consistency and continuity in fulfilling the goals and objectives of MVA.
