THE late Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, 69, was laid to rest at the newly opened Marpi cemetery on Saturday.
Gov. David M. Apatang, Lt. Gov. Dennis James Mendiola, U.S. Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds, Senate President Karl King-Nabors, Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez, Chief Justice Alexandro Castro, Presiding Judge Robert C. Naraja, District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona, and other CNMI government officials joined First Lady Wella Palacios, the late governor’s children, and his siblings in his final journey, which began with a state funeral at the multi-purpose center at 9 a.m.
The weather held up during the day, enabling many residents to line the roadside and bid their final farewell. The long funeral convoy passed the administration building on Capital Hill, allowing the late governor’s remains to make a final stop at the place where he served the Commonwealth.
Also in attendance at the funeral, the Mass at Mount Carmel Cathedral, and the burial ceremony were Guam Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero, officials from the Department of Defense and the federal government, and leaders from other Pacific Islands. A much larger crowd — composed of the late governor’s friends, supporters, and members of the community — gathered at the state funeral, the cathedral, and his final resting place.
In his eulogy, Gov. Apatang recalled walking over to Gov. Palacios’ office each morning to discuss the day’s agenda. Fighting back tears, Apatang said, “I never got to do that on July 23.” Palacios passed away that evening.
Apatang said the late governor’s passing brought a sudden silence to their lives. For those in the administration — and, he was sure, for many across the Commonwealth — “the clock stopped, and we felt uncertain, lost, and fully anticipating an explanation for how this could happen to such a humble man.”
Apatang also recalled how Palacios stood by his side when he took the oath of office as lieutenant governor on Jan. 9, 2023.
“I did not have my wife, Toni, beside me, but Governor Palacios stood with me that morning,” he said.
“Now that he is no longer with us, I will always cherish the many memories we shared together as great friends,” Apatang added.
He remembered long talks with Palacios in his small office about how to get the CNMI back on track, fully aware of the challenges ahead — keeping essential services going, paying vendors, utility bills, health and life insurance premiums, ensuring retirees received their pensions on time, maintaining Medicaid for those in need, cutting expenditures, and paying down debt.
Apatang said he often saw “a tired spirit” in Palacios’ eyes but always heard persistence in his voice.
“He never relented,” Apatang said. “He often said he wished our challenges were simpler. He went home tired and came back the next day still exhausted — but he never stopped showing up. He never stopped leading.”
Apatang said he knew that Palacios never wavered from their pact: to rebuild trust in the government.
“He often shared how the Commonwealth was going through difficult times and how that slowed the progress we wanted to make,” Apatang said.
“But he never once doubted that the Commonwealth would return to calmer waters,” Apatang said.
“Governor, you and I walked into the doors of the administration building together on that proud day, Jan. 9, 2023. You left unexpectedly before our term was over. But I promise you this — I will walk out of those same doors when it is time, with you in my heart. Please pray for me to be strong so I can carry on our pact, and I will pray for you, my friend, that God rewards you for all that you did for our Commonwealth.”
A great honor
Guam Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero said it was with great sadness and a heavy heart that she stood to bid farewell to her friend.
“Through the years,” she said, “it has been a great honor to work alongside such a great leader in advocating for and fighting against the challenges facing the Commonwealth and Guam.”
She added, “I have witnessed firsthand his commitment, passion, and love — for his culture, his people, his friends, and his family. I’ve seen his compassion, clarity, and strength in communicating with the U.S. Congress, the White House, and his federal counterparts — whether at the White House, the National Governors Association, or the Pacific Islands Forum. Locally, regionally, and globally, he represented the people of the CNMI amazingly well.”
Leon Guerrero said she was proud and honored to work with Palacios.
“We thank him in many ways,” she said. “When he was advocating for a stronger economy, I was there supporting him. When I was asking for funding for the hospital in Guam, he was right there with me, supporting Guam.”
She pledged continued support for the CNMI’s leaders: “To Governor Apatang and Lt. Governor Mendiola — I promise you, Guam will stand with you. We will continue working together. We cannot be divided. We must be united for the success of our people.”
Officers of the Department of Public Safety carry Gov. Arnold I. Palacios’ casket out of the multi-purpose center in Susupe at the conclusion of the state funeral on Saturday.
Photos by Emmanuel T. Erediano
Gov. David M. Apatang delivers his eulogy.
Guam Gov. Lou Guerrero presents a certificate of condolences to First Lady Wella Palacios.
U.S. Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds of the CNMI and U.S. Congresswoman Aumua Amata of American Samoa express sympathy to First Lady Wella Palacios.
Senate President Karl King-Nabors and House Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez present to First Lady Wella Palacios a framed copy of a joint resolution in honor of the late governor.
First Lady Wella Palacios and her family follow Gov. Arnold I. Palacios’ casket to the hearse after the Christian Mass at Mount Carmel Cathedral.
At the Marpi cemetery, First Lady Wella Palacios and her children bid their final farewell to Gov. Arnold I. Palacios.
