WITH the expiration of the four-year terms of Chairman Ramon A. Tebuteb, Secretary Thomas “Kiyu” Villagomez, and Treasurer Joseph M. Diaz, the Commonwealth Ports Authority Board of Directors will not have a quorum on Oct. 7, 2025.
Antonio B. Cabrera, who was elected vice chairman during the board meeting on Sept. 30, 2025, is expected to serve as acting chairman. Aside from Cabrera, the remaining board members are Dolores Kiyoshi of Tinian and Bart Jackson of Saipan.
Gov. David M. Apatang has nominated Office of the Governor program manager Eusebio M. Manglona to represent Rota on the board, but the Senate has yet to confirm his nomination. The governor also has yet to nominate three others to fill the seats of Tebuteb, Villagomez, and Diaz.
In an interview over the weekend, Cabrera expressed concern about the looming lack of quorum. He said that if an emergency occurs involving airports or seaports in the CNMI, the board will not be able to act. He added that there are also many pressing issues the CPA board must address as soon as possible. That is why he believes the Senate should expedite its action on Manglona’s nomination.
Cabrera also thanked his fellow board members for the confidence they placed in him to serve as the new vice chairman of the board.
