Maratita succeeds former Rep. Diego T. Benavente whose resignation took effect on Saturday, July 16.
Acting Gov. Eloy S. Inos appointed Maratita to fill the vacancy on Sunday as required by the CNMI Constitution.
“We’re excited and happy that Representative Maratita has accepted the appointment. The appointment is based on the constitutional provision (Article II, Section 9) which says that a vacancy in the Legislature shall be filled by the governor if less than half the term remains, and that’s exactly what we did,” Inos said.
He administered the oath of office to the new Precinct 1 representative with her family, friends and constituents watching from the gallery.
“Representative Maratita was a member of the 14th Commonwealth Legislature, so this is not new territory for her. She can hit the ground running and is willing to work with the other members to face the challenges and issues facing the commonwealth,” Inos said.
Maratita’s son, Joshua, said he is happy for his mother.
“All of her hard work has paid off. Hopefully she can make a difference in the community and in the CNMI,” he said.
He added that his mother will be working even harder this time around, despite being subject to public criticism.
“It comes with politics,” he said.
Department of Public Health’s family planning program manager Arielle Buyum, with whom Maratita worked, expressed support for her former colleague.
“We’ll have an ear here at the Legislature for places that we need help in because we can always use some support,” she said.
Buyum hopes Maratita continues to work toward the decrease of non-communicable diseases in the commonwealth.
Maratita, who ran on the GOP ticket but supported the Covenant gubernatorial team in 2009, said she will not align with any political party, opting to stay “independent.”
She is, however, expected to caucus with the pro-administration House leadership.
She said she will be proposing recycling legislation that will allow consumers to return used bottles to the store, and in turn, receive compensation.
“I introduced the recycling bill in the 14th Legislature, and it passed the House. I hope to finish what I started,” she added.
Maratita expressed her interest in joining the Ways & Means e and the Health & Welfare committees.
She said she wants to work with lawmakers in creating revenue-generating legislation.
Speaker Eliceo D. Cabrera, R-Saipan, said Maratita’s political affiliation will play no part in the House.
“I don’t look at majority and minority, because the people put us here to work, not to choose who will be in the majority or minority blocs,” he told Variety.
“She is here now, and we’re here to work as a team. There’s always room for everyone to participate in every discussion, and I give everyone the opportunity to do that,” he added.
“Politics is done out there. Now, it’s time to work.”
