Thomas A. Manglona appears before the Senate Committee on Executive Appointments and Governmental Investigation during a public hearing in the Rota Mayor’s Office conference room on Friday.
ROTA residents at a public hearing on Friday expressed support for Thomas A. Manglona, who was nominated by Gov. Arnold I. Palacios to the Commonwealth Casino Commission.
There is no operating casino on Saipan, but the commission’s chairman, Edward C. Deleon Guerrero, has stressed the importance of having a quorum so they can proceed with the revocation hearing against Imperial Pacific International for failing to meet its obligations to the government.
Right now, besides Deleon Guerrero, who is from Saipan, the commission has two other members, who are also from Saipan: Vice Chairman Ralph S. Demapan and Commissioner Mario Taitano.
Three constitute a quorum, but Deleon Guerrero has recused himself from the revocation proceedings to serve as an advocate for the commission’s executive director, Andrew Yeom, who filed a complaint against IPI for its failure to pay the casino license and regulatory fees.
On Friday morning, the Senate Committee on Executive Appointments and Governmental Investigation chaired by Sen. Celina R. Babauta conducted a public hearing on Manglona’s nomination to CCC in the Rota Mayor’s Office conference room.
Special Assistant for Administration Oscar M. Babauta introduced Manglona to the committee and expressed his support for him on behalf of the governor and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang.
Also expressing support for Manglona are Rota Casino and Gaming Commissioner Mateo Santos, former CCC member Justin Manglona, Rota residents Oscar Quitugua, Jim Atalig, Raymond C. Castro and Ivan Mereb Jr.
Santos said he has known Thomas Manglona for many years, as director of Labor and Immigration and as Commonwealth Ports Authority ports manager. With all these experiences, Thomas Manglona is more than qualified to serve as a CCC member, Santos said, adding that the nominee also intends to assist the Rota gaming commission.
Like Santos, Atalig said he is “pretty sure” that with all his experiences, Thomas Manglona is the right candidate for the position. “I know he will not fail us. He is going to make the right decision as … a gaming commissioner,” Atalig said.
Justin S. Manglona said as a former CCC commissioner, he understands the necessity to have a quorum so CCC can move forward with the revocation hearing. Currently, he also noted, all the CCC members are from Saipan.
Mereb said, he has full faith and confidence in Thomas Manglona. “He is one of the most compassionate individuals on Rota,” he added.
Senator Babauta said her committee also received written testimonies from Rota Mayor Aubry Hocog, Rep. Julie Ogo and Department of Public Lands Secretary Teresita Santos — all of whom also support Thomas Manglona’s nomination.
Aside from Senator Babauta, the other EAGI committee members present during the public hearing were Senate Vice President Donald Manglona, Sen. Paul A. Manglona and Sen. Jude Hofschneider, who attended via Zoom.
