Lt. Gov. Dennis James Mendiola joins senators for a photo op after a special session on Thursday. From left, Sen. Frank Q. Cruz, Sen. Celina Babauta, Senate Floor Leader Donald M. Manglona, Mendiola, Senate President Karl King-Nabors, Sen. Jude U. Hofschneider, Sen. Manny Castro and Sen. Ronnie Calvo. Not in the photo is newly elected Senate Vice President Corina Magofna.
Legislative Bureau photo
THE Senate on Thursday elected a new set of officers, with Tinian Sen. Karl King-Nabors as the new president and Sen. Corina Magofna of Saipan as the new vice president.
Senate Floor Leader Donald M. Manglona and Legislative Secretary Sen. Frank Q. Cruz were retained in their current positions.
Last week, Gov. David M. Apatang appointed former Sen. Paul A. Manglona to fill the Rota seat vacated by former Senate President Dennis James Mendiola, who became lieutenant governor following the death of Gov. Arnold I. Palacios on July 23, 2025.
On Thursday, Sen. Manny Castro of Saipan nominated King-Nabors for the Senate presidency, and Floor Leader Donald Manglona closed the nomination. All seven senators present voted yes. Magofna was excused.
Sen. Jude Hofschneider nominated Magofna for the vice presidency. Floor Leader Manglona closed the nomination, and again, all seven senators present voted yes.
Cruz nominated Donald Manglona to remain as Senate floor leader, and Sen. Ronnie Calvo closed the nomination. All seven senators present voted yes.
Calvo nominated Cruz to remain as legislative secretary, and Hofschneider closed the nomination. All seven senators voted yes.
King-Nabors thanked his fellow senators for their confidence, saying, “It is my distinct honor to serve as the Senate president for the remainder of the 24th Legislature.” He also congratulated the other newly elected members of the Senate leadership.
During the public comment portion of the session, Lt. Gov. Mendiola also congratulated the new Senate leadership. He expressed confidence that they would continue the initiatives started during his tenure as Senate president to support the administration and “try to steer the economy in the right direction.”
Since the 15th Legislature, the Senate has abided by a “gentlemen’s agreement” to rotate the Senate presidency among the three senatorial districts.
Rota’s Mendiola succeeded Saipan’s Edith Deleon Guerrero, while Tinian’s King-Nabors succeeded Mendiola.
‘Not worried’
Sen. Celina R. Babauta poses with former Lt. Gov. Pete A. Tenorio following the state funeral for the late Gov. Arnold I. Palacios at the multi-purpose center in Susupe on Saturday.
Photo by Emmanuel T. Erediano
In an interview, Sen. Celina Babauta said that she and Sen. Paul Manglona get along, but she still anticipates becoming the lone member of the minority bloc. “I have no issues with it,” she said.
She noted that it has long been the pattern in the Legislature to assign leadership positions to members perceived as aligned with the opposition, thereby limiting the opposition’s ability to form a bloc.
She said that if no one supports the bills and initiatives she is pushing, “the people will see those who will oppose them.” Some of her proposals, she added, are intended to lay the foundation for the CNMI’s long-term future.
For example, she is pushing for increased accountability from the U.S. military to the Commonwealth and the people of the Marianas, while also supporting Department of Defense initiatives for national security, she said. In addition, she said she is laying the groundwork for a long-term relationship with Taiwan.
While others are focused on reviving Chinese tourism, Babauta said, “I am trying to steer away from whatever everybody else is doing because we are being redundant in the effort. So let me try to lay a foundation with other nations that are allies of the U.S.”
As for whether she will get support from members of the new Senate leadership, Babauta said, “It depends on the politics.” She noted that in the past, the Senate leadership has sometimes withheld minority bloc members’ bills for political reasons rather than policy-based concerns.
Nevertheless, Babauta said, “I am willing to be the lone voice of logic and reason for the CNMI because our people are a lot smarter than that, and they can see through each of the lawmakers’ politics.”
