Antonio Cabrera
THE Senate Committee on Executive Appointment and Government Investigations should expedite the confirmation process for Gov. Arnold I. Palacios’ three nominees to the Commonwealth Ports Authority board of directors, CPA board member Antonio Cabrera said on Friday.
He said CPA is in a “very critical situation.”
The three nominees are local businessman Jose C. Ayuyu, retired U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Dolores P. Kiyoshi and Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services Deputy Commissioner Steve Mesngon.
Ayuyu and Kiyoshi will succeed Saipan’s Pete P. Reyes and Tinian’s Kimberlyn King-Hinds whose terms expired on Oct. 7 while Mesngon will fill the seat vacated by Rota’s Barrie Toves, who resigned earlier this year.
During a confirmation hearing in the Senate chamber on Friday, Cabrera told the senators that there are only four members on the CPA board, and if one of them gets sick, there will be no quorum.
If there is an emergency at the airport for example, there wouldn’t be enough board members to make quick decisions and “we might be facing problems,” he said.
“In line with what I just said, I urge that these nominees should come on board once confirmed, ready to serve, so please expeditiously process [their confirmation] so we can continue to do business in CPA and move forward,” Cabrera said.
After hearing the remarks of the nominees, EAGI Committee Chair Celina R. Babauta said they have determined that the nominees have “the right attitude and right fortitude to lead CPA as board members and make sound policy decisions and we are confident that we will advance your nominations to the full Senate for confirmation. I just want to let you know that, ahead of time.”
Prior to the public hearing, Special Assistant for the Administration Oscar M. Babauta formally introduced Ayuyu, Kiyoshi and Mesngon to the Senate committee.
Mr. Babauta said Governor Palacios and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang place their full and complete trust in the nominees.
He said their long professional experiences, credentials and commitment to serve the Commonwealth make them viable candidates, so “we all kindly ask for your expeditious approval, for the administration and our people of the Commonwealth.”
The other committee members present during the public hearing were Senate Vice President Donald Manglona and Sen. Paul A. Manglona.
Senate Floor Leader Corina Magofna was excused.
