SENATE President Dennis James C. Mendiola has asked Gov. Arnold I. Palacios to submit updated documentation pertaining to the appointment of Bridge Capital Vice President Bart A. Jackson to the Commonwealth Ports Authority’s board of directors.
The governor sent Jackson’s nomination to the Senate on Dec. 4, 2024, but the Senate Committee on Executive Appointments and Government Investigation has yet to act on it.
If confirmed by the Senate, Jackson will fill the Saipan seat vacated by former CPA Board Chair Jose C. Ayuyu, who resigned last year after a majority of the board elected Ramon A. Tebuteb as the new chair.
In his letter to the governor last week, Mendiola said upon review of Jackson’s nomination, it was determined that “the submitted documents do not meet the required time frame for consideration.” Mendiola cited the criminal record clearance submittal date of Dec. 18, 2024 exceeded the 30-day grace period.
Regarding Jackson’s statement of financial interest, Mendiola said the Senate received the one for calendar year 2023. He is requesting the statement for calendar year 2024.
The drug test result submitted on Dec. 13, 2024 also exceeded the 30-day grace period, Mendiola said.
“To ensure compliance with the established procedural requirements, I respectfully request that updated documentation be submitted as soon as possible,” the Senate president said.
A longtime resident of the Marianas, Jackson is a former general manager of PIC Saipan and a previous board member of the Marianas Visitors Authority and the Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands. On Guam, he was a board member of the Guam Visitors Bureau and served as chair of the Guam Hotel and Restaurant Association.
Jackson is the governor’s fifth nominee to the CPA board. Palacios’ other appointees are Antonio B. Cabrera, Dolores Kiyoshi and Steve Mesngon.
Tebuteb, Joseph Diaz and Thomas Villagomez were appointed by former Gov. Ralph DLG Torres. Their terms, along with Mesngon’s, will expire on Oct. 7, 2025.
