In an interview yesterday, the committee chairman, Frank Q. Cruz, said Tan, whose family owns several hotels on Saipan, did not do a good job in promoting Tinian and Rota.
Tan was nominated by Gov. Benigno R. Fitial, a former Tan Holdings executive.
Citing Fitial’s line-item veto of the Senate proposal to appropriate $360,000 for the Rota charter flight subsidy and the promotion of Tinian, Cruz said these would not have been necessary if Tan was helping tourism on Rota and Tinian.
During yesterday’s session, the Senate voted 9-0 to reject Tan’s appointment.
The Senate rejection of a gubernatorial nominee is a rare occurrence in the CNMI.
“While Mr. Tan is a talented and experienced businessman and a valued member of our community through charitable works, [the] committee finds that a new MVA chairman must be able to provide undivided attention to the board,” the panel said.
“We also believe that his (Tan) lack of attention to tourism on Rota and Tinian is a direct result of his inability to provide the time necessary,” the panel added.
Its members are Sens. Juan M. Ayuyu, Ind.-Rota; Jovita M. Taimanao, Ind.-Rota; Senate Vice President Jude U. Hofschneider, R-Tinian; and Senate Floor Leader Pete P. Reyes, R-Saipan.
Fitial submitted his nominations to the committee two months ago, but Cruz later announced that they would not confirm any of the governor’s nominees unless he considered “proper representation” for Rota and Tinian.
Fitial then withdrew his nominations to avoid the 90-day deadline for the Senate confirmation. He re-submitted the nominations recently.
Aside from Tan, Fitial reappointed Jesus I. Sablan to the Commonwealth Election Commission and Jerry P. Crisostimo to the Retirement Fund board. The governor also appointed Eric Plinske to the Civil Service Commission and Nacrina Barcinas to the Fund board.
