Liberation Day committee public information officer Tony Benavente, who also works for the mayor, said Tudela has served the community for “30 solid long years.”
Tudela served as village commissioner in Garapan for two terms, and was also elected as chief village commissioner.
Before he became mayor in 2002, Tudela served as member of the House of Representatives in the 3rd and 4th Legislatures and became vice speaker.
A long-time Democrat, Tudela was the running mate of former Gov. Carlos S. Camacho in the 1985 gubernatorial election. They lost to the GOP team of Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio and Lt. Gov. Pete A. Tenorio.
Tudela, who was re-elected mayor in 2005 on the Covenant Party slate, also served as Board of Education member for four years and became its chairman.
For three years, Tudela served as a Northern Marianas College regent.
Isidoro T. Cabrera, 2009 Liberation Day committee vice chairman, told Variety it was their consensus to name Tudela as grand marshal because “he deserves” it.
Tudela’s term as mayor ends in January and he can no longer run for re-election.
In related news, Benavente said the Palauan community has expressed strong interest in joining the 2009 Liberation Day Queen pageant.
The committee is also expecting representatives from the Indian community and from other ethnic groups, Benavente said.
During the committee meeting on Wednesday, the group decided to set the parade time at 2 p.m.
The starting point is outside the National Office Supply and the parade will end at the Garapan Fishing Base, Cabrera said.
He said the committee asked the U.S. military on Guam to send aircraft for a “flyover” during the parade.
The U.S. Navy was also invited to participate in the parade.
Today, Benavente said the construction of the booths at the Liberation Day carnival grounds in Garapan will begin.
The committee is expecting to have 30 booths that will sell food and drinks.
Benavente said they are still waiting for additional funding from the Saipan legislative delegation.
Currently, he added, the committee has $45,000 in available funds.
