Members of the 20th Youth Congress pose for a photo with U.S. Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds, Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez, Senate President Dennis James Mendiola, Chief Justice Alexandro Castro, Board of Education Chairman Kodep Ogumoro-Uludong, BOE member Andrew Orsini, and Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Councilwoman Carmen C. Pangelinan during the inaugural session on Saturday in the House chamber.
Photo by Emmanuel T. Erediano
VINNIE Juan Quitugua Sablan of Kagman High School was reelected speaker of the Youth Congress on Saturday in the House chamber.
Marianas High School’s Monique Lou’isa Pangelinan Mendiola was elected vice speaker; Grace Christian Academy’s Ayden Sean Camacho Yumul, floor leader; and Saipan International School’s Victor Nash Maniego Santos, secretary.
The committee chairs of the 20th Youth Congress are:
Mount Carmel School’s Christopher James Noisom Dela Cruz, Ways and Means chair; Saipan Southern High School’s Matthew Jocson Salas, Economic Development and Tourism chair; Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Jr./Sr. High School’s Edward Ulloa Maratita, Health and Welfare; Yumul, Education chair; SIS’s Santos, Sports and Recreation chair; Tinian Jr.-Sr. High School’s Jireth Anna Cabantog Cruz, Judiciary and Governmental Operations; and Mendiola, Youth Activities chair.
The youth senators were sworn in by CNMI Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexandro Castro. Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez served as speaker pro tempore with Senate President Dennis James Mendiola joining him on the dais.
U.S. Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds delivered inspirational remarks.
In his speech, Sablan said: “This past two years, Youth Congress has reshaped me, to say the least. And I feel so much about the real impact that we as young people can make.”
He said serving the CNMI youth has been one of his best experiences. He told his fellow youth senators that, “This is our vision, we are the voices with purpose, and we are the ones who refuse to stay quiet.” He promised to always represent the youth and the community with integrity, dedication and positivity.
He said the Youth Congress has already hit the ground running. “We have represented our islands in conversations about how we can sustain our future. And that work will only continue. I know that we have so many ideas and exciting things that we will work to implement and bring to life and I am so excited for the journey that we all have ahead,” he added.
Mendiola promised to “amplify student voices, advocate for meaningful change and foster a cultured inclusivity leadership and service across our islands.”
She said she is committed to listening with empathy while representing the youth’s concerns with integrity and working tirelessly to ensure that the Youth Congress is not only a platform for dialogue.
Yumul said that, as the young leaders of the Commonwealth, their combined voices, efforts and advocacy will not only benefit them today, but will also help build a better CNMI for generations to come.
Together, he said, tackling significant issues in the CNMI that their peers are facing today — such as mental health, cultural preservation, drugs and alcohol abuse, education, teen dating violence and bullying, just to name a few — will help create a safer, culturally protected and healthier Commonwealth.
Santos said he was still in awe that he will get to work alongside “brilliant, dedicated people who care deeply about making the community better, not just in words, but in action.”
“To be honest, I used to think that the Youth Congress was only for Chamorros, that there wasn’t really a space for someone like me. But here I am now standing before you as the only full Filipino in the 20th Youth Congress. And honestly, that means so much to me. It does not matter where you come from, what your last name is or what language you grow up speaking at home. What matters is we are here to lead, to represent and to serve the islands of the Marianas, and that’s what we all have in common.”
“I did not come here with all the answers, I did not come here with all my plans that I want to do as youth senator,” Santos said. “In fact, when I found out I won, I was like ‘Oh I don’t even know what I’m going to do.’ But what I do know is I came with a genuine commitment to learn, to grow and to give this role my all. I may not have everything figured out yet, [but] I promise to serve with heart, with purpose and with intention of serving not just for a title, but for the people who put their trust in me. This is not about having power; it is about having the courage to make a difference one step at a time,” Santos said.
Dela Cruz promised that as youth senator, he will not simply listen to his peers’ wishes and aspirations, but he will also work diligently to ensure that those wishes and aspirations become a reality.
“We are in a difficult time — our economy is at risk, [businesses are] shutting down, rapidly rising inflation cripples our ability to afford goods, and environmental concerns risk our very island itself. These complex issues are ones that I alone cannot solve, and require instead the combined efforts of our island to fix. But it is my duty as your youth senator to do everything with the power granted to me to work towards fixing these issues ultimately so that our future generation can flourish,” Dela Cruz said.
Cruz said, the Youth Congress has long served as a bridge between young people and the government. “It has given students a seat at the table, a chance to learn about the legislative process, and, more importantly, a chance to practice what leadership looks like when grounded on purpose,” she said.
As a member of the 20th Youth Congress, she steps into a legacy built by those who came before her. “I am committed to building upon it with responsibility, collaboration and care,” she said.
“As we take on these duties, we must recognize that leadership is not about having all the answers. It is about willing to ask the right questions. It is about approaching problems, not with personal interest, but with community interest in mind. Leadership is about listening just as much as it is about speaking. It is about remaining grounded in the values that unite us and being courageous enough to stand up for what is right, even when it is difficult,” she said.
Salas thanked his fellow SSHS students for entrusting him as their representative in the 20th Youth Congress. He also thanked his instructor, retired Command Sgt. Maj. Richard Basa, for instilling discipline in him and the other cadets of the Manta Ray Battalion.
“It is my honor and privilege to serve you all,” Salas said.
Maratita said it is a true honor “to have the opportunity to represent the voices of our youth and work alongside passionate and driven individuals who care deeply about the future of our islands.”
The bills passed by the Youth Congress are forwarded to the governor and the presiding officers of the Legislature for disposition.
