PROSERPINA “Pina” T. Magofna of Saipan was sworn in by Gov. Ralph DLG Torres on Friday as the newest board member of the Commonwealth Election Commission.
Magofna is the former Society for Human Resource Management-NMI Chapter president and is currently the human resources director of Crowne Plaza Saipan and Guam.
Her nomination was unanimously confirmed by the Senate on Friday.
Sen. Frank Q. Cruz, who chairs the Senate executive appointments panel, said his committee had examined all pertinent documents related to Magofna’s appointment, as well as written and oral testimonies, all in support of the appointment.
Based on overall assessment of the appointee’s credentials, Cruz said his committee was convinced that Magofna has the qualification and skills necessary to serve on the election board.
Cruz said a public hearing was also held on Magofna’s nomination, during which certain recommendations and issues pertaining to the conduct of elections were raised.
Senate President Jude U. Hofschneider, for his part, said the election commission has a very knowledgeable executive director, Kayla Igitol, who can serve as a guide for Magofna.
“Some may say [the election commission is] only good during election time, but really, you guys have a lot of things to do,” he added.
Due to a lack of quorum, the election board was unable to meet in early September as one of the commissioners, Doris Ann Aldan-Atalig, was off-island.
Besides Magofna and Aldan-Atalig, the other election commissioners are Jesus I. Sablan, Lelanie Manglona, Esther Yatar and John Diego Attao.
On Oct. 16, 2021, Saipan’s Precinct 3 will hold a special House election to fill the seat vacated by the late Rep. Ivan A. Blanco.
Early voting will begin this Saturday, Oct. 9, and will end on Friday, Oct. 15.
Next year is the CNMI’s general elections.
With Emmanuel T. Erediano
Proserpina “Pina” T. Magofna, the new election board member, is sworn in by Gov. Ralph DLG Torres on Friday in the governor’s conference room.
