THE Senate on Thursday unanimously confirmed the nomination of Police Lt. Jesus Santos Cepeda to serve on the Commonwealth Election Commission, representing Saipan and the Northern Islands.
The Senate Committee on Executive Appointments and Government Investigations, chaired by Sen. Francisco Q. Cruz, recommended Cepeda’s nomination through Standing Committee Report 22-71 after reviewing his credentials, as well as hearing testimony from various individuals.
“Based on the overall assessment of Mr. Cepeda’s credentials, experiences, testimonies, goals for the agency, and other relevant issues considered, [the] committee is convinced that Mr. Cepeda has the qualifications and leadership skills necessary to serve as a member of the Commonwealth Election Commission,” Cruz said.
CEC Executive Director Kayla S. Igitol and Administrative Officer Robin N. Sablan were among those who testified in support of the nominee, saying that although there is quorum, there were four vacant seats on the board.
Cepeda appeared before the Senate during a public hearing conducted on Monday, May 23, in the Senate chamber.
Sen. Edith Deleon Guerrero asked how he would make time to fulfill his duties as a police lieutenant and as an election commissioner, considering the demands of both roles.
Cepeda said that he is certain that every sector or agency has ways of handling their employees’ hours and leave of absence, adding that he is “pretty sure” that he will have time.
Deleon Guerrero then asked Cepeda to find out how many voters are of Northern Marianas descent, as opposed to non-NMDs.
Cepeda said he would look into it.
He began his career as a Department of Public Safety police officer in 1997. He was a police sergeant from 2017 to 2020 prior to assuming his current role as police lieutenant.
The other election commissioners are chair Jesus I. Sablan, vice chair Doris Ann Aldan-Atalig — both representing Saipan and the Northern Islands — Lelanie I. Manglona and Esther Yatar, both of Rota, and John Diego Attao of Tinian and Aguiguan.
Commonwealth Election Commission Executive Director Kayla S. Igitol, left, reads her remarks on her cell phone as she urges the senators to confirm the nomination of Police Lt. Jesus Santos Cepeda, right, to the election board on Monday in the Senate chamber. Also in photo is the Office of the Governor’s public information specialist, Thomas John DLC Manglona.
