THE Senate on Thursday confirmed the reappointment of Marianas Public Land Trust vice chairman Vianney B. Hocog and board member Pete Q. Cruz to the MPLT board.
All the senators present voted to adopt the report of the Senate Committee on Executive Appointments and Government Investigations recommending the confirmation of Hocog’s reappointment. He is the brother of Sen. Victor B. Hocog.
Sen. Paul A. Manglona attended the session via videoconference while Senate Floor Leader Vinnie F. Sablan was excused.
For the confirmation of Pete Q. Cruz’s appointment, the seven senators present voted in favor of the adoption of the committee report.
Sen. Frank Q. Cruz, the brother of Pete Cruz, abstained.
The senators present in the session were Senate President Jude U. Hofschneider, Vice President Justo Quitugua, Victor B. Hocog, Cruz, Manglona, Edith Deleon Guerrero, Karl King-Nabors and Teresita Santos.
In his report, Sen. Cruz said his committee examined all pertinent documents, credentials and testimonies, and is convinced that Vianney B. Hocog and Pete Q. Cruz are qualified to continue to serve on the MPLT board.
Senator Cruz said his committee received no testimony opposing their confirmation.
The senator also told his colleagues that the reappointment of Vianney B. Hocog and Pete Q. Cruz are in accordance with the CNMI Constitution.
Right now, the MPLT board chair is former Sen. Maria Frica T. Pangelinan and the other board members are former Rep. Martin B. Ada and former Speaker Pedro Paduna R. Guerrero.
