THE members of the 23rd House of Representatives were sworn in Monday and reelected their most senior member, Edmund S. Villagomez, as speaker.
Associate Justice Perry Inos administered their oath of office.
Rep. Joel Camacho, Ind.-Saipan, was elected vice speaker while Rep. Edwin Propst, D-Saipan, is the new House floor leader.
Villagomez, Ind.-Saipan, also announced the chairs of the standing committees:
Ralph N. Yumul, Ind.-Saipan, Ways and Means, and Gaming; Marissa Renee Flores, Ind.-Saipan, Judiciary and Governmental Operations; Vincent “Kobre” Aldan, Ind.-Saipan, Public Utilities, Transportation and Communications; Manny Gregory T. Castro, Ind.-Saipan, Education; Angelo A. Camacho, Ind.-Saipan, Natural Resources; Diego Vincent F. Camacho, D-Saipan, Cannabis; Malcolm Omar, Ind.-Saipan, Health and Welfare; Julie Marie A. Ogo, Ind.-Rota, Commerce and Tourism; and Vicente Camacho, D-Saipan, Federal and Foreign Affairs Committee.
In the interest of time, each member said they would submit their written speeches to the House clerk. They then delivered their remarks to express gratitude to their families and supporters. They also congratulated each other.
According to Villagomez, “We want to step up to the challenge and we have a big challenge ahead. But I think working together, we can overcome this.”
He said there may be differences among them, but “it is in our differences that we had that has built our Commonwealth and also helped our Commonwealth move forward.”
He believes that when those differences are ironed out, and they compromise and work together, “we [will] become successful,”
Vice Speaker Joel Camacho told his colleagues that “we have so much work ahead of us.” He assured them that he will “reach out to you” as he also thanked his fellow House members for entrusting him to be their vice speaker.
House Floor Leader Edwin Propst said, “This seat is not possible without the people of Precinct 1 whom I proudly serve with my colleagues here.”
He said he is forever grateful to the good people of Precinct 1 who have bestowed their faith and confidence in him to continue to work for the people.
“This is public service and I am going to give everything I have, which I always do,” he said.
He also thanked his family for understanding the duties of a public servant.
Propst said being a House member is a challenging job because it does not pay much and there’s a lot of stress, “but I am excited for our new colleagues to share this experience….”
His office, he added, remains open as always. “I have taken a big hit in my office because I lost my chief of staff and it has been very hard to replace somebody that is as wonderful as him. But I am very proud to call him my colleague now,” he said referring to Rep. Diego Vincent Camacho.
“Speaker, my colleagues, we’re going to have a great year because we’ll put politics aside — we’re done with it. I am ready to do the work for our people, I love you all,” Propst said.
Rep. Roy Ada, R-Saipan and one of the four minority bloc members, thanked former Republican Gov. Ralph DLG Torres.
“Despite all these allegations against him, I really like to point out a lot of things he has contributed. He led us through difficult times, from Super Typhoon Soudelor, Super Typhoon Yutu and Covid-19 pandemic, and there a lot of benefits that we received throughout his term, one of which is the retirees’ 100% benefit,” he said.
Ada said he also looks forward to working with all his fellow House members.
The members of the 23rd House of Representatives hold their inaugural session on Monday.
