Inos nominates Seman to DLNR, Rabauliman to Commerce

Gov. Eloy S. Inos and Lt. Gov. Ralph DLG. Torres have nominated former representative Richard Seman to head the Department of Land and Natural Resources, while also informing Mark Rabauliman that he will stay on as Department of Commerce secretary. Both would serve in an acting capacity until the Senate confirms them.

Seman, who just earlier this month bid adieu to his House seat, said he is grateful for Inos and Torres’ trust in him to lead once again an important agency like DLNR.

“I talked to the governor last Thursday and he told me his decision to appoint me. I said I’m very thankful. It’s always been my passion. I have 24 years of experience in natural resources,” he told Saipan Tribune in a phone interview yesterday.

Seman served as DLNR secretary from 2004 to 2006 at the tail end of the administration of former governor Juan N. Babauta.

He said he couldn’t wait to start working again at DLNR. Seman takes over from now Sen. Arnold I. Palacios (R-Saipan), who was sworn in as senator in the 19th Legislature last Jan. 12.

“I’ve got letter of appointment to make it official that I was nominated and a memorandum delegating me as acting secretary so I can report to work. I’m also preparing the Senate requirements like drug testing, police clearance, and financial disclosure,” he said.

Seman said he already has a lot of ideas on how he can be more productive in his second go-around at DLNR.

“There are a lot of areas that Mr. Palacios has started that we need to continue. There are also a lot of programs that need to come online to improve our natural resources, especially in both in farming and fishing.”

He said two things he will be heavily involved in—as far as the administration is concerned—are submerged lands and the Marianas Trench National Marine Monument.

“There’ve been something happening with the proposed Monument but it’s a slow pace. There’s already something in place so we need to make sure we always have our interests in it and it won’t be overlooked,” he said.

Being one of the first appointees to the Cabinet, Seman said this came about because of need on the part of the Inos administration.

“With Arnold getting elected to the Senate, they needed a new secretary. It just so happened that it was good timing. I haven’t had much vacation but I’m pretty happy about it. I’m excited to be back in the mix and see what I can do. I’m a project-oriented person and I want projects done,” he said.

While Palacios was on leave to campaign for last year’s elections, Manny Pangelinan served as acting DLNR secretary.

For his part, Rabauliman confirmed that he was nominated to be Commerce secretary, adding that he looks forward to continue to lead the agency, which is responsible in growing the economy.

“I am very honored and humbled by the support and trust that our governor and lieutenant governor has in me. We have some plans and activities that I want to push and execute for Commerce and our economy,” he said in an email to Saipan Tribune.

Rabauliman, who is off-island, has been serving as acting secretary since former Commerce secretary and now Sen. Sixto Igisomar (R-Saipan) took a leave of absence to run in the special elections for senator. Igisomar subsequently won the vacated Senate seat of former senator Ray Yumul.