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Pete A. ‘recast’ as policy advisor; Veterans Affairs’ Palacios out
Two heads rolled in the first move by Gov. Ralph DLG Torres to reorganize his Cabinet, following the dozen plus courtesy resignations that hit his desk last week.
Torres and Lt. Gov. Victor Hocog have accepted the courtesy resignations of Department of Public Lands Secretary Pete A. Tenorio, according to a statement from the Office of the Governor. Torres has also accepted the resignation of Joseph M. Palacios, the executive officer for the Office of Military Liaison and Veteran’s Affairs Office
The statement calls this “the first action” and “initial” reorganization of the Cabinet.
DPL’s Tenorio, though, has been asked to remain on board and join Torres’ office as a “policy advisor on various matters related to social and economic development,” the statement said.
Palacios was just appointed to the post last November, by the late governor Eloy S. Inos. He was a former member of the 17th House of Representatives and was a former director of the Office on Aging. He also has served in the military for near a quarter century as a member of the United States Army, both in active and reserve duty capacities.
“I am grateful to Mr. Palacios and Mr. Tenorio for their service to governor Eloy S. Inos’ administration and to the people of the CNMI,” Torres said in the statement yesterday.
Changes in Cabinet members were expected following the passing of Inos in December and the rise of Torres, then lieutenant governor, and then Senate president Hocog to the helms of government.
