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House committees shaping up
The GOP leadership in the House of Representatives is finalizing the list of the members of its nine committees, with several new faces supposedly getting chairmanships once the 20th Legislature begins session on Jan. 9.
The Republican super majority met last Friday to finalize the composition of each committee before their sine die session this week. They are also planning to create some committees that would deal with social issues in the CNMI.
The GOP won 15 of the 20 seats at stake in the House where Rep. Rafael S. Demapan (R-Saipan) would retain the House speakership. Representative-elect Janet U. Maratita (R-Saipan) is the presumptive vice speaker while Rep. Glenn L. Maratita (R-Rota) is the probable floor leader.
Rep. Angel S. Demapan (R-Saipan) is reported to be the next Ways and Means Committee chair, replacing Rep. Antonio P. Sablan (Ind-Saipan). Rep. Joseph Leepan T. Guerrero (R-Saipan) is expected to retain his post as chairman of the Commerce and Tourism Committee while Rep. Edwin P. Aldan (Ind-Saipan) will reportedly get the Education Committee.
Representative-elect Ivan A. Blanco (R-Saipan) would be likely head the Judiciary and Governmental Operations Committee, while outgoing vice speaker Joseph P. Deleon Guerrero (Ind-Saipan) is said to lead the Games Committee, which was created to address issues that would concern the casino industry in the CNMI.
Representatives-elect Francisco S. Dela Cruz (R-Saipan) and Jose I. Itibus (R-Saipan) would be the probable chairmen of the Public Utilities, Transportation, and Utilities, and Health committees while Gregorio M. Sablan, another one of the new faces in the 20th Legislature, is reportedly to head the Federal and Foreign Affairs Committee.
Rep. John Paul P. Sablan (R-Saipan) is expected to remain chairman of the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation. Representatives-elect Francisco C. Aguon, Donald C. Barcinas, and Alice S. Igitol are the other GOP members in the House.
Rep. Edmund S. Villagomez (Ind-Saipan) is the minority leader. Saipan representatives Blas Jonathan T. Attao, Lorenzo I. Deleon Guerrero, Edwin K. Propst, and Vinson E. Sablan would join him in the independent bloc.
