Many support Torres’ NMTI appointee

With the Senate now reviewing her appointment as a board member of the Northern Marianas Technical Institute, many have come forward to express support for Ana Maria A. Mendiola’s appointment.

During a live Facebook video of the public hearing for Mendiola yesterday, the Senate’s Executive Appointments and Government Investigations Committee received several testimonies that expressed support for Mendiola’s, saying she will be an asset to the NMTI board.

Committee chair Sen. Francisco Cruz (R-Tinian) said they would take a day to review Mendiola’s application and act on it. Their recommendation will then go to the full Senate to approve or deny the appointment at their next session.

Speaking at the public hearing, Catherine M. Attao, who is one of the six NMTI’s board of trustee member who attended the committee hearing in person, said she supports the appointment of Mendiola. “Like all new beginnings, there are some transitional challenges, but with these challenges come great opportunity. …The board of trustees are grateful for the public hearing so we could fill this vacancy that Mrs. Mendiola has been nominated to fill,” she said. It was Gov. Ralph DLG Torres who made Mendiola’s appointment.

Because Mendiola is a Public School System counselor, Attao said her “knowledge and network” is what the board needs, and will add “value to the board’s discussions and initiatives.”

“The board of trustees wants to ensure that all our islands are represented to the best of our abilities, as our only intention is to give the community the best institution of trades education we can while ensuring that all islands are represented,” she said.

NMTI interim chief executive officer Jodina Attao, who also attended the hearing in person, said she also supports Mendiola’s appointment. “As a passionate educator with an expansive networking Rota, I trust that she can play a pivotal role in a student’s journey through life,” said Jodina Attao. She added that she recognizes that not all students want to pursue a career in academia, which is why they need to further develop NMTI on Rota and Tinian.

With Mendiola’s network on Rota, Jodina Attao believes Mendiola’s appointment to the board will be able to provide “valuable insight” to other board members.

Besides Jodina Attao and Catherine Attao, those who attended in person or gave written testimony in support of Mendiola were Christopher A. Concepcion, deputy director at Office of Planning and Development; TanHoldings president and chief executive officer Jerry Tan; Alex Sablan, TanHoldings Corporate Business Development vice president; Saipan Southern High School principal Vincent DelaCruz, 17th Board of Education member Antonio L Borja, and others who know Mendiola personally or through the CNMI Public School System.