1 more commissioner needed to avoid jeopardizing election

In this screen grab from YouTube, Fire Inspector Jonathan Christopher A. Manglona takes his oath before testifying for his nomination as a member of the Commonwealth Election Commission board, representing Tinian and Aguiguan, during a public hearing for his confirmation conducted by the Senate Committee on Executive Appointments and Government Investigations at the Tinian Courthouse yesterday. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Just four days before the general election next week, it has become urgent to appoint another Commonwealth Election Commission board member so as not to jeopardize the Nov. 8 general election.

It was learned that, although the CEC currently has six commissioners, which should be enough to push through with the election, one of them is due to leave the CNMI before Nov. 8, thus creating a lack in the required number of commissioners who must be present to carry out the election.

Commonwealth Election Commission board chair Jesus I. Sablan underscored yesterday the importance of having seven CEC commissioners when he asked the Senate Committee on Executive Appointments and Government Investigations to confirm Gov. Ralph DLG Torres’ appointment of fire inspector Jonathan Christopher A. Manglona as a CEC commissioner representing Tinian and Aguiguan.

The CEC board, which currently has six members, needs at least five to have a quorum, said Sablan during the committee’s public hearing on the appointment of Manglona at the Tinian Courthouse.

Sablan said one of the commissioners will be leaving the CNMI probably before the Nov. 8 general elections. He said it will come down to only five board members present in the CNMI, but if commissioner John Attao, who is representing Tinian and Aguiguan, will not make it to Election Day for a meeting, then the election will be jeopardized.

It is in this light that Sablan asked the committee to confirm Manglona.

“To be honest with you, I don’t really know Mr. Manglona personally, but I will once you confirm him,” he said.

Sablan said it is critical to confirm Manglona because Tinian is only represented by one member, Attao.

“We need one representative from Tinian, and one from Rota and at least five members to have a quorum,” the chairman said.

He said it is critical to have Manglona on board.

CEC executive director Kayla S. Igitol told the committee that, as the general election is right around the corner, it is very important and crucial to have Manglona confirmed to the board to ensure that CEC meets and maintains quorum requirements.

“I look forward to working with Mr. Manglona to uphold CEC’s mission to conduct a fair, honest, orderly, and impartial election, most especially as we approach the 2022 general election,” Igitol said.

She requested the committee to act on Manglona’s nomination and expedite his confirmation as Election Day is only five days away.

Manglona thanked Torres for nominating him as a member of the CEC board. He also expressed gratitude to Tinian and Aguiguan Mayor Edwin P. Aldan and the whole Tinian Municipal Council for giving him the opportunity to serve the community in another way.

“I bring integrity, commitment, and trust the same way I serve our community as a firefighter and EMT myself,” Manglona said.

Aldan was among the many people who testified in support of Manglona’s confirmation at the public hearing.

Committee chair Sen. Francisco Q. Cruz (R-Tinian) presided over the hearing. He is expected to come up soon with a committee report that will recommend to the full Senate the confirmation of Manglona’s nomination.