Deleon Guerrero makes history as first female Senate president

Former Senate president Sen. Jude Hofschneider (R-Tinian), right, turns over the gavel to Sen. Edith Deleon Guerrero (D-Saipan) yesterday after she was unanimously voted to the post at the organizational session of the 23rd Legislature’s Senate yesterday. (KIMBERLY B. ESMORES)

Sen. Edith Deleon Guerrero (D-Saipan) made history following the 23rd Legislature inauguration ceremony yesterday as the Commonwealth’s first female Senate president.

Deleon Guerrero, who was unanimously voted to the post at the organizational session of the 23rd Legislature’s Senate yesterday, took over the position previously held by Sen. Jude Hofschneider (R-Tinian), who has held the position since 2013.

In a later interview, she said she is humbled by the trust the people and her colleagues have in her. “I am extremely humbled and give honor to the people and to my colleagues in the Senate as well,” she said.

As the CNMI’s first Senate president, Deleon Guerrero said she wants to not only take charge, but also nurture and bring harmony.

“Being the first female Senate president makes me feel like taking charge of a family, to nurture, to balance, and to bring harmony for a better tomorrow as we plan and chart our path for a better and secured Commonwealth,” she said.

“I place my faith and trust in our Lord to be the daily source of light and guidance in this journey and responsibility that I have been entrusted with,” Deleon Guerrero added.

As for her plans in her new role, Deleon Guerrero said she ultimately wants to work with local and federal partners to establish economic initiatives that are viable for the CNMI.

“I would like to engage more conversations with our local and federal partners where we can come up with economic initiatives that are viable for our Commonwealth, to include having an economist and to encourage and have engaging and analytical reviews of our financial standing where we can explore money-making opportunities for our Commonwealth’s financial stability and longstanding obligations,” she said.

As far as her goal for the Senate as a whole, she wants standing committees to be proactive in terms of looking into pressing issues within the Commonwealth.

“I would like for the standing committees to be very proactive in looking at the pressing issues that our Commonwealth is faced with relative to their standing committee’s focus of responsibilities,” she said.

It was a big day for all female senators of the 23rd CNMI Legislature. with all female members landing important roles.

Aside from Deleon Guerrero, Sen. Corina Magofna (D-Saipan) was unanimously chosen Senate floor leader, while Sen. Celina Babauta (D-Saipan) was unanimously voted legislative secretary.

Sen. Donald Manglona (Ind-Rota) hand was elected Senate vice president.

In addition to the elected Senate officers, the five other inaugurated senators are Sen. Paul Manglona (Ind-Rota), Sen. Dennis Mendiola (R-Rota), Sen. Francisco Cruz (R-Tinian), Sen. Jude Hofschneider (R-Tinian), and Sen. Karl King-Nabors (R-Tinian).

At House of Representatives, Rep. Edmund Villagomez (Ind-Saipan) was re-elected House speaker.