Senate confirms 6 Palacios appointees

From left, Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang and Gov. Arnold I. Palacios pose with Victoria S. Bellas, Phillip Mendiola-Long, Dr. Rita A. Sablan, and Alvaro A. Santos after swearing them into office yesterday. Bellas will serve on the Civil Service Commission, while Sablan, Santos, and Mendiola-Long will serve on the board of the Marianas Public Land Trust. (OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR)

The Senate unanimously confirmed yesterday the appointment of Clement R. Bermudes for the position of Department of Public Safety commissioner, as well as five others for various board and commission positions.

Aside from Bermudes, the Senate also confirmed the appointments of Dr. Rita A. Sablan, Alvaro Santos, and Phillip M. Long to serve as members of the Marianas Public Land Trust. Sablan represents Saipan/women, Santos represents Saipan and Northern Islands, and Long represents Tinian and Aguiguan.

The Senate also confirmed the nomination of Donna M. Flores to serve as a member of the CNMI Scholarship board of directors, representing Saipan and Northern Islands, and Victoria S. Bellas to serve as a member of the Civil Service Commission.

Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang, in his capacity as acting governor, watched the appointees’ confirmation hearing.

With respect to other confirmed appointees, Sablan will serve the remaining term vacated by Maria Frica T. Pangelinan, which will expire on Jan. 9, 2024.

Santos will serve the remainder term of Martin B. Ada, which will expire on Jan. 9, 2024.

Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang, left, poses with Clement R. Bermudes, who was confirmed by the Senate yesterday to serve as commissioner of the Department of Public Safety. (FERDIE DE LA TORRE)

Long will complete the term of Pete Q. Cruz, which will expire on Jan. 9, 2024.

Flores will serve a four-year term, which will expire on June 22, 2026. Bellas will serve a four-year term, which will expire in January 2027.

In a later interview, Bermudes said he is grateful to Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and Apatang for believing in his ability to lead DPS and to his wife, family, and “to the men and blue in the department, including civilians that actually support our officers everyday, day in day out.”

Bermudes said he looks forward to the community’s continued suppor “because our community demand the best services that we can provide.”

Before the nine senators voted to adopt the report of the Senate Executive Appointments and Government Investigations that recommended Bermudes’ appointment, EAGI chair Sen. Celina R. Babauta (D-Saipan) said the committee and she personally believe that Bermudes will provide strong leadership to DPS officers and their families.

Babauta said she appreciates Bermudes’ willingness to return and serve the Commonwealth and that she is confident in his ability to lead DPS effectively.

Sen. Donald M. Manglona (Ind-Rota) also expressed appreciation for Bermudes’ visit to Rota to meet the department heads as well as the mayor.

Manglona said throughout the confirmation hearings of Cabinet secretaries and commissioners, he has emphasized the need for them to visit Tinian and Rota. Other than the department heads serving at the pleasure of the mayor, it is these agencies that would have to end up going through regulations and policies that are drafted by the main agencies on Saipan, he added.

“I hope that future sectaries and commissioners [will] also reach out to our other districts,” Manglona said.