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House confirms Sirok’s, Angello’s PUC appointments
James S. Sirok
The House of Representatives confirmed yesterday the appointment of former Commonwealth Utilities Corp. counsel James S. Sirok and former Northern Marianas College academic administrator Dr. John “Jack” Angelo to serve as members of the Public Utilities Commission.
With 17 of 18 House members present voting “yes” to the adoption of the committee report, the House confirmed Sirok’s appointment to represent Saipan and Northern Islands on the PUC.
Rep. Ralph N. Yumul (Ind-Saipan) did not vote. Reps. Edwin K. Propst (Ind Saipan) and Malcom Jason Omar (Ind-Saipan) were absent but excused.
With all 18 House members present voting “yes” to the adoption of the committee report, the House confirmed Angello’s appointment to represent Saipan and Northern Islands on the PUC.
The report prepared by the House’s Judiciary and Governmental Operations Committee, and the Public Utilities, Transportation and Communications Committee, recommended the two’s confirmation.
The appointment also requires the confirmation by the Senate; it has not done so yet.
If also confirmed by the Senate, Sirok will serve a four-year term that will expire on April 3, 2026, while Angello will serve the remainder of a four-year term that will expire on April 2, 2024.
At the House session, Oscar M. Babauta, who is the special assistant for the administration of Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang, said that the PUC has been idle for quite some time now and he appealed to House members to approve the committee report as people are hurting due to soaring utility costs. Babauta said the people of the CNMI will hopefully gain some relief as a result of Sirok’s and Angello’s actions in the future as PUC members.
The PUC is an independent commission established by the Legislature many years ago to regulate utilities in the CNMI.
