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CPA board finally attains a quorum
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Posted on Aug 23 2008
The Commonwealth Ports Authority has now a functional board of directors after the Senate on Friday confirmed the nomination of three more members.
Hours after the Senate’s action, Gov. Benigno R. Fitial swore in as new CPA board members former senator Thomas “Kiyu” P. Villagomez, former representative Benigno M. Sablan, and retiree Fermin Sakisat.
Fitial also included in the swearing in former CPA board chair Joe Lifoifoi. Lifoifoi does not need to be confirmed because the administration asked him to continue service on the board.
Press secretary Charles Reyes Jr. told Saipan Tribune yesterday that the four, all representing Saipan, will join former Tinian senator Manuel Villagomez, who was confirmed last month.
“I think we have already established the board. We already have a quorum,” Reyes said.
The CPA board has seven members, including one representative each from Rota and Tinian.
Barry Toves representing Rota has yet to be confirmed. There is one more vacant seat for the Saipan position.
Reyes said that, as soon as Fitial received confirmation from the Senate Friday afternoon, the governor quickly moved to swear them in so that they can have a quorum and get started with the urgent business of CPA.
Last June, CPA board members resigned en masse amid financial problems that reportedly caused the agency to nearly default on its $20-million airport revenue bond.
Fitial asked the members to resign after he suspended the board and took over CPA.
