Senate confirms DPS, Finance chiefs, and nominee for PUC

By a separate vote of 8-0, the Senate confirmed the governor’s appointments of Larrisa Larson as Department of Finance secretary and Ray Mafnas as Department of Public Safety commissioner during a session witnessed by a crowd mostly of local law enforcement officers from different agencies.

But Mafnas said his confirmation is “bittersweet,” referring to the challenging search for missing sisters Faloma and Maleina Luhk, who have been missing since May 25. He said as of yesterday afternoon, the sisters have yet to be found.

Mafnas, in an interview with reporters, said he welcomes those who question his credibility and qualifications to meet with him so he could show them proof that he was honorably discharged from the Marines and that he was acquitted in a case involving assault of a teacher.

He also told Saipan Tribune that the Department of Public Safety will undergo “reorganization” to make it more efficient, among other things.

He said this is separate from the planned merger of DPS and the Department of Corrections, which he used to lead.

The Senate also confirmed the nomination of Ignacio Perez to serve on the Commonwealth Public Utilities Commission. The House also needs to confirm his nomination.

Only seven senators initially voted “yes” to adopt a committee report recommending Mafnas’s confirmation, because Senate floor leader Pete Reyes (R-Saipan) abstained from voting.

Reyes told his colleagues that Mafnas is his brother-in-law so he didn’t vote. Only Sen. Juan Ayuyu (Ind-Rota) was absent from the session.

But Reyes later changed his vote to “yes” after Senate President Paul Manglona (Ind-Rota) said the relationship is “not so direct,” and after legal counsel Matthew Meyer said it would be up to the senator’s conscience.

The crowd at the gallery and chamber applauded when Mafnas and Larson were confirmed. Both thanked the governor and lieutenant governor for believing in them.

Larson later said “we have a long and difficult road ahead of us.”

She said one of the major tasks is to prioritize the use of limited funding available, and this includes timely payment of vendors especially in programs and projects funded by the federal government, and making timely payroll.

Sen. Frank Cruz (R-Tinian), chairman of the Senate Committee on Executive Appointments and Governmental Investigations, said they did not receive opposition to Mafnas and Larson’s appointments and confirmation.

The Fitial administration had said the two posts are very critical and difficult to fill, “so we definitely would like to secure the confirmation of these nominations,” press secretary Angel Demapan said.

Larson’s confirmation came barely six days after the Senate held a public hearing on her nomination as Finance secretary. The Senate held a public hearing on Mafnas’ nomination on May 2.

Mafnas, a former commissioner of the Department of Corrections, also served as Gov. Benigno R. Fitial’s senior policy advisor. Larson, meanwhile, worked at the Northern Marianas College, the Office of the Public Auditor, and the Office of the Lieutenant Governor.

There’s no schedule yet when Mafnas and Larson will be sworn in by the governor.