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Casino commission now complete
The Commonwealth Casino Commission is now complete with the confirmation of Martin DLG. San Nicolas as one of its commissioners on Wednesday.
The Tinian legislative delegation held a public hearing on the nomination of San Nicolas.
Lt. Gov. Ralph DLG. Torres, left, swears in new casino commissioner Martin DLG. San Nicolas, his hand raised hand, as members of the Tinian legislative delegation look on. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)
The delegation is headed Sen. Francisco Borja (Ind-Tinian), with members Sen. Jude U. Hofschneider (R-Tinian), Sen. Francisco Q. Cruz, and Rep. Edwin P. Aldan (Ind-Tinian).
After the public hearing, the Tinian delegation unanimously voted to approve San Nicolas’ nomination, citing his previous experience in gaming and other industries.
Lt. Gov. Ralph DLG. Torres swore in San Nicolas the same day.
San Nicolas now joins the other four members of the casino regulatory body: commission chair Juan M. Sablan, and members Joseph C. Reyes, Alvaro A. Santos, and Justin S. Manglona.
Sablan, Reyes, and Santos represent Saipan, Manglona represents Rota, while San Nicolas represents Tinian.
The casino commission is allowed to have five commissioners, according to the law.
San Nicolas, commenting on his nomination and subsequent confirmation, said the regulatory body will “look at the organization itself” and “have a meeting with investors to understand their scope of operations.”
San Nicolas said the commission will then determine their manpower requirements and hire people in the “next few months.”
The Commonwealth Casino Commission is tasked to come up with regulations governing Saipan’s fledgling casino industry, among other things, following the granting of an exclusive casino license to Best Sunshine International Ltd. to develop a $3.14-billion integrated resort.
The five-man commission came under scrutiny before it was completed.
One of the requirements of the law is for commission members to, among other things, hold a bachelor’s degree in any field of study from a postsecondary educational institution accredited in the U.S. “or” must have at least five years work experience in the following areas: business management, government management or financial management.
