Members of 19th CNMI Youth Congress take oath of office

Vinnie Juan Q. Sablan is new Youth Congress speaker

Members of the 19th CNMI Youth Congress were sworn into office Saturday morning, with Vinnie Juan Quitugua Sablan, who represents Kagman High School, being elected speaker during an organizational session in the House of Representatives chamber on Capital Hill.

House of Representatives Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez (Ind-Saipan), who served as speaker pro tem of the CNMI Youth Congress at the start of the session, declared Sablan the speaker of the 19th CNMI Youth Congress by acclamation as there were no other nominees.

After being elected speaker, Sablan then presided over the organizational session.

Peaches Fiona Gruta Bayot, of Marianas High School, was elected vice speaker, while Maili Ilareyo’l Borja Peter, from Mt. Carmel School, was elected floor leader.

Ysabella Nikonia Rita Villagomez Palacios, an incumbent representing Tinian Junior/Senior High School, was elected legislative secretary.

Bayot, Peter, and Palacios were all elected by acclamation as there were no other nominees.

Sablan appointed Bayot as chairperson of the Health and Welfare Committee, Peter as chairperson of Summit Activities Committee, and Palacios as chairperson of the Judiciary and Governmental Operations Committee.

Ayden Sean Camacho Yumul, of Grace Christian Academy, was appointed chairperson of the Education Committee; Aden Chonne Hoco Calvo, of Rota H. Inos Junior/Senior High School, as chairperson of the Resources, Economic Development & Tourism Committee; Mickyiel Josh Bedruz Cabrera, of Saipan Southern High School, as chairperson of the Ways and Means Committee; and Filomenaleonisa Maratita Iakopo, of Saipan International School, as chairperson of the Sports and Recreation Committee.

CNMI Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro administered the oath of office for the youth senators.

In his speech, Sablan said it is vital that the youth senators build and foster a sense of inclusiveness, compassion, strength, and positivity in the community. “Always remember that we aren’t just a voice for our schools, but a voice for the youth of the CNMI,” Sablan said.

Sablan described his parents—former senator Vinnie Flores Sablan and Roca Quitugua Sablan—who were present at the session, as his ultimate inspirations.

Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang attended the organizational session.

During the public comment portion of the session, Palacios advised the youth senators not to be discouraged by some of the issues that are confronting the Commonwealth and its people.
He said his and Apatang’s offices, as well as the Youth Affairs Office, will always be open to them.

Apatang said his office and he is ready to sit down with the youth senators to talk and discuss issues. “As a leader of this Commonwealth, we need to work together. We are challenging a lot of issues ahead of us,” Apatang said.

CNMI Youth Congress secretary/coordinator Luis John DLG. Castro earlier stated that this year’s biennial election for the 2023 CNMI Youth Congress is significant as it’s been 25 years since the very first CNMI Youth Congress was convened in 1998.

Castro, who was a member of the 21st House, served as speaker of the 4th CNMI Youth Congress.