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Mendiola resigns from 2 Senate committees
Dennis C. Mendiola
Noting that Tinian has no representation in two Senate committees chaired by Sen. Celina R. Babauta (D-Saipan), Sen. Dennis C. Mendiola (R-Rota) resigned from both committees effective last Monday.
Mendiola relinquished his memberships in both the Executive Appointments and Government Investigations Committee and the Judiciary, Government and Law Committee in a letter he handed to Babauta Monday.
Babauta told Saipan Tribune yesterday that she will be appointing Mendiola’s replacement this week.
In his letter to Babauta, Mendiola said the primary reason behind his decision to resign is to advocate for equal representation among the senatorial districts within the CNMI.
“I firmly believe that each district deserves fair and proportional representation to ensure that all voices are heard and that decisions made reflect the diverse needs and perspectives of our constituents,” he said.
The other members of the committees are Sens. Donald M. Manglona (Ind-Rota) and Paul A. Manglona (Ind-Rota).
While this arrangement is not inherently unjust, Mendiola said he strongly feels that Tinian, as an integral part of the Commonwealth, should also have a dedicated member in these committees. By doing so, he said, the Senate can foster a greater sense of trust, inclusion, and fairness among the three senatorial districts, thereby strengthening the unity and cohesion of the islands.
The Rota senator said that, by allowing a member of the Tinian delegation to join the committees, they can promote a more balanced representation, where all districts have an equal opportunity to contribute to the legislative process.
“This step will not only address the current disparity but also enhance the integrity and credibility of our committees and the decisions made therein,” Mendiola said.
