Palacios-Apatang installed today

Police Lt. Dan Smith explains the Department of Public Safety’s traffic control plan for Monday’s inauguration ceremony for governor-elect Arnold I. Palacios and lieutenant governor-elect David M. Apatang during a press conference Thursday morning. Also in the photo are DPS Highway Patrol commander Capt. Juan Mendiola and Oscar M. Babauta, who is the vice chairman of the inauguration subcommittee. (FERDIE DE LA TORRE)

All roads this morning lead to Susupe for the inauguration of Arnold I. Palacios as governor and David M. Apatang as lieutenant governor, and to Capital Hill for the inauguration of the 23rd Legislature.

Palacios, 67, will be the 10th governor of the CNMI, while Apatang, 74, will be the 13th lieutenant governor, when they are sworn in at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe at 10am.

An as yet unnamed U.S. Congress member and U.S. Department of Defense officials are expected to be among the dignitaries at the inauguration ceremony for Palacios and Apatang.

The inauguration for the 20 members of the 23rd House of Representatives will be in the House chamber at 10am. The inauguration for the nine members of the 23rd Senate will be in the Senate chamber at 11am.

Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro will administer the oath of office for Palacios, while Associate Justice John A. Manglona will administer for Apatang.

Patricia Coleman, the interim dean at the Northern Marianas College-Cooperative Cooperative Research, Extension and Education Services, will serve as the mistress of ceremony at the gubernatorial installation. Rev. Fr. Isaac Ayuyu will do the invocation. Sophia Geinger will sing the U.S. and CNMI anthems.

Free lunch will be served on the north side of the multi-purpose center at 11:15am.

Immediately after the ceremony, dignitary luncheon will be held at the Saipan World Resort’s Tapochau restaurant.

At 6pm, a Marianas Ball will be held at the Pacific Islands Club Saipan’s Magellan. A Dignitary Ball will be held at the Kensington Hotel Saipan’s Kensington Hall also at 6pm.

Palacios served as the 12th lieutenant governor of the CNMI, serving alongside Gov. Ralph DLG Torres from January 2019 to January 2023.

Palacios served as the Senate president during the 20th Legislature from January 2015 to January 2017. He served four terms in the House and served as House speaker during the 16th Legislature from January 2008 to January 2010.

Palacios also served as the secretary of the Department of Lands and Natural Resources from February 2012 to January 2015.

Palacios attended Mt. Carmel School and earned his bachelor of science degree in Business Administration/Management at the Portland State University in Oregon.

Apatang, a U.S. Army veteran, served as mayor of Saipan since January 2015. He used to serve in the House. He ran for mayor as an independent in 2014. He just completed his second term as Saipan mayor.

At the House of Representatives inauguration, Associate Justice Perry B. Inos will administer the oath of office. At the inaugural session, Rep. Edmund S. Villagomez (Ind-Saipan) is expected to be re-elected as speaker, while Rep. Joel C. Camacho will possibly be elected vice speaker and Rep. Edwin K. Propst as floor leader.

In the Senate inauguration, Superior Court Presiding Judge Roberto C. Naraja will administer the oath of office. Sen. Edith E. DeLeon Guerrero (D-Saipan) will likely be elected as president, Sen. Donald M. Manglona (Ind-Rota) as vice president, Sen. Corina L. Magofna (Ind-Saipan) as floor leader, and Sen. Celina R. Babauta (D-Saipan) as legislative secretary.