‘Transition Committee reports were basis for Cabinet re-appointments’

Cabinet re-appointments were based on reports submitted to the administration of Gov. Ralph DLG Torres by the Transition Committee, headed by local GOP president and Department of Public Works Secretary James Ada.

Former Precinct 3 representative Felicidad Ogumoro, senior policy adviser Glenna S. Palacios-Reyes, and Vincent DLG Torres were the other members of the committee.

Press secretary Kevin Bautista said the list of Cabinet re-appointments have been submitted to the Senate’s Committee on Executive Appointments and Government Investigations, which is now preparing to hold confirmation hearings. Sen. Francisco Q. Cruz (R-Saipan) chairs the committee.

Mark Rabauliman (Commerce), Robert Hunter (Community and Cultural Affairs), Vincent Attao (Corrections), Clyde Norita (Fire and Emergency Medical Services), Vicky Benavente (Labor), Anthony Benavente (Lands and Natural Resources), Marianne Teregeyo (Public Lands), and Robert Guerrero (Public Safety) are the department heads that were on the list submitted by the administration to the Senate.

Only Finance Secretary Larrisa Larson was not on the list and Bautista said a formal announcement and submission of the name of the person who would be replacing her will be made soon.

“The individual must provide the skills necessary to stabilize and fix our government finances as we recover from the devastation wrought by Typhoon Mangkhut and Super Typhoon Yutu. The person should examine the cost expenditures and make sure the monthly reports are being accurately relayed to the administration for the benefit of the general public,” said Bautista.

Bautista said Torres and Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios made the re-appointment decisions after discussions with the Transition Committee on the report. The administration, as part of government protocol, has accepted all courtesy resignations submitted by Cabinet secretaries and other heads of all offices under the Executive Branch.

“Those that are re-appointed will undergo the same process of confirmation hearings by the Senate [EAGI] committee. The governor and lieutenant governor provide their deliberation and consent on the names that were submitted to the Senate,” Bautista told Saipan Tribune.

“The Senate [EAGI committee] has the power to suggest to the governor who would be retained at their posts. Gov. Torres respects that constitutional power in order to finalize the final composition of the Cabinet, the directors of each offices, and other agency heads.”

He added that Torres and Palacios carefully examined and studied the reports of the Transition Committee.

“It is the…belief of the governor and lieutenant governor that the re-appointments…would go to the Senate process. [Cabinet re-appointments] would continue the good work they have done in their respective departments [and], at the same time improve on their weak points.”