With Propst’s resignation, Attao declares vacancy in Precinct 1

House Speaker Blas Jonathan T. Attao (R-Saipan) notified Gov. Ralph DLG Torres last week that he has declared a vacancy in the House of Representatives, with the resignation of Edwin K. Propst, representing Precinct 1.

Press secretary Kevin Bautista confirmed yesterday that the Office of the Governor received Attao’s official communication about the vacancy declaration.

Bautista said that Torres waited for Attao to officially declare the vacancy before acting on the appointment, in line with Article II, Section 9 of the CNMI Constitution and in respect of the separation of powers between two equal branches of government.

“Moreover, in line with 1 CMC Section 6502 and historical precedent with other legislative vacancies, the governor has 30 days from the date of the declared vacancy to appoint the unsuccessful candidate for the office [at the last election],” Bautista said.

Attao said that, according to the constitution, a vacancy in the Legislature shall be filled by special election if one-half or more of the term remains. If less than one-half of the term remains, the governor shall fill the vacancy by appointing the unsuccessful candidate for the office in the last election who received the largest number of votes and is willing to serve or, if no candidate is available, a person qualified for the office from the district represented will be appointed.

Attao requested Torres, consistent with Section 9 of Article II of the CNMI Constitution, to appoint a representative for the vacant office as soon as possible so that Precinct 1 may resume its full representation in the House.

Franklin Reyes Babauta, a retired official of the Department of Public Safety, will likely be given the chance to serve Precinct 1 and the Commonwealth.

Babauta, who ran as an independent candidate in 2018, landed in seventh place. Precinct 1 has six slots for a House representative.

Babauta’s wife, Celina, is running for Precinct 1 in today’s election.

The speaker said if the individual does not accept, the next highest voter will be appointed to serve the remaining term.

Propst’s resignation took effect last Oct. 1. His term was supposed to end on Jan. 11, 2021.

Propst’s name is still in today’s ballot as a candidate for Precinct 1 under the Democratic Party. Propst stepped down from his job, saying he has reached his limits due to an extremely stressful job, the attacks on his name, and cyber bullying.