GOVERNOR Arnold I. Palacios and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang on Monday swore in Luella I. Marciano as the new resident executive of the Indigenous Affairs Office, Pete Q. Dela Cruz as a new member of the Marianas Public Land Trust board, and Joseph S. Rios Jr. as a new member of the Commonwealth Cannabis Commission.
The nominations of Marciano and Dela Cruz were confirmed unanimously by the Senate during its session Monday morning while the nomination of Rios Jr. to represent Saipan on the cannabis commission was confirmed by the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation on Friday last week.
On Monday, the chair of the Senate Committee on Executive Appointments and Government Investigation, Sen. Celina Babauta, moved for the adoption of the committee reports recommending the confirmation of Marciano and Dela Cruz.
Regarding Marciano’s nomination, Babauta said “only in the CNMI can we find and celebrate two distinct traditions as one people defined by the Constitution as Northern Marianas descent.”
She said Marciano “brings a unique perspective, shaped by her bicultural background. She is multi-lingual. She is native. She is indigenous. She is of Northern Marianas descent. Our strength lies on this bicultural diversity that we live in today.”
She added that Marciano’s nomination by Governor Palacios, “who himself is bicultural, sends a powerful message that our government reflects diversity and inclusion.”
Babauta said Marciano’s experience “in living, existing in, and rejoicing both Chamorro and Carolinian cultures allows her to better understand the needs of the CNMI population and will serve as a bridge to both cultures and foster collaboration.”
She said “putting all…differences aside, knowing and accepting both cultures are exactly what the Indigenous Affairs Office needs to succeed.”
As for Dela Cruz, a businessman and a former Commerce secretary, Babauta noted his vast experience in many areas of government, making him a perfect candidate for the MPLT board.
During the Saipan and Northern Islands Legislative Delegation session on Friday, acting Special Assistant for Administration John Paul B. Reyes expressed appreciation, on behalf of the governor and lt. governor, for the lawmakers’ favorable consideration of Rios’s nomination.
