Apatang reflects on Palacios, first year in office, recovery, birthright bill

Gov. David M. Apatang reflected on the first death anniversary of his predecessor, the late governor Arnold I. Palacios, saying the Commonwealth continues to mourn the loss of his former running mate as he also looked back on his own first year in office, the government's recovery from back-to-back Category 5 super typhoons Sinlaku and Bavi, and a proposed federal bill that would end birthright citizenship in the U.S. territories.

 Apatang made the remarks during an interview with Marianas Press this morning, July 24, following a tour of donated ReadyPod Dual Primary homes on a vacant lot near the Saipan Port. The homes were showcased during a donation event for veterans and other residents displaced by the recent typhoons.

 Looking back on the July 23 first death anniversary of Palacios, Apatang said he attended the memorial rosary and remembered his former political partner with sadness.

 "The late governor and I, we ran together for the governor and the lieutenant governor. But [we’re] just so sad that he left us early. It's unforeseen circumstances," Apatang said.

 He added, "I was in attendance yesterday for the ... first year anniversary. And, you know, we just pray for him and continue to rest in peace."

 Asked to assess his first year as governor, Apatang said he inherited significant challenges, particularly completing long-overdue financial audits required for continued federal assistance.

 "I'm happy that I'm the governor, but not really because governor Palacios was my partner," he said. "But it's been a long struggle for me. When I took over as governor, there's a lot of issues that have been challenged by the federal government. Especially the audit, to complete an audit from 2022 back, you know, in order for us to get assistance from the federal government."

 He said the administration hopes to complete the audit by September and present it to the U.S. inspector general so the Commonwealth can continue moving forward.

 Apatang also described the unprecedented challenge posed by two Category 5 typhoons striking the Commonwealth within just a few months.

 "That's the first time I've seen something like this, you know, two typhoons back-to-back," he said.

 Praising the response from federal agencies and volunteer organizations, Apatang added, "I'm happy with all the assistance that we're getting from the federal government and all the NGOs that were providing us assistance."

 "So right now, actually, we're concentrating on trying to help our family in Rota, trying to recover. Especially the power situation down there in Rota."

 Asked about the proposed federal legislation that would deny automatic birthright citizenship to people born in U.S. territories beginning in 2027, Apatang said Congress should respect existing law and the Covenant.

 "Well, actually, you know, the U.S. Supreme Court made a decision on that already. That should be it. I don't understand why the U.S. Congress is still trying to pursue to change that situation," he said.

 "But, you know, we have a Covenant agreement with the United States, so they need to abide with that covenant agreement," Apatang added.