Mendiola is Senate president; Villagomez retains House speakership

01/14/25 - Rota senator Dennis C. Mendiola is the new Senate president, while Saipan lawmaker Edmund S. Villagomez retained his position as House of Representative speaker for the third straight time during today’s inauguration of the 24th Legislature on Capitol Hill.

Also elected during the Senate organizational meeting immediately following the swearing in of members of the 24th Senate were Sen. Karl King-Nabors of Tinian as Senate vice president, Sen. Donald Manglona of Rota as floor leader, and Sen. Francisco Q. Cruz of Tinian as secretary.

In the House, which inauguration began an hour earlier than the Senate at around 10am, joining Villagomez in the chamber’s leadership are Rep. Diego Vincent F. Camacho of Saipan as vice speaker and Rep. Marissa Renee Flores, also of Saipan, as floor leader.

The election of Senate and House officials were decided during caucuses prior to the inauguration with members voting by acclamation during the organizational meetings.

Mendiola said he’s excited to work with fellow Senate members, their counterparts in the House, and, of course, the Executive Branch, led by Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang, in moving the Commonwealth forward in the next two years.

“One of the agendas is really for us to just sit with the administration and figure out some of these issues that are affecting our Commonwealth and start prioritizing some of the resources... As the leadership comes together, one of the things we want to do is kind of just sit down and identify some of our needs based on the municipalities and kind of address those initially or right away. So those are some of the stuff that we have lined up.”

The two-term senator said one of the first orders of business under his leadership in the Senate is helping improve the islands’ economy.

“I mean, we can't harp on it enough. The economy is always an issue. With any plans or aspiration, of course, the economy is the need.”

Mendiola also emphasized the importance for Tinian and Rota to get their equal share in the CNMI funding pie.

“I think it is our responsibility to address all issues, regardless of the municipality. That's what I meant by ensuring that the municipalities are also included in this resource allocation. Of course, Rota and Tinian are a little bit smaller, so, you know, in some instances they get overlooked and I think that the members and myself, one of the strongest messages is just give Rota and Tinian their fair share,” he said.

For his part, Villagomez said he’s very honored and privileged to be given the honor of again serving as speaker of the House.

“I try my best to work well with everybody, so that's a quality that I have.”

Asked what are his priorities in the 24th House of Representatives, just like Mendiola, Villagomez said it’s the economy.

“Of course, economic development is one of those things. I know it's a challenge, it is a real challenge, but we're going to try our best, again, to work with the administration, our colleagues in the Senate as well, and all the other stakeholders to see how we can further improve our economy, increase our tourism, and increase revenue to provide better public service for the people of the CNMI.”

Villagomez said he’s also ready to work with the Senate in crafting new laws that would help in the CNMI’s economic recovery.

“I mean, of course, disagreements are bound to happen, but that's part of the process of progress.”

Aside from incumbents Mendiola, King-Nabors, Manglona, and Cruz, Sen. Jude Hofschneider of Tinian and Sens. Corina Magofna and Celina Roberto Babauta of Saipan, also sworn in yesterday were freshmen senators Manny Gregory Castro of Saipan and Ronnie Mendiola Calvo of Rota.

In the House, Precinct 1 lawmakers sworn in were Camacho and Reps. Joseph Arriola Flores, Rep. Roy Christopher Ada, Roman Benavente, Vincent Seman Aldan, and freshman representative Raymond Ulloa Palacios.

Reps. John Paul Palacios Sablan and another freshman lawmaker, Daniel Aquino, were sworn in as Precinct 2 lawmakers, while headlining Precinct 3 representatives are Villagomez and Flores along with Reps. Denita Yangtemai, Blas Jonathan “BJ” Attao, Ralph Yumul, and another first-termer, Elias M. Rangamar.

For Precinct 4, Reps. Joel Camacho and Malcolm Omar were also inaugurated yesterday. Ditto for Reps. Thomas John Manglona and Angelo Camacho for Precinct 5.

Reps. Patrick San Nicolas and Julie Marie Ogo were also sworn in for precincts 6 and 7, respectively.

Castro, one of two newcomers in the Senate, thanked his constituents, fellow public servants, and the private sector for their continued faith in the Commonwealth, adding that like them he will continue to look forward and focus on positive things.

Calvo, for his part, is undaunted in the task at hand as the former educator promised his very best in serving the people of the CNMI.

“I’m ready to tackle the challenges before us and build a future that reflects the best of who we are. As I prepare to take office, I am reminded that this is not the end of the journey, but the beginning. The work of building a better future requires perseverance, collaboration, and courage.”

Rangamar, a former national basketball and track and field coach, provided some levity during the proceedings when he said that the only other time he was in front of the microphone was when used to be interviewed by retired sports reporter Bob Coldeen. He also joked about he and his wife’s quest to have a son and ultimately having one after he won a bet that she would win a medal. Dolores, a CNMI sports of famer in track and field, and Rangamar welcomed their fifth child that they aptly named Atlas (as in at last) in 2007.

Aquino, meanwhile, honored the memory of his late brother who helped him during his campaign.

“I was told that my path to victory was near impossible and that I had no chance of winning because my opponent locked in key endorsements. But the truth is, only God could make anything possible through prayer and I felt God's presence through my brother, Frank, as we discussed strategy weeks before his untimely death. It was always our dream to run for public office so we can help the people of the CNMI. I want to take this time out to say, ‘Chief, we did it!’”

Palacios, meanwhile, started his speech congratulating U.S. President-elect Donald J. Trump and U.S. Vice President-elect James David Vance on their upcoming inauguration. He then promised to serve the people of the Commonwealth to the best of his ability.

“I am a humble servant of God with a mission and purpose to serve his people with transparency, fairness, empathy, dedication, and respect. I will ensure that people's voices are heard and their needs are addressed with integrity, wisdom, justice, and upholding with God and the principle of righteousness in all legislative action for a better quality of life for all.”