Senate unanimously confirms two reappointments to Cinema Scholarship Board

Saipan — The Northern Mariana Islands Senate on June 26 unanimously confirmed two executive reappointments to the Cinema Scholarship Board of Directors representing the third senatorial district.

By voice votes adopting Standing Committee Reports 24-89 and 24-90, the Senate confirmed Donna M. Flores and Monique Boyer Sablan, respectively. The actions followed presentations by the Senate Committee on Executive Appointments and Government Investigations, which reviewed written and oral testimony and the nominees’ submitted documents.

“After review and consideration of testimonies provided, your committee recommends the confirmation of Miss Donna M. Flores,” Committee Chairman Senator Francisco Q. Cruz told the Senate as he presented report 24-89. Chairman Cruz said the committee received two oral testimonies and one written testimonial in support of each nominee and no oral or written testimony in opposition. He noted the committee also included recommendations and issues for the appointees to consider if confirmed.

The committee cited compliance with internal Senate procedures (Rule 8, Section 5) and 3CMC subsection 103 in its report on Flores. For both nominees the committee reported similar findings and recommended confirmation after the May 28 public hearings held in the Senate chamber.

Jean Paul B. Courageous, special assistant to the governor, appeared during the public-comment portion to express the administration’s appreciation and to note the governor and lieutenant governor’s support for the nominees. “We extend our sincere appreciation for your generous and favorable consideration on behalf of our nominees,” he said.

Both standing committee reports were moved and seconded on the Senate floor and then approved by recorded voice votes in which seven members voted yes. No members recorded opposition or abstention on the record.

The confirmations close a step in filling vacancies on boards and commissions the administration described as necessary to finalize its appointments. The committee reports included procedural recommendations the appointees should address while serving on the board.

The Senate recessed briefly after the second confirmation and then resumed to consider conference committee reports and appropriations.

What happens next: The confirmed appointees will serve on the Cinema Scholarship Board of Directors representing the third senatorial district; any conditions or recommendations cited by the committee are recorded in the respective standing committee reports.