House JGO committee recommends reappointment of Florence Calvo and Elouin R. Baza to Saipan higher-education aid board

The House Judiciary and Governmental Operations Committee voted Aug. 18, 2025, to recommend that the full House approve the reappointment of Florence Calvo and Elouin R. Baza to the Saipan Higher Educational Financial Assistance board, following a brief review of the mayor’s nomination packet and a unanimous voice vote, Committee Chair Representative Edmund S. Villegomez said.

The committee’s action moves a committee report recommending approval to the full House. The committee recessed briefly to review the nominees’ resumes and supporting documents before returning to discuss the mayor’s communication, numbered 24-05, which requested the reappointments.

Representative Marissa Flores read portions of a letter of support from the mayor’s office into the record. Quoting the mayor’s letter, Flores said, “Both Miss Calvo and Miss Baza have provided invaluable insights and leadership throughout their tenure, significantly contributing to the success of SHEFA. Under their guidance, SHEFA has strengthened its commitment to ensuring that we continue to invest in the future of our community.” Flores added that, with the mayor’s support, she had no objection to recommending their continued service.

Chairman Edmund S. Villegomez told members the two nominees had gone through a vetting process in the previous legislature under then-chairwoman, former Senate President Edith De Leon Guerrero, and had been “unanimously supported” at that time, which the committee noted in considering the reappointments. After a motion to send a committee report recommending approval was made and seconded, the committee conducted a voice vote. The chair announced, “The ayes have it,” and the motion carried.

No public comments were recorded on the agenda item during the meeting. The committee did not request additional hearings or question the nominees further at this session; instead it directed a report recommending approval to the full House as the next step.

The mayor’s communication is identified in the meeting record as Mayor’s Communication No. 24-05 and requests reappointment of Florence Calvo and Elouin R. Baza to the Saipan Higher Educational Financial Assistance board (SHEFA). The committee packet included resumes and supporting documents that members reviewed during a brief recess.

The committee adjourned after completing its business; the committee report will be transmitted to the full House for final consideration.