Senate committee hears testimony on Eusebio M. Manglona’s nomination to Commonwealth Ports Authority board

The Senate Committee on Executive Appointments and Government Investigation heard public testimony Thursday on Governor David M. Apatang and Lieutenant Governor Dennis C. Mendiola’s nomination of Eusebio M. Manglona to the Commonwealth Ports Authority board to represent the First Senatorial District (Rota). The hearing took place at the Rota Mayor’s Office Conference Hall and included written statements and multiple oral endorsements from municipal leaders and agency staff.

Jean Paul B. Regis, special assistant to the governor, introduced the nominee and said the administration submitted required documents and ‘‘is confident that he is well prepared to answer any questions you may have and share his preliminary vision for the future.’’ The nominee, Eusebio M. Manglona, told the committee he sees CPA’s role as balancing ‘‘operational excellence with innovation and environmental responsibility’’ and said his guiding principle will be ‘‘service to our community, our economy, and the vision of a world-class transportation agency.’’

Rota Mayor Aubrey Hochuk and written testimony from CPA executive director Escherlita Esther Adao and other local officials described Manglona’s more than 25 years in law enforcement and his recent role as a program manager under the governor. Albert A. Titano, ports manager for Rota, told the committee the CPA board has been operating without a quorum for more than a month and urged prompt confirmation so the board can act on pending projects, including a U.S. Air Force project at Benjamin T. Mongolonia International Airport and planned improvements at Tomas C. Mendiola West Harbor (repair of Berth 1 and 2, and construction of new warehouses and offices).

Members of the public who testified echoed the endorsements, citing Manglona’s emergency-response leadership during typhoons and his experience coordinating with federal partners. Several speakers tied the nominee’s qualifications to current and anticipated military activity on Rota, saying the island needs a CPA board member who understands Department of Defense coordination and can represent Rota’s interests during lease negotiations.

Committee members questioned Manglona about community engagement and priorities if confirmed. Senator Noel M. Cabo urged that any lease or land-use agreement involving military activity be returned to Rota for public comment before a final board vote; Manglona said he would ‘‘let the people decide’’ and supported additional outreach. Senators also pressed him on immediate infrastructure priorities (airport apron repairs, awarding contracts more quickly), airline incentives to attract flights, vendor-fee structures, and an ongoing dispute cited between CPA and Star Marianas over passenger fees.

Senators raised funding and procurement concerns using Tinian as an example: during the hearing members referenced a previously negotiated Tinian lease reported at $21.9 million, of which $4.9 million had been spent and about $17 million remaining with limited public accounting available in the record. Multiple senators warned that infrastructure or equipment shortfalls (for example, firefighting apparatus) could create liability if large military or construction projects proceed without adequate local emergency capacity.

No confirmation vote was recorded at the hearing. Chairman Francisco Cruz said written and oral testimony will be compiled into the committee’s recommendation report for consideration by the full Senate. Procedural motions to adopt the hearing agenda and to adjourn were moved, seconded and passed during the session.

The record assembled at this public hearing — written letters, oral testimony and the nominee’s remarks — will be forwarded with the committee’s report to the full Senate for its consideration of confirmation.