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Senate committee hears nomination of Sharon Manglodia to Commonwealth Election Commission
Summary
The Senate committee held a public hearing July 23, 2026, on the nomination of Sharon Manglodia to the Commonwealth Election Commission for the 1st Senatorial District. Witnesses and senators emphasized election administration, voter registration outreach and funding; no confirmation vote occurred at the hearing.
Senator Francisco Q. Cruz, chair of the Senate Standing Committee on Executive Appointments and Government Investigations, opened a public hearing on July 23, 2026, in the Senate Chamber at Capitol Hill, Saipan, to consider Governor David M. Apatang’s nomination of Sharon Manglodia to the Commonwealth Election Commission to represent the 1st Senatorial District.
Jean Paul B. Regis, special assistant to the governor, introduced the nominee and said the administration supports her confirmation. "Miss Manglona is an outstanding public servant with more than 30 years of experience in administration and accounting at the Department of Finance on the pristine island of Rota," Regis told the committee.
Sharon Manglodia, who took the oath before delivering testimony, said she has begun reviewing commission rules and pledged to work with board members and staff if confirmed. "If confirmed, one of my priorities will be [to] thoroughly review and become familiar with the commission's roles, regulations, policies, and procedures," she said.
Benoit Sithaiskan, outreach coordinator for the Commonwealth Election Commission who sat in for executive director Kayla S. Iguito, endorsed the nomination and highlighted the nominee's long finance career and community involvement. Sithaiskan said staffing and outreach are vital as the commonwealth recovers from recent typhoons.
Senators on the committee framed the discussion around election administration ahead of the next cycle. Senator Ronnie Cabo offered full support, saying Manglodia "possesses the quality necessary to fulfill these important responsibilities with honor and distinction." Floor leader Senator Donald M. Magofna pressed the nominee on whether she would review existing policies and regulations and noted pending topics for the commission, including absentee-ballot rules, early voting windows and administrative amendments to election law.
Committee staff provided operational details during the hearing: the commission reported recent voter turnout figures of about 69% in 2022 and about 73% in 2024, and staff noted the upcoming voter registration deadline as September 4. Sithaiskan said the commission plans to resume planned registration drives to Rota and Tinian that were postponed after recent storms and that the commission had submitted a written letter of support for the nominee.
The clerk recorded five written testimonies in support of Manglodia from Kayla I. Magofna (executive director, Commonwealth Election Commission), Christine Cabrera (Rota Department of Public Safety), Imelda Hokug, Avery H. Calvo and Angel S. Hokug; the committee reported no written opposition.
No confirmation vote was held at the hearing. Chairman Cruz said the record and written testimonies will be included in the committee recommendation to the full Senate. The committee formally adopted the meeting agenda at the start of the session and later moved to adjourn; both motions carried.
The committee closed the public hearing and adjourned without voting on the nomination at that session. Any further committee action, including a formal confirmation vote by the full Senate, will follow the committee's reporting process.
