Apatang, Mendiola sworn in as NMI governor and lieutenant governor

In a somber ceremony, Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro, Northern Mariana Islands Supreme Court, administered the oath of office to now Gov. David M. Apatang and Lt. Gov. Dennis C. Mendiola on the morning of July 24.

Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro, Northern Mariana Islands Supreme Court, administers the oath of office to Gov. David M. Apatang on July 24. Photos courtesy Office of the Governor.

The ceremony follows the sudden passing of Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, age 69. He was medically evacuated to Guam on July 23 following what was called a medical incident. Palacios died that night. Apatang shared condolences to First Lady Wella Palacios and their children and families. He asked people of the Marianas to keep in their prayers the Palacios family.

In their remarks during the ceremony, Apatang and Mendiola acknowledged the deep sadness of the occasion, paying tribute to the late governor.

"This is a sad day," Apatang said. "But we honor Governor Palacios by continuing the work he began -- with the same heart for service and commitment to our islands."

Gov. David M. Apatang and Lt. Gov. Dennis C. Mendiola, of the Northern Mariana Islands, shake hands after they were sworn into office on July 24. Photo courtesy Office of the Governor

Mendiola, who had served as the Senate President, representing Rota, said in a press release, "Now is a time for unity and compassion."

Following the ceremony, Mendiola remarked on the bittersweet moment, saying he was "humbled and honored to be sworn in as the lieutenant governor of the Northern Mariana Islands."
"As we celebrate this moment of service, we continue to lift up prayers for the late Gov. Arnold Palacios, an exceptional leader whose legacy will continue to guide us."

Apatang, 77, had served as lieutenant governor since 2023, working alongside Palacios. He was born in Guam where he attended George Washington High School. He served in the U.S. Army and retired as a first sergeant after a 20-year career as recruiter, platoon sergeant, operations officer, station commander, drill sergeant, and Equal Opportunity NCO, according to his official biography.

In his civilian life, he worked with the Department of Finance as the chief of procurement and supply, then acting director of finance and accounting through 1996. He also served as the state director of the U.S. Selective Service System. In 1997 he joined the political scene, serving on the Northern Mariana Islands Municipal Council through 1999. He then successfully ran for NMI Legislature, where he served through 2011. In 2015 he was sworn in as the mayor of Saipan and serve until 2023.

Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro, Northern Mariana Islands Supreme Court, administers the oath of office to now Lt. Gov. Dennis C. Mendiola on the morning of July 24. Holding the Bible is Mendiola's son, Brian, as Gov. David M. Apatang looks on. Photo courtesy Office of the Governor.

Mendiola graduated from Simon Sanchez High School in 1996. He has served as the commissioner of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Department of Fire and Emergency Medical Services. A Republican, Mendiola ran in 2022 for Senate and was sworn into office on January 2023. His term with the Senate was slated to end in 2027. mbj