Following the death of CNMI Gov. Arnold I. Palacios on Wednesday night, 77-year-old Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang has assumed the governorship.
Under the CNMI Constitution, the lieutenant governor becomes governor if the sitting governor dies, resigns, or is removed from office.
Apatang was sworn in Thursday by CNMI Chief Justice Alexandro Castro.
Senate President Dennis Mendiola now steps in as the new lieutenant governor.
Apatang was elected as lieutenant governor on an Independent ticket with Palacios in the 2022 general election.
Prior to that, he served as Saipan’s mayor for eight years, was a member of the CNMI House of Representatives, and is a U.S. Army veteran who served in the Vietnam War.
Palacios was conducting a wedding ceremony at the Governor’s Office Wednesday when he suddenly collapsed. He was taken to Commonwealth Health Corp. and later medevaced to Guam.
Guam Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero and Lt. Gov. Josh Tenorio expressed condolences, praising Palacios for his dedication to strengthening ties between Guam and the CNMI.
Flags in government offices across Guam and the CNMI will be flown at half-staff in honor of Governor Palacios’ life and legacy.
