23rd House holds final session with three outgoing representatives

01/07/25 - The 23rd CNMI House of Representatives held its final session—sine die—on Tuesday afternoon.

It is also the final session for Representatives Ed Propst, Manny Castro, and Vicente Camacho. Propst lost the race for the U.S. delegate seat, Castro won Saipan’s seat in the Senate, and Camacho did not garner enough votes in his precinct to stay in office.

Incoming members who won their elections on Saipan are Representative-elect Raymond U. Palacios, Representative-elect Daniel I. Aquino Jr., and Representative-elect Elias M. Rangamar. They will take their oath of office alongside other legislators on Monday, January 13, 2025.

Marianas Press’ Thomas Manglona spoke with House Speaker Edmund Villagomez as he is expected to remain in that position in the next legislature. Rep. Villagomez reflected on the past term and plans for the next legislature.

“It is always stressful whenever you are in an economic slump,” the speaker said.

Watch the full interview below. 

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Story and video by Thomas Manglona II