Residents pay tribute as Palacios remains return home

07/28/2025 - The CNMI community braved the rain to line up the route from the Francisco C. Ada-Saipan International Airport to the ONRA Life Memorials (formerly Cabrera Funeral Home) and pay respects to the late governor Arnold I. Palacios last July 26. 

First lady Wella Palacios and other family members were aboard the U.S. military C-130 aircraft that brought the CNMI’s 10th governor’s remains back to the Commonwealth, whom he dutifully served for decades, first as a Cabinet secretary, then a member of the House of Representatives, House speaker, senator, Senate president, lieutenant governor, and finally governor. 

As the cargo plane taxied on the runway near the Marianas Air Connection Services’ tarmac, two Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Crash Fire Rescue Vehicles performed a water salute in honor of the governor. 

Gov. David M. Apatang then walked to the C-130 to personally offer his condolences to the first lady and the Palacios family before giving his respects to his predecessor, who he said in an earlier interview was a good friend and a relative.

“I'm still sad today. I just want to thank everybody for joining us here this morning. I know that we put out a message yesterday that the arrival of the governor is postponed until tomorrow. Somehow, the weather cooperated with the U.S. Air Force, so they decided to bring him up this morning,” he told Marianas Press.

Apatang then reminisced about his decades-long relationship with Palacios that culminated with them running on the same ticket for governor and lieutenant governor in 2023. 

“We came from the same district, District 1, in Chalan Kanoa. We grew up pretty much [together and we’re] related and family. And, you know, throughout our political career, and even in the administration, he was in Fish & Wildlife while I was next door in the procurement and supply department. And then we moved on to the political arena. So, we've been together since then. I served with him also when I was the speaker of the House,” he said.

Apatang then said that perhaps Palacios’ lasting legacy is his long public service to the CNMI.

“He's got a long history, long service to our people of the Commonwealth. Even when he was a senator and I a mayor, I always approached him for things that I needed help with for the municipality of Saipan, and he's always been receptive to helping the community here.”

He added that Palacios was a real hard worker, as the late governor almost always doesn’t take lunch breaks, and when he usually leaves their office on Capitol Hill at 4:15pm, Palacios is still there working. 

“He's a hard worker. Very, very hard. Trying to take care of our people here.”

The governor also again addressed the issue of him and Palacios always not seeing eye to eye.

“[There’s] always a perception that we have [some] misunderstanding, but like [what I said in] my speech in my inaugural, I said that whatever happens, at the end we always come back to understanding each other.”

He also reiterated that he will continue Palacios’ policies, adding that there are a lot of issues that need to be taken care of, foremost of which is continuing to establish a good relationship with the CNMI’s federal partners.

During the procession from the airport to the funeral home, dozens of residents joined various public and private agencies in honoring Palacios’ memory, with some of them waving the CNMI flag.

American Red Cross-NMI Chapter, Herman’s Modern Bakery, Joeten-Kiyu Public Library, Saipan Mayor’s Office, Commonwealth Utilities Corp., and Carolinian Affairs Office were among the entities that lined up the roadway.

CUC staff used two of their bucket truck to form an arch where Palacios’ hearse passed through, while members of the Carolinian community performed their traditional atiwa, meant to honor a great leader and help usher him to the next life.

Report by Mark Rabago