Benigno Fitial

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Governor Benigno Fitial announced in March 2009 that he would seek re-election to a second term in November. [26]

On June 12, 2009, Fitial presided over Covenant Party midterm rally in Susupe with an estimated crowd of approximately 3,000 people in attendance. [27] Fitial and Inos officially filed to run for re-election with the CNMI Election Commission on July 23, 2009, in the presence of nearly 200 family and supporters. [27] In the November 2009 gubernatorial election, Fitial was challenged by the Republican nominee, Heinz Hofschneider, as well as independent candidates Juan Pan Guerrero and Ramon "Kumoi" Guerrero. In March 2009, Fitial had publicly stated that he will retire from politics if his re-election bid was unsuccessful. [28] In the general election, Hofschneider led Fitial by just 8 votes; because none of the candidates won a majority, a runoff between Hofschneider and Fitial was triggered. [29] [30] Fitial won the runoff by 370 votes and therefore was re-elected. [31] Due to a newly ratified legislative initiative, Fitial was expected to serve a five-year term, as the next gubernatorial election would now be held in 2014. [31]

Impeachment

Fitial became the first governor in any US insular area and the 13th in the history of the nation to be impeached (February 11, 2013). [1] The CNMI House of Representatives pre-filed 18 Articles of Impeachment against Fitial on the day of their Inauguration (January 14, 2013). [32] They voted to adopt 13 of the Articles of Impeachment on February 11, 2013, and adopted the remaining 5 Articles of Impeachment on February 12, 2013. All 18 charges were transmitted to the Senate where Fitial would have stood trial had he not resigned.

House Votes:

Benigno Fitial
Benigno Fitial 2009.jpg
Fitial in 2009
7th Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands
In office
January 9, 2006 February 20, 2013
ChargeYesNoAbstain
Article 1Commission of Felony1640
Article 2Commission of Felony1640
Article 3Commission of Felony1640
Article 4Commission of Felony1640
Article 5Corruption1640
Article 6Corruption1640
ChargeYesNoAbstain
Article 7Corruption1640
Article 8Corruption1640
Article 9Corruption1640
Article 10Neglect1631
Article 11Neglect1640
Article 12Neglect1640
ChargeYesNoAbstain
Article 13Neglect1640
Article 14Neglect1640
Article 15Neglect1541
Article 16Neglect1631
Article 17Neglect1640
Article 18Neglect1640

"No" votes: Minority leader George Camacho (R-Saipan), Reps. Felicidad Ogumoro (R-Saipan), Teresita Santos (R-Rota), and Richard Seman (R-Saipan) === except for Article 10 - Rep. George Camacho abstained due to conflict.

"Yes" votes: House Speaker Joseph Deleon Guerrero (IR-Saipan), Vice Speaker Frank Dela Cruz (IR-Saipan), floor leader Ralph Demapan (Cov-Saipan), Reps. Antonio Agulto (IR-Saipan), Anthony Benavente (IR-Saipan), Roman Benavente (IR-Saipan), Trenton Conner (Ind-Tinian), Lorenzo Deleon Guerrero (IR-Saipan), Cris Leon Guerrero (Cov-Saipan), Janet Maratita (IR-Saipan), John P. Sablan (Cov-Saipan), Tony Sablan (IR-Saipan), Mario Taitano (IR-Saipan), Ray Tebuteb (IR-Saipan), Edmund Villagomez (Cov-Saipan), and Ralph Yumul (IR-Saipan) === except for Article 15 - Rep. Roman Benavente abstained unknown reasons.

Career prior to governorship

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Marianas Variety - IMPEACHED!". Archived from the original on February 14, 2013.
  2. 1 2 Eugenio, Haidee V. (January 8, 2011). "Fitial now back to Republican Party, Governor's end goal to merge Covenant with GOP". Saipan Tribune . Archived from the original on March 23, 2012. Retrieved January 8, 2011.
  3. "House resolution" (PDF). cnmileg.gov.mp. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  4. "Marianas Variety - New governor, lt. governor". Archived from the original on February 22, 2013.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Casas, Gemma Q. (September 28, 2009). "Fitial, Inos hold rally". Marianas Variety . Archived from the original on May 24, 2015. Retrieved October 11, 2009.
  6. "Distinguished Alumni" Archived July 10, 2006, at the Wayback Machine
  7. 1 2 "Home". Pacificislands.cc. April 15, 2021. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  8. Zotomayor, Alexie (December 5, 2012). "2010 Census: More Asians than Pacific Islanders in NMI". Marianas Variety. Retrieved December 14, 2012.
  9. Zotomayor, Alexie (December 6, 2012). "Census: 49.36% of residents born in NMI". Marianas Variety. Retrieved December 14, 2012.
  10. 1 2 "Governor Spouse's Information, Josie Fitial". National Governors Association . Archived from the original on September 13, 2008. Retrieved January 3, 2009.
  11. Casas, Gemma Q. (May 5, 2009). "From waiting tables to meeting 3 US presidents". Marianas Variety . Retrieved July 18, 2009.
  12. 1 2 "REPORT: ABRAMOFF TRIED TO TURN CNMI ELECTION - June 27, 2006". Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved December 5, 2006.
  13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Hernandez, Criselda B. (2005). "Politics: 4-Way Gubernatorial Election Heats Up". Islands Business . Archived from the original on February 23, 2012. Retrieved October 11, 2009.
  14. "Lt. Governor Not Committed To Running For Re-Election, Report Says". Marianas Variety . Pacific Magazine. July 3, 2008. Retrieved July 2, 2008.[ permanent dead link ]
  15. Deposa, Moneth (August 11, 2009). "Dr. Rita Inos, 55, dies of cancer". Saipan Tribune . Archived from the original on February 24, 2012. Retrieved August 18, 2009.
  16. "GOP IN LANDSLIDE CNMI VICTORY: BABAUTA GOVERNOR | Pacific Islands Report". Archived from the original on January 30, 2021. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
  17. "CNMI election outcome hinges on absentee ballots yet to be counted". Radio New Zealand International . November 7, 2005. Retrieved October 11, 2009.
  18. "New look for Fitial Cabinet". Archived from the original on May 23, 2006. Retrieved June 23, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  19. "Marianas Variety On-Line Edition". Archived from the original on May 14, 2006.
  20. "FITIAL INITIATIVES RAISE QUESTIONS IN CNMI". Marianas Variety. February 3, 2006. Archived from the original on May 17, 2011. Retrieved May 27, 2009.
  21. Casas, Gemma Q. "NEW CARS FOR GOVERNOR, LIEUTENANT IN CNMI". Marianas Variety. Archived from the original on November 23, 2008. Retrieved May 27, 2009.
  22. "CNMI Governor Recoverning from Back Surgery". East West Center . November 1, 2006. Archived from the original on June 16, 2011. Retrieved October 11, 2009.
  23. 1 2 3 Eaton, Kristi (April 27, 2000). "Villagomez resigns". Saipan Tribune . Archived from the original on January 26, 2016. Retrieved October 11, 2009.
  24. Eaton, Kristi (April 28, 2000). "Fitial appoints Inos as lt. gov; Senate could vote tomorrow". Saipan Tribune . Archived from the original on February 24, 2012. Retrieved October 11, 2009.
  25. 1 2 Casas, Gemma Q. (May 4, 2000). "New CNMI Lieutenant Governor Confirmed". East West Center . Marianas Variety News & Views. Archived from the original on June 16, 2011. Retrieved October 11, 2009.
  26. Rabago, Mark (January 7, 2009). "Kumoi launches bid for gubernatorial post". Saipan Tribune . Archived from the original on February 24, 2012. Retrieved October 13, 2009.
  27. 1 2 Deposa, Moneth (July 28, 2009). "Ben & Eloy files election candidacy". Saipan Tribune . Archived from the original on February 24, 2012. Retrieved October 11, 2009.
  28. "CNMI Governor to quit politics if he loses November election". Radio New Zealand International . March 16, 2009. Retrieved October 11, 2009.
  29. Eugenio, Haidee V. (November 9, 2009). "Independents to seal Heinz or Fitial victory". Saipan Tribune . Archived from the original on March 8, 2012. Retrieved November 15, 2009.
  30. Eugenio, Haidee V. (November 23, 2009). "CNMI holds first runoff election". Saipan Tribune . Archived from the original on January 12, 2012. Retrieved November 23, 2009.
  31. 1 2 Eugenio, Haidee V. (December 8, 2009). "Fitial seals victory with 370 lead". Saipan Tribune . Archived from the original on August 14, 2011. Retrieved December 20, 2009.
  32. "Saipan Tribune". Archived from the original on January 27, 2013. Retrieved February 13, 2013.
Political offices
Preceded by Governor of the Northern Mariana Islands
2006–2013
Succeeded by