Benedetto stepping down

James Benedetto will be stepping down from his position as federal ombudsman.

Benedetto confirmed to Saipan Tribune yesterday speculations he is resigning.

The federal ombudsman disclosed that he accepted an offer of employment “elsewhere in the federal system.”

Benedetto, however, is mum on his new assignment.

“Unfortunately, until certain administrative details have been worked out, I must decline further comment,” he said.

Benedetto has held the post since October 2002. In November 2007, the federal government extended his contract for another three years.

Benedetto said he considers an honor to have worked for the Office of Insular Affairs as the second Ombudsman.

“I have learned a lot from my colleagues in Interior, from those within the local government with whom I have worked so closely, and from the many, many workers who have shared their experiences with me over the years. We have all accomplished a lot together,” he said.

The ombudsman’s office provides assistance to the 30,000 plus alien workers with labor and immigration complaints. Benedetto’s leadership has earned respect and confidence from many nonresident workers.

However, Benedetto has also gained some critics, including Gov. Benigno R. Fitial, who in 2007, wrote to U.S. Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne not to reappoint the ombudsman. The governor said Benedetto is unfit for the job and must be removed from office.

The controversial Taotao Tano president, Greg Cruz, protested the ombudsman’s efforts that led to the disclosure that hundreds of guest workers have $6.1 million in unpaid Labor judgments that remain uncollected. Cruz also criticized him for participating in the December 2007 Unity March.

Benedetto also figured in a public debate with then Rep. Cinta Kaipat, who is now a Labor deputy secretary, over the administration-backed labor reform law, which is now a law.

The federal ombudsman said he is hoping that people will eventually understand that if he was critical at times, it was because he cares about the CNMI and its people.

“This is my home. And because I think working people—resident and nonresident alike—should get a better deal,” Benedetto pointed out.

Benedetto has been involved in meetings with various federal agencies on their plans to implement to the CNMI Public Law 110-229, the Consolidated Natural Resources Act of 2008 (the law to extend the Immigration and Nationality Act).