Hofschneider: Govt in cruise control

Acting governor Jude U. Hofschneider would like to assure everyone that the CNMI government is in good hands as Gov. Eloy S. Inos continues to recuperate from a routine medical procedure at an undisclosed hospital in Metro Manila, Philippines.

“It’s just another day in the office. Unless—knock on wood—there’s something very urgent or anything for that matter to take care of. But so far the government has been on cruise control,” Hofschneider said in an interview yesterday.

In fact, Hofschneider said, the Executive Branch is business as usual and is not distracted by the upcoming elections on Nov. 4, 2014. “We’re still working despite the countdown for the next couple of weeks.”

Asked if he’s regularly communicating with Inos, the acting governor said he doesn’t need to because he wants Inos to concentrate on resting and getting well and leave the matter of governing to him and the rest of his Cabinet.

“I try to give him space. That’s why he went to Manila so he doesn’t have to worry about [this]. I also informed his daughter that things are in good hands here.”

Hofschneider, who is running to get his old seat back as Tinian senator, said he is going to miss being lieutenant governor.

“The work is actually very rewarding. Quite an experience especially the learning curve I had to go through. I’m grateful and very happy that things did happen. One thing that I’m very thankful for is that we have a very good governor that is very decisive in terms of policies that need to be implemented.”

Hofschneider said he will never forget being part of the process that helped the Commonwealth community get back on its feet following the impeachment and subsequent resignation of former governor Benigno R. Fitial in February 2013.

“The most important thing is being part of the team that brought the CNMI community back together. I’m very grateful for that and that was actually one of my objectives here. It’s time to put that issue aside and let the community come back together and be at peace.”

While he is going down a rung from being lieutenant governor to senator if he gets the mandate of the people of Tinian, Hofschneider believes he can still make a difference in the upper chamber.

“I think I still have a lot of energy and I want to extend more of my services to the network that I established and the experience that I gained. There are still a lot of good things we need to do,” he said.