House confirms Peter as CNMI’s 1st female public auditor

Kina Borja Peter and her husband, Rep. Marco T. Peter (R-Saipan), along with some family members and staff of the Office of the Public Auditor, pose with members of the House of Representatives after a confirmation hearing Tuesday afternoon. The full House unanimously confirmed Mrs. Peter as the CNMI’s first public auditor. (FERDIE DE LA TORRE)

The House of Representatives unanimously confirmed Tuesday afternoon the appointment of Kina Borja Peter to serve as the first female public auditor of the CNMI.

This developed as the Senate’s Committee on Executive Appointments and Government Investigations also held a public hearing Tuesday morning on Peter’s nomination, in which she received an outpouring support from government officials, community, and the private sector. The Senate’s Committee members have to deliberate first before coming up with a report.

The full House voted “yes” to adopt the recommendation of the House Committee on Judiciary and Governmental Operations chaired by Rep. Joel C. Camacho (R-Saipan) to accept Gov. Ralph DLG Torres’ appointment of Peter.

Peter’s husband, Rep. Marco T. Peter (R-Saipan), excused from the voting.

Mrs. Peter in an interview said she is excited and that she’s glad to be back in the CNMI.

“This is an amazing opportunity. It’s actually an opportunity for me to apply everything that I’ve learned, all the exposure that I’ve received to come back and help and serve the CNMI,” she said.

Peter said the Office of the Public Auditor has to start looking at risk-based approach, deal-risk assessment with the financial audits that they have received, assess internal controls, and try to set up and define internal controls that will help prevent and detect fraud, waste and abuse with the government resources.

She added that one of the things that she has an interest is doing digital transformation with their office just to get more efficiency and productivity.

The committee in its report, which was signed by Camacho and eight other representatives, asked that the full House membership give its advice and consent to confirm the appointment of Peter.

Camacho said the Committee has examined all pertinent documents submitted related to Peter’s overall credentials.

Camacho said the Committee also took into account all oral testimonies presented during the public hearing.

He said after much deliberation and based on the overall assessment of Peter’s overall credentials, experiences, testimonies, and other relevant issues considered, the Committee is convinced that Peter possesses the necessary qualifications and leadership skills to serve as the public auditor.

The committee received 21 written testimonies and seven oral testimonies expressing support for Peter’s nomination. No written or oral testimonies in opposition to her nomination were received.

The committee had a public hearing on Peter’s nomination last Dec. 15 at the House’s chamber on Capital Hill.

Peter earlier stated that it was her goal to eventually return to the CNMI and apply everything she had learned to help the government and the people.

“I want to contribute to the CNMI and serve the public’s interest,” Peter told the committee.

Torres appointed Peter last Nov. 25 to replace outgoing public auditor Michael Pai, who was appointed by former governor Benigno R. Fitial and served for the last 12 years.

Peter is a former senior finance leader, senior accountant, senior manager, and accounting manager for Boeing Co.

Press secretary Kevin Bautista earlier stated that Peter comes back home to serve the CNMI as a certified public accountant, licensed in the State of Washington, and has over 20 years of accounting experience with Deloitte, a big four audit firm in the CNMI and Seattle, Washington and most recently for Boeing.