The CNMI gubernatorial leadership: 1978-2004

First of five parts

The CNMI became a bona fide Commonwealth in 1978. Over the past 26 years, the registered electorate in the CNMI has elected six governors to provide leadership, direction, and vision for the island community. Of the six governors, two were affiliated with the Democrat Party and three with the Grand Old Party (GOP). One of the governors, Pedro P. Tenorio, a Republican, served three terms covering a span of 12 years. The names of the governors and their terms in office are: Carlos S. Camacho (Democrat) 1978 to 1982; Pedro P. Tenorio (Republican) 1982 to 1990; Lorenzo I. De Leon Guerrero (Republican) 1990 to 1994; Froilan C. Tenorio (Democrat) 1994 to 1998; Pedro P. Tenorio (Republican) 1998 to 2002; and Juan N. Babauta (Republican) 2002 to present.

During the administrations of each of the above-referenced governors, there were fiscal decisions made by each governor based on advice conveyed to them by their closest advisers that either helped or hindered the financial health of the CNMI. The economic reports that have been generated by the CNMI Department of Finance and Bank of Hawaii since the inception of the Commonwealth have meticulously delineated the financial particulars of what transpired fiscally during the terms of all of the CNMI governors.

Because the “truth” should always be in the forefront for the electorate, it is vitally important that the entire island community be made aware of the “true facts” involving all of the leaders who have been elected as governor for the CNMI. Understanding these facts will enable everyone to utilize a “fact check” and discern whether anything that any former or current governor says reflects the “truth” or something other than the truth.

The following cliché is something that I consider relative and perhaps it might keep everything in the proper perspective; and it goes like this: Figures don’t lie, but liars figure. Figures are substantive unless they have been manipulated, and rhetoric is empty unless is reflects the truth.

From 1978 through 1988

The Northern Mariana Islands Economic Report generated by the Bank of Hawaii in 1995 stated that “during the first decade of the Commonwealth from 1978 through 1988, the CNMI maintained “balanced budgets.” With respect to giving credit for maintaining fiscal responsibility for the Commonwealth, Carlos S. Camacho and Pedro P. Tenorio were the governors who clearly kept the fiscal reigns of the CNMI government under very good control and did not allow the island community to experience the hardship of operating under a deficit and having to deal with fiscal constraints. Unfortunately, this financial stability that was established by these two fiscally-minded governors during the late 1970’s and 1980’s is a thing of the past and a far cry from what currently exists today.

The Bank of Hawaii economic report of 1995 also revealed that “in the 1988-1991 economic booms, the CNMI produced a surplus of revenues in each of the four fiscal years. The total amount of revenues collected versus what was expended during the abovementioned four-year timeframe were included in the BOH economic report of 1999; they are as follows and depict “millions of dollars”: 1988 (Revenues–87,301; Expenditures–42,049); 1989 (Revenues—95,750; Expenditures—81,217); 1990 (Revenues—116,749; Expenditures—108,632); 1991 (Revenues—151,019; Expenditures—156.319). The net result of all four fiscal years was a surplus of nearly $70 million.

Hence, Pedro P. Tenorio was able to move the government into a surplus mode for the last two years of his second term from 1988 to 1990 and maintained the fiscal stability for the CNMI that Carlos S. Camacho established as the first governor.

In summary, the CNMI enjoyed “balanced budgets” and the generation of surplus revenues during the governorships of Carlos S. Camacho and Pedro P. Tenorio’s. Because they exercised control in keeping the government fiscally stable, both Carlos S. Camacho and Pedro P. Tenorio should be recognized as two of the most fiscally responsible governors in the history of the CNMI.

To be continued.

Dr. Jesus D. Camacho
Delano, California