Funeral services for Lifoifoi this Saturday

Funeral services for former House speaker and Commonwealth Ports Authority board chair Jose R. Lifoifoi will be held tomorrow, Saturday.

A public viewing will be held Saturday at the Sta. Remedios Church in Tanapag before the 11am Mass. Burial will follow at the Tanapag Cemetery.

Lifoifoi’s wife, Cecilia, described him as a very responsible, loving, and caring husband. “He wants to make sure that I am very happy and content,” she said.

The two met in Manila, in the Philippines in the late ’90s. They got married on July 10, 2009.

Lifoifoi passed away on Saipan due to cardiac arrest last May 18. He was 83.

Lifoifoi had seven children—Paterno Hocog, Angel Hocog, Joseph T. Lifoifoi (deceased), Josephine Tajibmai (deceased), Ignacia Evangelista, Remedio Pangelinan, and Joseph Lifoifoi Jr.

Sen. Teresita A. Santos (Ind-Rota), who expressed sadness about the passing of the former CPA chairman and former House speaker, described him yesterday as “a man of compassion with a distinguished personality.”

“He extended his unending love and unselfish support to our communities. May our condolences bring the family comfort, and may our prayers ease the pain of the grieving family during this difficult time. Thank you for your service to our Commonwealth,” the senator said.

Lifoifoi stepped down as a member of the CPA board on Jan. 7, 2019, citing health reason. He was on the board for 16 years, 14 of which as chairman.

Lifoifoi was a representative in the 4th CNMI Legislature from 1984 to 1985. He also served as speaker of the CNMI House of Representatives from 1986 to 1987. He was chairman of the United Micronesia Development Association since 2007.

Lifoifoi was a trusted friend of the late business tycoon, Larry Hillblom. He was the trustee of the Liquidating Trust of the Hillblom estate from March 2000 to March 2002. He was president of the Pacific Marine & Industrial Corp. from 1991 to June 2002.

He was Palau’s honorary consul to the CNMI since Oct. 22, 2001. He was a senior adviser for the Executive Branch during the term of Pedro Tenorio as governor from 1998 to 2000. He was also a senior adviser for the CNMI and Micronesia to Guam Gov. Carl T. Gutierrez from 1995 to 2000.

Lifoifoi was the chairman for land and personal rights at the 3rd CNMI Constitutional Convention in 1995.