Pai commits to 2nd term if reappointed

Public Auditor Michael Pai said yesterday he is committed to serving a second term if Gov. Eloy S. Inos reappoints him. Some lawmakers separately interviewed yesterday said they are looking forward to Pai’s reappointment, pointing out that under his leadership the Office of the Public Auditor has successfully gone after those who have committed corruption and other wrongdoings in public office, including a former governor and a former attorney general.

The governor confirmed Saturday he has checked a few individuals for the public auditor’s post, but clarified that he has not decided yet whether to reappoint or replace Pai.

Pai’s six-year term as CNMI public auditor ends on Oct. 26, just a few days before the Nov. 4 general elections.

“I have told the governor my desire to be committed to a second term and if he sees fit to reappoint me, I’m ready to continue working,” Pai said in an interview with Saipan Tribune at his office on Capital Hill yesterday.

Pai made it clear that the decision rests with the governor.

House Vice Speaker Frank Dela Cruz (Ind-Saipan) said yesterday if Pai isn’t reappointed, he will be introducing a legislative initiative that will make the public auditor position an elected one, like what he did with the attorney general post.

Because of Dela Cruz’s previous initiative, the CNMI will elect for the first time their attorney general on Nov. 4.

“I think that Mr. Pai has demonstrated true professionalism within the Office of the Public Auditor. I feel that he should be reappointed by this administration,” Dela Cruz said yesterday.

The governor’s appointment of a public auditor requires the advice and consent of each chamber of the CNMI Legislature.

Pai said he would like to “continue the changes that we’re implementing in the office to do a better job in our auditing and investigative work.”

In a few meetings over the last two to three months between the public auditor and the governor, Pai said he had told the governor of his commitment to a second term if reappointed.

The governor said he will be meeting with Pai in the next week or two to discuss this and other matters related to OPA.

Pai said he looks forward to that meeting with the governor about the latter’s plans for OPA and “whether or not I will be reappointed.”

“It’s the governor’s choice if he wants to seek other candidates. That’s perfectly within his rights. I don’t feel anything one way or the other,” Pai added.

Rep. Ralph Yumul (Ind-Saipan) said yesterday Pai has been a “fair” public auditor over the past six years.

Yumul, however, acknowledged that the decision to reappoint Pai rests with the Inos administration.

Rep. Ray Tebuteb (Ind-Saipan) separately said Pai “should be reappointed,” citing his strong belief that Pai “has done an excellent job.”

But just like other lawmakers’ statements, Tebuteb said reappointment is the governor’s prerogative.

Pai was appointed by Inos’ predecessor, former governor Benigno R. Fitial, the first CNMI governor to be impeached by the House of Representatives for corruption, felony and neglect of duty. Fitial resigned days before the start of his impeachment trial at the Senate. A corruption case against Fitial is still ongoing, with OPA’s legal counsel George Hasselback as special prosecutor.

With Pai at the helm of OPA, other high-profile corruption cases were pursued including those involving then-attorney general Edward T. Buckingham.

Buckingham was found guilty of all public corruption charges except one and was sentenced to 3.5 years in prison, all suspended. He is the CNMI’s first attorney general to be found guilty of corruption charges.

Glen Hunter, a concerned citizen, said yesterday it was “frustrating” to know that “the rumors circulating are true”—that the governor is looking for other candidates to fill the public auditor position.

“Many in the community have had deep concerns about the long and tight relationship shared between Governor Inos and the former impeached Governor Fitial—a relationship that spans decades and is interlaced in close private and public positions. It is my sincere belief that had Pai not been the public auditor, there is a strong chance Fitial would still be the sitting governor with Inos still sitting by him,” Hunter said.

Pai, in an interview yesterday, believes that OPA has become more proactive and tries to maintain that or even more proactive especially in its auditing work.

The public auditor also spoke about OPA’s independence.

“From what I’ve seen during my term, so far everybody has been conducting their work and themselves very independently,” he added.

Hunter said “no other public authority rose to challenge the abuses of public trust committed by Fitial other than that of OPA under Pai’s guidance.”

“When other public officials ignored the people’s calls for justice, Pai’s team took the lead in a valiant attempt to restore integrity in our government,” Hunter reiterated.

Hunter said “Inos’ silence while he was Fitial’s lieutenant was upsetting to the public while they were on the roadsides and pleading for accountability but to find out now that there is an attempt to replace Pai is far more disturbing.”

“I would encourage everyone in the community to…join me in asking that Pai be retained. The people continue to watch and should be heard,” Hunter added.

The governor said Saturday that Pai’s reappointment or replacement “depends on many things” and “an open question right now.” Inos said he has “a few names in mind” that he’s not ready to disclose yet.

The law and the Constitution are silent as to when the governor should decide to reappoint or make a new appointment for the public auditor’s position when the current term is drawing near.

Inos, when asked whether he’s satisfied with Pai’s performance, declined to comment. Again, when asked why it wouldn’t be Pai again, he countered, “Or why him again?”

OPA currently has 14 employees including the public auditor himself, two legal counsels, and auditors. Years back, OPA had a staff of about 30 individuals.

Among OPA’s ongoing performance audits involve the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp., the Department of Public Safety’s evidence room, and the Department of Finance’s Division of Customs Service.

Pai has been a certified public accountant for more than 20 years. He attended the University of Hawaii, where he completed degrees in engineering and business administration. He put up his own accounting firm in 1986, after working for a number of corporations and an accounting firm. He was also a shareholder for some businesses based in Guam, Minnesota, and Saipan.