Pai reappointed as public auditor for new 6-yr. term

Michael Pai’s tenure at the helm of the Office of the Public Auditor will continue after Gov. Eloy S. Inos reappointed him for another six-year term on Monday.

“The reappointment signals the governor’s commitment to efficiency and effective government services. With this appointment, Mr. Pai will be able to continue to perform financial audits and inspections on government processes and systems to mitigate areas of apparent and inherent risks and improve services as well as prevent waste, fraud, and abuse,” an email from Inos’ public information officer, Ivan Blanco, read Monday.

The public auditor’s reappointment is contingent on the Legislature approving his nomination for a second term at OPA. This early, however, signs point toward Pai passing his confirmation hearings with flying colors.

In email to Saipan Tribune, Pai said, “I am grateful and honored to be reappointed. I look forward to serving a second term of office with the OPA team.”

The public auditor previously told the governor about his desire and commitment if reappointed to a second term.

“If he sees fit to reappoint me, I’m ready to continue working,” Pai was previously quoted as saying.

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

Pai’s reappointment ends Inos’ brief flirtation with appointing someone other than Pai to the position of public auditor.

In previous interviews with Saipan Tribune, the governor said he has checked a few individuals for the post, but clarified that he has not decided yet whether to reappoint or replace Pai.

House Vice Speaker Frank Dela Cruz (Ind-Saipan) on Monday gave credit to the governor for reappointing Pai.

“I’m pretty sure the House and the Senate will act swiftly and pass his reappointment once documents for his confirmation are received,” he said.

With Pai’s reappointment, Dela Cruz said he would now reconsider introducing a legislative initiative that will make the public auditor position an elected one, like what he did with the attorney general post. CNMI voters will vote for the first elected CNMI attorney general in the Nov. 4, 2014, polls.

House Speaker Joseph P. Deleon Guerrero (Ind-Saipan) said he’s happy that the governor opted to reappoint Pai. While reappointing Pai has always been the governor’s call, Deleon Guerrero said that Pai has been doing a “good job” and deserves a second term.

Rep. Ray Tebuteb (Ind-Saipan) said he’s grateful that Inos set politics aside and decided to give Pai a second term.

He echoed Deleon Guerrero’s comments that Pai has done a good job as head of OPA and lauded the governor for making the right choice.

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 in Guam, Minnesota, and Saipan.