Benigno R. Fitial

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Benigno Repeki Fitial (November 27 1945) is the Governor of Northern Mariana Islands, elected on November 6, 2005. He was previously the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the 24th Territorial Legislature. He is a member of the Covenant Party. He is elected of the district 3 (Saipan and Northern Islands).

He is the sixth elected Governor of the United States Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Many observers and prominent publications (such as the Marianas Variety) have accused Fitial of concentrating power in his office and making decisions autocratically [link]. This includes a decision made to abolish the autonomy of at least two government agencies, with their functions being transferred to the executive [link]. The governor and his supporters have asserted that drastic measures need to be taken to cut excessive government spending during the tenure of the previous governor, Juan Babauta. However, according to tradition, the governor and lieutenant governor were issued new Nissan Pathfinder SEs worth $30,000 each [link].

Fitial describes himself as a "good friend" of convicted US lobbyist Jack Abramoff [link].

His marital status: Married, 6 children, 4 grandchildren

Education: Graduated with honors, Mt. Carmel High School, 1964 - Bachelor of Business Administration with an emphasis on business management, University of Guam, recognized as a "Distinguished Alumni"

Election 2005

Work Experience:

Government:
*Speaker of the House of Representatives, 3rd, 12th, & 14th NMI Legislature
*Vice Speaker, 5th NMI Legislature
*Minority Leader, 2nd & 4th NMI Legislature
*Chief Administrative Officer, 1st NMI Legislature
*Budget Officer, 1st NMI Legislature
*Budget Analyst, Trust Territory Government
*News Director, KJQR Radio Station

has been featured in encyclopedias read throughout the world

Business:
*President, Bank of Saipan
*Vice President, Tan Holdings Corporation
*Special Consultant, L&T Corporation
*President, Century Insurance Corporation
*President, Century Travel Corporation
*President, Consolidated Transportation Services Inc. (CTSI)
*President, Pacific Oriental Inc. (POI)
*President, Home Improvement (MPI)

politics & Civic Contributions:

*Founder, CNMI Covenant Party
*Chairman, Northern Marianas Republican Party
*Chairman, Bush for President Committee for the CNMI
*Chairman, CNMI Zoning Board
*Chairman, NMI Trusteeship Termination Task Force
*Chairman, 1st CNMI Civil Service Commission
*Chairman, Saipan Municipal Scholarship Board
*Member, CNMI Tax Task Force
*Member, Republican Presidential Task Force (US)
*Delegate, 1st Northern Marianas Constitutional Convention
*Chairman, Constitutional Convention Committee(s) on Tax, Public Debt, Education, & Local Government

External link

[Covenant Party Site]

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