Fitial also withdrew the re-nomination of five other political appointees based on Attorney General Edward Buckingham’s legal opinion that those previously confirmed during the governor’s first term need not go through the same process.
The governor withdrew the renominations of Faisao, Chief Public Defender Adam Hardwicke, Department of Public Safety Commissioner Santiago F. Tudela, Commerce Secretary Michael Ada, Department of Lands and Natural Resources Secretary Dr. Ignacio T. Dela Cruz and Buckingham.
Faisao was next on the Senate’s list for confirmation.
Buckingham’s legal opinion was published in the Commonwealth Register Feb. 3 and was released early this month.
The governor renominated Buckingham on Feb. 16, or nearly two weeks after the publication of the legal opinion.
