By Emmanuel T. Erediano
emmanuel@mvariety.com
Variety News Staff
THE late Lt. Gov. Diego Tenorio Benavente was laid to rest on Saturday, with CNMI officials and members of the community paying their respects alongside his bereaved family.
Following a state funeral at 9 a.m. at the multi-purpose center in Susupe — where CNMI and Pacific leaders presented memorial tributes to Benavente’s wife, Vicky I. Benavente — the public was given an opportunity to pay their last respects at a 10:30 a.m. viewing at Mount Carmel Cathedral before the interment at the Marpi Public Cemetery.
In attendance at the state funeral were Gov. David M. Apatang, Lt. Gov. Dennis James Mendiola, Guam Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero, Speaker Edmund S. Villagomez, Senate President Karl King-Nabors, other members of the CNMI Legislature, Guam Speaker Frank Blas Jr., CNMI Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexandro Castro, Superior Court Presiding Judge Roberto C. Naraja and other officials of the CNMI judiciary, Saipan Mayor Ramon Blas “RB” Camacho, Tinian Mayor Edwin P. Aldan, Rota Mayor Aubry Hocog, and Northern Islands Mayor Valentino Taisacan.
In his remarks, Apatang noted that “our culture and tradition as Chamorro and Carolinian people long recognized that we grieve with our community for the loss of a family member. This culture and tradition are dear to our hearts, and they have survived our transition from a very small community after the war to our present-day Commonwealth.”
To Mrs. Benavente and her children, the governor said, “Please know that you have us to support you in this very difficult time. We grieve with you and continue to pray for your strength.” On behalf of the CNMI, he and the lieutenant governor extended their sincere condolences to the family.
The governor said the Commonwealth lost “a member of our family who worked very hard to make our islands a great place to live and work.” He reiterated that throughout Benavente’s public career, he served in various capacities, most notably as speaker of the House and as lieutenant governor.
“Diego, you are now in our Father’s home. We will pray for you. Thank you for your contributions to keeping our Commonwealth safe, a pleasant place to live and work, and for being the loud voice of our people in our nation’s Congress and White House,” the governor said.
On behalf of the people of Guam, Leon Guerrero extended her heartfelt condolences to the Benavente family, CNMI leaders, and the community. She said that Benavente’s passing is deeply felt across the Mariana Islands, “and we stand with you in honoring a leader who served with sincerity and genuine love for his community.”
She added that Benavente was not only a respected public servant “but someone many of us knew personally.” She said she came to know him through years of shared work and conversations that always centered on the good of the islands. Benavente, she said, carried himself with an easy kindness — “the kind that made people feel comfortable and heard.”
Emmanuel “Arnold” Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.
