“I’ve been [in the Legislature] already. I think I’ll go back working for my family,” he added.
Inos, the chairman of the ruling Covenant Party, said he agreed to join Fitial’s ticket because the governor is not afraid to make unpopular decisions for the benefit of the public.
“I believe in his views and philosophy. The CNMI needs strong leaders — people who are not afraid of making unpopular decisions,” Inos said.
Among these unpopular policies are the austerity holidays, which imposed pay cuts on some government employees, renting generators from the U.K.-based Aggreko for over $500,000 a month, and suing the federal government over the federalization law for an estimated cost of $400,000.
Fitial said he is aware that he has earned many critics as a result of his unpopular decisions.
“I’ve been criticized for being responsible for a financial mess. I heard that. To balance the budget every fiscal year, is that what you call financial mess? These are coming from my critics,” he said.
Fitial said he is seeking a second term because the CNMI “needs real servants — they need people who are not afraid to make the right choice; people who are not afraid to do the right thing. I believe Eloy and I have proven our worth in serving the people.”
