“It’s a very difficult situation,” Inos said. “I would have liked to go ahead and fill the position through the normal election process but again the situation presents itself. We have to fill the vacancy. It’s a constitutional mandate. I am very happy that I have an overwhelming support from the people.”
Inos served as Fitial’s finance secretary prior to then-Lt. Gov. Timothy P. Villagomez’s resignation after he was convicted of corruption charges in federal court late last month.
Inos’s supporters from Saipan, Tinian and Rota came to witness his historic confirmation hearing in the Senate chamber.
Fitial and first lady Josie Fitial as well as key members of the administration were also in the gallery.
A significant number of former lawmakers also attended the event.
Three of Inos’s five children showed up for the hearing.
Dora, his eldest daughter, told the Variety their family is happy for their father.
Inos, the former vice president of Tan Holdings Corp., was sworn in by the governor, himself a former garment executive, shortly after the confirmation hearing.
No opposition
More than a dozen members of the community offered their testimony in support of Inos’s nomination.
Senate President Pete P. Reyes, R-Saipan, said not one of the 29 members of the Legislature opposed the nomination.
“Never have I seen such enormous support for any single appointment in the government,” he said.
The governor said he is very pleased with Inos’s swift confirmation.
“I feel very pleased. As the Senate president clearly pointed out during discussion, this confirmation carries the support of everybody in the community. I am very proud that the community came out to participate and support my nomination of Eloy Inos as lt. governor,” he said.
Sen. Paul A. Manglona, R-Rota and the CNMI’s longest serving lawmaker, also has good words for Inos.
“As somebody mentioned, this is one of the best decisions made by the governor. We’re all proud that this is a very good selection,” he said.
Reyes expressed confidence in Inos’s ability to work with the Legislature in addressing a number of issues.
“Knowing Eloy, we’re going to work together well,” he said.
An accounting graduate of the University of Guam, Inos said the economic survival of the CNMI remains the administration’s major concern.
“The appointment of a permanent attorney general is also high on the list of our priorities. The governor and I talked about that. We also need to address the issue of the Retirement Fund. I am glad that we’re doing this as a common effort — the Legislature, the Retirement Fund and the administration. We need to have some sense of finality on this issue,” said Inos.
