GOVERNOR Ralph DLG Torres on Friday said he had not yet appointed a new public auditor.
Kina Peter, the CNMI’s first female public auditor, tendered her resignation on May 10, 2022. It will take effect on July 8, 2022.
In her letter, Peter told the governor that “after careful consideration,” she has decided to pursue another job opportunity.
Torres appointed Peter as public auditor in November 2020, succeeding Michael Pai, CPA, who had completed two consecutive six-year terms.
Peter’s nomination was unanimously confirmed by both houses of the Legislature.
A certified public accountant, she has over 20 years of accounting experience with Deloitte and served as senior finance leader, senior accountant, senior manager, and accounting manager for Boeing.
As for House Legislative Initiative 22-2, which would authorize the election of a non-partisan public auditor, the governor said he had not seen it, but would comment once he reviewed the proposal.
A proposal to amend the CNMI Constitution, H.L.I. 22-2 does not require the governor’s approval, but it must be passed by an affirmative vote of three-fourths of the members each of the House and the Senate before it can be placed on the ballot for ratification by voters.
Currently, the public auditor is appointed by the governor to a six-year term with the advice and consent of each house of the Legislature. A public auditor cannot serve more than two consecutive six-year terms.
Kina Peter
