The CNMI Constitution requires a special election if a lawmaker steps down after less than half of his term, but if less than one-half of the term remains, the governor shall fill the vacancy by appointing the unsuccessful candidate for the office in the last election who received the largest number of votes and is willing to serve….”
Former Rep. Janet U. Maratita, a Republican who supported the Covenant gubernatorial ticket in the runoff, placed seventh in the 2009 House race in Precinct 1, which has six seats.
Benavente said he does not want the government to incur the cost of a special election and this is why he will resign on July 16.
With his wife, Vicky by his side, Benavente thanked everybody, especially the people of the commonwealth for the confidence they have given him in several elections.
“I still have mixed feelings about this decision,” he added.
No more politics
Although it was his desire to become a governor someday that brought him to politics, Benavente said he does not have any political plan at the moment.
All he could say was, “We just have to wait and see.”
The next gubernatorial election will be held in Nov. 2014.
He recalled that when he was still in college in Idaho and heard that the NMI would elect its first governor, he told himself, “Someday I will return and run for governor.”
He said he will continue to support his fellow Republicans and their party.
Benavente served in the House from 1990 to 2002 as a Precinct 2 representative, and was speaker from 1994 to 2000. He was lt. governor from 2002 to 2006 and returned to the House in 2008 representing Precinct 1.
Rep. Froilan C. Tenorio, Covenant-Saipan, believes that Benavente cannot run for governor if he retires now.
The farther Benavente retreats, the more his political rival can advance, the former governor said.
Tenorio who has clashed with Benavente since the mid-1990s said in jest that with the retirement of his cousin, he will have to argue now with Saipan Republican Reps. Joseph P. Deleon Guerrero and Francisco S. Dela Cruz during deliberations.
Good luck
Benaventes said he wishes lawmakers the best of luck in addressing issues facing the commonwealth.
She also expressed confidence in Maratita.
“I know Janet who has already served in the Legislature and whom I ran with in Precinct 1. She is very capable and will continue what I will be leaving here. She will try her best to overcome those challenges,” he added.
The House minority bloc is likely to select Deleon Guerrero, a former vice speaker, as its next leader, Variety learned.
Senate Floor Leader Pete P. Reyes, R-Saipan, said he was saddened by Benavente’s resignation. The two have been political allies and close friends since the 1990s.
“We spent a lot of time discussing his decision and felt how painful it was for us to see him go,” said Reyes, adding that they tried many times to change Benavente’s mind.
Reyes thanked Mrs. Benavente for allowing her husband to serve the public for two decades.
The senator also announced that he will not seek a fifth term in 2014.
Another long-time ally, Senate President Paul A. Manglona, Ind.-Rota, said he was very touched by Benavente’s announcement.
Manglona said he feels that the people of the commonwealth are losing a true leader and a strong voice in the Legislature.
“We will miss him but on the other hand we’re happy because it is the decision that he has to make together with Vicky and we wish them well,” the Senate president said.
Rep. Joseph P. Deleon Guerrero said he had been trying to convince Benavente “not to do it.”
“He was one of the best leaders I’ve seen in the public office,” he said.
“He has a sense of balance and knows how to make level-headed decisions. He always kept in mind the public in every decision he made,” he added.
It does not matter
Maratita said although she ran on the Republican ticket and is still a Republican, she is capable of working with every one.
She said she is honored to have the opportunity to serve the public as a lawmaker again.
Maratita currently works for the Department of Public Health as director for its diabetes program.
“I’ve always been a public servant and worked in many government offices. It’s all about improving the lives in the community. I ran as a party member but after the election, the people will always be ahead of my party,” she said.
Tenorio expects Maratita to align herself with the House leadership.
Tenorio also noted that since Gov. Benigno R. Fitial is now a Republican, “it really does not matter where she aligns herself.”
Speaker Eli D. Cabrera, a Saipan Republican, agrees.
The leadership, he said, is now a coalition of Covenant, Republican and Independent members.
