Camacho, R-Saipan, told Variety he has introduced House Bill 16-209 or the Government Ethics Training Code of the CNMI.
“There is a need to educate appointed and elected officials on how to conduct themselves ethically,” said Camacho, who is also an attorney.
His legislation will require the Office of the Public Auditor to conduct training about the Ethics Code among lawmakers, mayors, council members, governor, lt. governor as well as political appointees.
Each must pay a fee of $100 for the training.
Camacho said the training should educate officials about the ethical standards that must be followed,
“The number of public corruption cases involving public officials in the commonwealth has increased throughout the past several years, which in part, may be a clear indication of the lack of knowledge and understanding of the Government Ethics Code among public officials,” he said.
“They answer to the people. They have to be responsive to the people. They should know what their limitations are,” he added.
