Waki is the business manager of the Saipan Tribune while Camacho is the manager of Pacific Orient Inc. or POI. Both are Tan Holdings companies.
Torres told Gov. Benigno R. Fitial that the two’s connection with the Tan companies raises a conflict.
Fitial himself is a former Tan Holdings executive.
“They are both employed by subsidiary companies of Tan Holdings, a major tenant of the Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport and contractor for handling aircraft maintenance and ramp services for most of the major airlines, specifically POI. These nominees are clearly in conflict,” the lawmaker said.
Waki, who lost his re-election bid last year, said Torres’ concern doesn’t bother him.
“He has the right to say his opinion. I’m not going to argue with him,” Waki told Variety in a phone interview.
He said he will comply with the requirements of his nomination and will let the Senate Committee on Executive Appointments and Government Investigations decide on his nomination.
“I will turn in everything to the Senate and go through the process,” he said.
Camacho could not be immediately reached for comment.
CPA remains under the governor’s control after he extended for the second time the state of emergency declaration for the agency.
The governor’s executive order temporarily stripped CPA of its autonomy — all of its board members have resigned.
The Legislature has since called on the governor to restore CPA’s board, the governing body of all seaports and airports in the CNMI.
