Northern Marianas Islands governor is not resigning, looks forward to a fair Senate trial

“I AM not resigning,” Gov. Ralph DLG Torres said on Tuesday. “The issue between former Gov. [Benigno R.] Fitial and myself is totally different,” he added during a media briefing on KKMP radio.

In Feb. 2013, Fitial became the CNMI’s first governor to be impeached by the House of Representatives. He resigned before the Senate could hold a trial.

Torres acknowledged that his political opponents have the number to pass the impeachment resolution in the 20-seat House, but he reiterated that he is not guilty of the allegations of corruption, neglect of duty and felonies of theft.

He is also hoping that the Senate will conduct a fair trial.

If six of the nine senators vote for his conviction, Torres will be removed from office.

Read more: https://mvariety.com/news/governor-is-not-resigning-looks-forward-to-a-fair-senate-trial/article_07ae4140-6264-11ec-8828-d7f7d8db9e7b.html
(Marianas Variety)

The CNMI Senate has a Republican majority.