REPORTERS’ NOTEBOOK

A mixed crowd of foreign investors, businessmen, government officials and supporters witnessed the ceremonial oath-taking of Gov. Benigno Fitial, Lt. Timothy Villagomez, and Washington Rep. Pete A. Tenorio inside a jampacked Marianas High School gymnasium yesterday afternoon. More than 4,000 community members filed inside the gymnasium as early as 1pm to witness the event.

The crowd produced sweltering heat inside the gym but people kept themselves glued to their seats to witness the installation of the CNMI’s sixth governor, which coincided with the commemoration of Commonwealth Day.

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Fitial’s over 30-minute speech, which was interrupted by at least 28 rounds of applause from the audience, focused on revitalizing the economy and restoring the government’s fiscal integrity. The first applause was prompted when Fitial declared: “We would focus on economics rather than politics.”

Fitial also vowed to fulfill his political campaign to abolish the Commonwealth Utilities Corp.’s fuel surcharge.

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Tan Holdings Corp. chairman Dr. Tan Siu Lin and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Interior David Cohen sat onstage. The gallery also included high-profile personalities in the CNMI and abroad, including the Philippines’ Sen. Mar Roxas; Ramon Ang, president of food and beverage giant San Miguel Corp.; Pacific Telecom Inc. president Jose Ricardo Delgado; and entertainer Freddie Aguilar. Fitial said the guests included investors from Japan, Korea, Guam and the U.S. mainland, among other countries. Other dignitaries include Guam Gov. Felix Camacho and Palau president Tommy Remengesau.

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The two-hour ceremony began at around 2:40pm with an invocation by Bishop Tomas Camacho, followed by the posting of colors. Honor guards wearing traditional Carolinian attire were lined up along the aisle leading to the stage. Supreme Court Chief Justice Miguel Demapan and Associate Justice Alexandro Castro joined the bishop on the stage that was decorated in red, blue and white and the official Commonwealth seal.

Associate Justice Castro first administered the oath of Tenorio. The chief justice followed by swearing in Villagomez and Fitial, both of whom were accompanied by family members.

Cultural entertainment showcasing traditional dances provided relief to the jampacked crowd. An island-style fiesta that was open to the public followed at the American Memorial Park.

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Miami-based Interlink Global Corp. vice president for business development Stephan M. Gardner, who attended the inaugural ceremonies, said Fitial is “the best thing that ever happened to the CNMI—great brain, great smile, big heart.”

Gardner, who was with another international businessman, Reno Rivano, said he liked Fitial’s statement about focusing on the economy instead of politics.

Sixty-six-year-old Tino Tebuteb of Koblerville also said he liked the officials’ speeches about the economy and the need to attract investors, as well as the importance of education.

For 55-year-old Zenaida Piodena, a Filipina worker, the scrapping of fuel surcharge is appealing. However, she said she disliked the officials’ statements about preferential treatment to local residents in the provision of jobs.

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Violeta Padierno said she and close friends could not help but heave a sigh of relief when the new governor read his speech.

“It’s so beautiful that it gave all of us hope for the future of the CNMI. I really like it [Fitial’s speech],” Padierno said, adding that everything Fitial said was about the economy of the Commonwealth. “I hope it will always be for better times.”

A group of men cheered in unison and said that Fitial’s speech was straight to the point. “We all believe him,” said the group.

Angie W. Iginoef-Mangarero said the speech was “very dynamic.” She said she and his family believe that the new governor will make it happen and accomplish all his visions for the betterment of the CNMI.

Center for Independent Living member Lydia Igitol said the new governor’s speech was positive. “I think there’s hope that there’ll be a way for the CNMI,” she said.

Igitol added that she believed Fitial more when he incorporated the Almighty in his speech.

As community members walked away after the inauguration, they left the gymnasium with smiles on their faces, said Arlene Torres. “I’m happy and hoping for better times,” she said.

Another spectator, Emily Cruz, said she really hopes that whatever the new governor said in the podium would all come to reality.

Cruz said Fitial’s business acumen would hopefully bring more businesses to the island so that those who have lost their jobs would soon come back to work for their families. (Marconi Calindas)