New OPA chief vows independence, fairness

The newly appointed public auditor assumed the post yesterday, vowing to keep the office independent and fair.

Michael Pai, who replaced Michael Sablan as chief of the Office of the Public Auditor, said he looks forward to the challenge of his new job. He has spent his entire career to date in the private business sector and has never previously served in government.

Pai said he was offered the OPA job only last Saturday, when Finance Secretary Eloy S. Inos called him about the appointment.

“To be offered an appointment like this is quite an honor for me. And it seemed like a very challenging position. It was very tough to turn down the honor and the challenge,” he said.

Pai spent his first day discussing administrative issues with Sablan. Today, the two will meet again to talk about the OPA’s ongoing audits and investigations.

“The amount of information is overwhelming. It will probably take me several weeks to settle in. But from what I’ve seen so far, I think that being independent, fair and factual is what’s most important. I’d like to maintain those as my basic standards,” Pai said.

Pai will serve in an acting capacity until the Senate and the House of Representatives confirm his appointment. If confirmed, he will serve a six-year term.

The Fitial administration outlined its expectations of Pai. “The Administration would like to see more full-blown audits, not just mere reports, but full-scale audits based on generally accepted accounting principles and all of the applicable standards for such audits,” said press secretary Charles P. Reyes Jr.

Reyes highlighted Pai’s qualifications. “Mike Pai represents the best of both worlds. He has been a long-time resident of the CNMI, but he is not politically aligned with any political party or with any well-connected local family. He is an objective and impartial choice based on substantial accounting experience and professional credentials,” he added.

Pai has been a certified public accountant for more than 20 years. He attended the University of Hawaii, where he completed degrees in engineering and business administration.

Before putting up his own accounting firm in 1986, Pai worked for a number of corporations and an accounting firm, including the Hawaiian Telephone Company, Micronesian Telecommunications Corp., and Ernst & Young.

He is currently involved in several businesses, including Chong’s Corporation and Sunset Cruise Inc. on Saipan, Plexus International in St. Paul, Minnesota, and Universal Air Supply Inc. on Guam.

Pai is also an active in community activities, serving as member of the CNMI Board of Accountancy, the NMI Judiciary Historical Society, and the Pet Assistance & Welfare Services group. Pai was also a president and a board member of the Rotary Club of Saipan, and was a board member of the Saipan Chamber of Commerce.