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Commonwealth of the Mariana Islands (US) > Governance Information

Governance Information for the Commonwealth of the Mariana Islands (US)

Type of Government:

Commonwealth in political union with the USA; self-governing with locally elected governor, lieutenant governor, and legislature.

Capital city:

Saipan

Municipalities:

Northern Islands, Rota, Saipan, Tinian.

Population:

84,546 (2007 est.)

Independence:

Not Independent

Year of current Constitution:

1 January 1978; Covenant Agreement fully effective 4 November 1986

Previous constitutions:

None

President:

George W. BUSH of the US (since 20 January 2001)

Vice President:

Richard B. CHENEY (since 20 January 2001)

Governor:

Benigno R. FITIAL (since 9 January 2006)

Lieutenant Governor:

Timothy P. VILLAGOMEZ (since 9 January 2006)

Heads of Departments:

Mr. Eloy S. Inos	DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE
Ms. Daisy Villagomez-Bier	DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND CULTURAL AFFAIRS
Mr. Gil M. San Nicolas	DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Dr. Ignacio (Ike) Dela Cruz	DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Mr. Jose S. Demapan	DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
Mr. James Santos	DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Ms. Rebecca Warfield	DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
Mr. Matthew T. Gregory	OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
Mr. Joseph Kevin P. Villagomez	DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Mr. John S. Del Rosario	DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC LANDS
Ms. Elisa Long	OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC DEFENDER

Parliament:

Bicameral Legislature consists of the Senate (9 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve four-year staggered terms) and the House of Representatives (18 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve two-year terms).

Electoral System:

Plurality - First Past the Post

Most recent election:

Senate - 5 November 2005

House of Representatives - 5 November 2005

Previous elections:

2003

Political Parties:

Covenant Party

Democratic Party

Republican Party

Legal System:

Based on US system, except for customs, wages, immigration laws, and taxation

Judicial System:

Commonwealth Supreme Court; Superior Court; Federal District Court

Chief Justice:

Chief Justice Miguel S. Demapan

Speaker of the House of Representatives:

Oscar M. Babauta

Public Auditor:

Michael S. Sablan

Election Commissioners:

Commissioners	Island
Ms. Miranda V. Manglona	Rota
Ms. Josepha A. Barcinas	Rota
Ms. Elizabeth Dlg. Aldan	Saipan
Vacant	Saipan
Mr. Melvin B. Sablan	Saipan
Mr. Jose L. Itibus	Saipan
Ms. Frances M. Sablan, Chairwoman	Saipan
Vacant	Tinian
Mr. Jose P. Kiyoshi	Tinian