5 Jan 2022

CNMI House panel sends Torres impeachment resolution to full House

3:42 pm on 5 January 2022

The Northern Marianas Representatives committee investigating impeachment allegations against the CNMI Governor voted to send to the full House a resolution that impeaches him.

The House Judiciary and Governmental Operations Committee Chair Celina Babauta introduced on Monday, 20 December 2021, House Resolution 22-14 impeaching Torres for alleged commission of felonies, corruption, and neglect of duty in violation of Article 3, Section 19 of the CNMI Constitution.

CNMI Governor Ralp DLG Torres.

CNMI Governor Ralp DLG Torres. Photo: Office of the Governor of CNMI

Today, all eight members of the House of Representatives Special Investigating Committee on Impeachment voted to send the resolution to the 20-member chamber absent of any hearings or taking up evidence.

The Northern Marianas Islands Democratic Party-controlled House is expected to impeach Mr Torres as it has the numbers, two-thirds or 14.

In order to convict the governor during a trial before the Senate, it needs two-thirds or six senators to vote for his impeachment.

The Senate is controlled by Republicans.

Mr Torres earlier said he had every confidence in the Senate's fairness in-case the House impeaches him.

Governor Torres said he is assured that the Senate will be fair to him, which is all that he has been asking from the Legislature.