John Tabinaman

Career

As Vice President

Tabinaman was sworn in as Vice President of Bougainville on 15 May 2007 and also holds the ministerial portfolios for Public Service, Planning and Implementation, and Peace and Autonomy. He succeeded Joseph Watawi, who was demoted after an incident of public drunkenness at Amun village caused a major scandal. As Acting President

Following the death of Bougainville President Joseph Kabui on 7 June 2008, Tabinaman took over as Acting President until a new election was held.

Tabinaman said that the existing procedure of holding a new popular election would probably be followed, while also noting the possibility of a constitutional amendment that would instead allow Parliament to elect one of its members as President.

Achievements

• Planning for a new popular election subsequently began. lieutenant was held in December 2008, with James Tanis emerging as the winner.

Membership

Tabinaman is a member of the regional House of Representatives for Mahari constituency, elected in 2005 with 42.9 percent of the vote in a five-way race.