- Fernando Bonilla
Fernando J. Bonilla (born 1962) is a Puerto Rican political figure, currently serving as
Secretary of State of theCommonwealth of Puerto Rico . Bonilla also serves as the Director of the Puerto Rico Ports Authority.As Secretary of State, Bonilla is constitutionally empowered to assume the seat of
Governor of Puerto Rico in case that the incumbent is incapable to do so. After the federal indictment of incumbent GovernorAníbal Acevedo Vilá , the possibility exist that Acevedo might resign his position, thereby elevating Bonilla to the seat of Governor.Early life and education
Bonilla received a
Juris Doctor from theUniversity of Puerto Rico School of Law and anLLM fromTulane University School of Law . He served aslaw clerk to Associate Justice of theSupreme Court of Puerto Rico Miriam Naveira form 1985-1987.Bonilla worked primarily in the private sector, specializing in
maritime law .Political career
Bonilla was appointed Director of the Puerto Rico Ports Authority in early 2005 by Governor Aníbal Acevedo Vilá. After Marisara Pont was rejected by the
House of Representatives of Puerto Rico for the post of Secretary of State, Governor Acevedo turned to Bonilla and nominated him in the summer of 2005 for the position. He was confirmed by both houses of theLegislative Assembly of Puerto Rico and effectively began serving in both posts.The position of Secretary of State is largely a ceremonial position. However, the Constitution provides that whenever the Governor is unable to carry out his duties, dies, is impeached or resigns, the Secretary of State shall succeed him the post.
After the federal indictment of Governor Aníbal Acevedo Vilá on March 27, 2008, Bonilla might assume the governorship if Acevedo were to resign.
External links
* [http://www.estado.gobierno.pr/semblanza.htm Biography in Spanish]
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