Governor affirms he will nominate Camacho for associate judge post

Gov. Benigno R. Fitial confirmed yesterday that he will appoint former House floor leader and attorney Joseph Camacho as associate judge in the CNMI Superior Court.

“He’s my choice. …He’s more than qualified, but I like his temperament. I’ve never seen him get emotionally disturbed,” Fitial said in an interview after he and several lawmakers met with a Macau-based casino investment consultant.

When asked by Saipan Tribune whether Camacho was the only one considered, Fitial said: “He’s the only one that I chose.”

Fitial supported and campaigned for Camacho in the 2010 delegate race that Gregorio Kilili Sablan won by a wide margin. Camacho, who ran under Fitial’s Covenant Party at the time, came second.

The governor’s statement about his planned appointment of Camacho comes days after a vacancy on the Superior Court bench following the recent U.S. Senate confirmation of Ramona V. Manglona as chief judge for the U.S. District Court for the NMI.

Once the governor formally names Camacho, the nomination will still need the advice and consent of the CNMI Senate. Fitial couldn’t say yet when he will make the formal appointment.

Senate President Paul Manglona (Ind-Rota), when asked for comment yesterday, only said the Senate Committee on Executive Appointments and Governmental Investigations “will review the nomination once made.”

Based on the EAGI’s findings and after conducting a public hearing on the nomination, the panel will make a recommendation to the full Senate to confirm or reject the nomination.

Manglona is the author of an initiative that seeks to reduce the number of associate judges from “at least four” to “at least three,” saying the fewer number of cases filed in the past years and the economic hardships no longer justify the need to have at least four associate judges.

The NMI Constitution requires at least four associate judges and one presiding judge in the Superior Court.

Fitial said he leaves it up to the lawmakers to decide on the initiative, which the Senate passed last week. The initiative now goes to the House of Representatives.

“Even if that legislation passes, it will not have any impact on my appointment to replace Judge Manglona,” said Fitial.

In an interview with Saipan Tribune on Sunday, Camacho said if he is nominated, he will “of course be very honored to serve the CNMI in such a prestigious and honorable capacity.”

“As the governor has yet to make a public and formal nomination, I will reserve from making additional comments at this time,” Camacho had said.

Camacho also ran for lieutenant governor in 2009 under the ticket of Juan Guerrero, as independent candidate.

Camacho was also a key member of Fitial’s Blue Ribbon Committee that merged and transitioned Fitial and other Covenant Party members to the Republican Party.