Rapadas vows no tolerance for favoritism

Newly sworn in Chief Prosecutor Leonardo M. Rapadas vowed yesterday to promote a culture of intolerance for favoritism during his term.

Leonardo M. Rapadas takes his oath as chief prosecutor before Chief Justice Alexandro Castro at the CNMI Supreme Court yesterday afternoon. Also in the photo witnessing the swearing in are Rapadas’ wife and friends, along with Attorney General Edward Manibusan and Office of the Attorney General staff. (Ferdie De La Torre)

In an interview shortly after Chief Justice Alexandro Castro administered his oath in a brief ceremony at the CNMI Supreme Court, Rapadas said favoritism is not going to happen under his and Attorney General Edward Manibusan’s watch.

“My previous position has proven that and I look forward with the AG on that,” he said.

Rapadas served as U.S. Attorney for the U.S. Districts of Guam and the NMI from 2003 to 2010. He also served as Guam attorney general from 2011 to 2015.

He disclosed that the OAG is going to be filing more criminal cases.

“We want to instill in the public great confidence in the Attorney General’s Office and in law enforcement in general,” he said.

Rapadas said he is used to a larger caseload and one of the things he would do at the OAG’s Criminal Division is to take a look at the caseload and see what they can do to increase that.

He said there are a number of things they can work on to build a better relationship with the Department of Public Safety and other law enforcement agencies on the islands.

Of his new position, Rapadas said he served the people of the CNMI in a different capacity many years ago and that he’s very happy and honored to be asked by first CNMI elected attorney general, Manibusan, to serve as chief prosecutor.

“It’s an honor for me. I’m looking forward to the work. There’s a lot of work,” he said.

Manibusan said he’s happy that they were able to get Rapadas as chief prosecutor.

“We need people with experience and real motivation, motivated to do work,” said Manibusan, who attended the swearing in, along with other OAG prosecutors and staff.

Manibusan disclosed that they want to reach the minimum of at least nine prosecutors for the Criminal Division.

“We’re getting there. In the next few months we will probably have nine prosecutors altogether,” he said.

Manibusan also revealed that they are going to get a chief of the OAG’s Civil Division, and another attorney for the Criminal Division who will handle other cases not normally handled by the office.

He reiterated his earlier promise to make the OAG the best law firm not only in the CNMI but also in the region.

“What we’re trying to do is to make sure that this community is safe and secure so that people can have better lives. That’s where we’re going and we’re almost at that point,” Manibusan said.