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Ex-DCCA chief Faisao appeals to high court
Former Community and Cultural Affairs secretary Melvin Faisao is appealing to the CNMI Supreme Court the Superior Court’s ruling that denied his claim of being an heir of the Rita Rogolifoi estate, which was awarded $2.7 million plus interest for land compensation in 2009.
Faisao notified the Superior Court of his appeal to the Supreme Court last week. In it, he wants the high court to reverse Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho’s ruling last April 10.
Faisao did not provide other details in the notice. He filed the notice pro se or without a lawyer.
In the April 10, 2018 judgment, Camacho ruled that Faisao is not a descendant of Rita Rogolofoi’s children and therefore has no right to her property or a share in the estate.
Camacho said that Faisao has failed to prove that Pedro Rogolifoi was the original owner of a piece of land in As Mahetog, that Pedro Rogolifoi is the father of Macaria Rogolifoi Faisao, that Rita Rogolifoi and Macaria Faisao are sisters.
Melvin Faisao alleges that he is the grandson of Macaria Rogolifoi Faisao.
Melvin Faisao also contends that the property in Rita Rogolifoi’s estate originally belonged to Pedro Rogolifoi and was held in trust in Rita Rogolifoi’s name for Pedro Rogolofoi’s family, including Macaria Faisao and her descendants, according to Carolinian custom.
As a descendent of Macaria Faisao, he claims entitlement to a share of the property and proceeds from the property within the estate.
Clarence “Bud” White, the administrator for the Rita Rogolifoi estate, denies Melvin Faisao’s allegations..
