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Torres says he has no qualms in renominating Manglona
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Posted on Apr 20 2021
Gov. Ralph DLG. Torres disclosed Friday that he will renominate U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona to serve another term on the bench.
When asked during a radio news briefing about a House resolution that encourages him to submit to President Joe Biden a recommendation for the renomination of Manglona, Torres said he has no qualms in supporting Manglona’s renomination.
“In fact, I already asked our counsel to start working on that letter of support,” said Torres. He did not elaborate.
Rep. Angel A. Demapan (R-Saipan) introduced last week House Resolution 22-8 that encourages Torres and CNMI Delegate Gregorio “Kilili” C. Sablan (Ind-MP) to submit to Biden their recommendation for the renomination of Manglona to serve another 10-year term as chief judge of the District Court for the NMI, and to recognize her for her distinguished career. Demapan said the Legislature is proud to express its support for Manglona’s renomination.
Sablan, who supports Manglona’s renomination, said in a comment he made on a Saipan Tribune story about Manglona’s expiring term on the bench: “For [Rep.] Demapan’s information, Chief Judge Manglona’s name has been submitted to President Biden. Just so you know, Governor Torres initially did not want to join me in the submission for the reason that Judge Manglona signed his search warrant.”
The Federal Bureau of Investigation launched a search and seizure operation on Torres’ home and his tax records in 2019, based on a warrant that Manglona had signed.
In 2011, Manglona became the first person from the CNMI to be appointed to a federal judge court.
Then-governor Benigno R. Fitial recommended Manglona to then-president Barack Obama for nomination as chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the NMI. In January 2011, Obama nominated Manglona. The U.S. Senate confirmed her on July 27, 2011. She assumed office on July 30, 2022.
Manglona’s term will expire this July 28.
