‘WH received Manglona re-nomination’

Manglona

Delegate Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan (Ind-MP) said Thursday last week he already recommended to President Joseph Biden U.S. District Court for the NMI Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona’s re-nomination for another term.

In an email response to Saipan Tribune’s request for an update, Sablan said he has already submitted Manglona’s name to the Biden administration. “I did so since I am convinced that she has been a remarkable jurist and deserves to continue her service on the bench,” the delegate said.

As to separate resolutions filed by Rep. Angel A. Demapan (R-Saipan) and Sen. Teresita A. Santos (Ind-Rota) expressing strong support for Manglona’s re-nomination, Sablan said it is not his place to say what a local legislator can or cannot introduce.

He pointed out, though, that his nearly 13 years in Congress, he has learned that for a position of such importance as a federal court judge, “We must necessarily say as little as possible and work as hard as possible in getting the President’s nomination and the Senate’s advice and consent.”

Sablan said the White House has already informed his congressional office that they have received Manglona’s name for re-nomination to the bench. “I would hate for them to receive other communications that could be misread as a reminder. That would be unfortunate,” he added.

Manglona’s 10-year term as chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the NMI will expire this July 28, 2021.

If she is nominated again to the federal court bench, Sablan believes accolades should be given to Manglona when she takes her second oath of office.

In a resolution filed Wednesday, Santos (Ind-Rota) stated that Manglona’s continued dedication and commitment in upholding the U.S. Constitution and the highest standards of legal competence and ethical conduct has made her eminently qualified to earn the re-nomination to serve another term as chief judge of the district court.

Separately, Demapan (R-Saipan) recently introduced House Resolution 22-8 that encourages Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and Sablan to submit to Biden their recommendation for the re-nomination of Manglona and to recognize her for her distinguished career.

Manglona became the first person from the CNMI to be appointed to a federal judge court in 2011. Then-governor Benigno R. Fitial recommended her 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 as chief judge on July 30, 2011.

Prior to her appointment, Manglona was a Superior Court associate judge. In 2002 she became the attorney general for the CNMI.

Torres recently stated he supports Manglona’s re-nomination.