Manibusan: OAG managed to provide substantial legal advice, comments

Edward E. Manibusan

Notwithstanding the challenges the past two years brought about because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Office of the Attorney General continued to provide substantial legal advice to the Executive Branch as well as provide comments on proposed legislation to the Legislative Branch, according to Attorney General Edward E. Manibusan.

In the OAG’s Annual Report that combines two calendar years, 2020 and 2021, Manibusan said the past two years have been challenging because of the pandemic and turnover in personnel.

The AG stated in the report, which was released yesterday, that the OAG’s Criminal Division pursued and prosecuted those who violated the criminal laws and protected the citizens from unlawful criminal activities.

He said the OAG worked on many different projects, coordinated and made regular contacts with law enforcement and investigators.

Manibusan said OAG generally worked to improve relationship with other agencies and the community.

“As the chief legal officer of the Commonwealth, I will ensure that the OAG provide the best legal services and advice to our government and justice to the people of the Commonwealth,” Manibusan said.

Deputy attorney general Lillian A. Tenorio said their team of attorneys and staff continued to work hard to protect the interest of the people of the CNMI.

“Overseeing the review of legal issues raised by our agency clients and closely scrutinizing legislation that would affect the livelihood of everyday residents of the Commonwealth; we have succeeded in weathering through the challenges and struggle of the second year of the pandemic,” Tenorio said.

According to the report, in 2020 OAG provided 28 legislative reviews to the governor and 23 legislative comments, or for a total of 51 reviews and comments.

In 2021, OAG provided 58 legislative reviews to the governor and 69 legislative comments, or for a total of 127 reviews and comments.

In 2020, OAG received 252 requests from departments/agencies, and 37 from the governor, or for a total of 289 requests.

In 2021, OAG received 530 requests from departments/agencies, and 42 from the governor, or for a total of 572 requests.

In 2020, OAG served 70 agencies, reviewed 507 procurement contracts, reviewed 321 personnel contracts, made 304 communications to departments/agencies, and issued 8 communications to private sector. This brings to a total of 1,210 agency services, reviews, and communications.

In 2021, OAG served 70 agencies, reviewed 711 procurement contracts, reviewed 956 personnel contracts, made 375 communications with departments/agencies, and issued 53 communications to private sector. This brings to a total of 2,165 agency services, reviews, and communications.

With respect to collections, in 2020 and 2021, OAG collected $1,400 and $2,275 from notary public services, respectively. In 2020 and 2021, OAG collected $13,700 and $16,300 from apostilles and certifications issued.

Regarding civil case statistics, in 2020, OAG handled 14 new cases, 34 active cases, and disposed 4. In 2021, OAG handled 12 new cases, 38 active cases, and disposed 9.

Pertaining to appellate cases before the CNMI Supreme Court, in 2020 OAG handled 1 new case, 3 active cases, made 1 oral arguments, disposed 4, and awaiting 1 pending decision. In 2021, OAG handled 2 new cases, 2 active cases, and 2 dispositions.

With respect to cases before the U.S. District Court for the NMI, in 2020, OAG handled 2 new cases, 6 active cases, and disposed 2 cases. In 2021, OAG handled 3 new cases, 7 active cases, and disposed 3 cases.

In the U.S. 9th Circuit, OAG disposed one case in 2020.

In criminal cases, there were 3,243 and 3,568 in 2020 and 2021 on Saipan, respectively. There were 38 and 107 in 2020 and 2021 on Tinian, respectively. On Rota, there were 72 and 60 in 2020 and 2021, respectively.