MLSC honors Guerrero’s role in making legal services accessible

The Micronesian Legal Services Corp. adopted last Tuesday March 28, 2023, a resolution to recognize Herman Rogolifoi Guerrero and his many efforts and services to the corporation and to the people of Micronesia.

In Resolution 2023-1, the MLSC board of directors expressed its deep gratitude and appreciation to Guerrero, and noted his “dedication to the principle of free legal services to low-income persons throughout Micronesia” and upon his passing sought to honor and highlight his outstanding contributions to MLSC and Micronesians.

The organization transmitted a certified copy of the resolution to Guerrero’s family.

The MLSC resolution credits the conception, design, and establishment of the organization to the efforts of Guerrero and others from 1970 and ’71. Prior to MLSC most individuals from Micronesian islands with legal problems had no access to a justice system.

An email from MLSC stated that the corporation was established in order to provide the people of Micronesia with affordable legal services. “During this time, many locals were taken advantage of because of their unfamiliarity with the law. Investors who were interested in leasing the land of locals would often present unfair contracts which allowed various injustices to occur. Herman Guerrero’s dedication allowed MLSC to educate low income individuals of their legal rights and how they can stand up for their beliefs.” 

Because of his services, each year some 20,000 individuals get assisted at the eight MLSC regional offices since the organization’s establishment.

The resolution noted that it was also through Guerrero that MLSC received their first funded grant from the U.S. Office of Economic Opportunity, and that he and Tony DeBrum from Marshall Islands went on to secure the initial funding.

Holding various levels of authority and trust among people, even during MLSC’s beginning, Guerrero was also the executive director of the Mariana Island District Community Action Agency and was a member of the Congress of Micronesia, representing Saipan. He was later elected several times to the Senate of the Congress of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Guerrero served as MLSC’s first president of the board of directors, and was once again president in the 1980’s. MLSC highlighted that Guerrero took a leading role when it came to finding solutions even during times of crisis, one such being the times when the former Trust Territory High Commissioner’s efforts to shut down MLSC in the 1970’s due to tremendous budget cuts.

The former senator passed away in Guam on March 11, 2023, at the age of 83, just shy of his 84th birthday on May 6, 2023. Funeral services for the late senator was held on March 30, 2023.