Manibusan files candidacy for CNMI’s first AG election

Retired Superior Court presiding judge Edward Manibusan filed his candidacy on Friday afternoon for the CNMI’s first attorney general election, some two years after voters ratified a legislative initiative making the AG position an elected rather than an appointed one.

“It’s a very exciting year, and it’s a very exciting opportunity to finally have an elected AG,” Manibusan said during his filing of candidacy at the Commonwealth Election Commission, surrounded by family, friends, campaign team led by chair Jack Diaz and supporters.

Retired Superior Court presiding judge Edward Manibusan, third from right, along with his campaign team chairman Jack Diaz, right, files his candidacy for the CNMI’s first attorney general election, while Commonwealth Election Commission executive director Robert A. Guerrero, second from left, looks on Friday afternoon. (Haidee V. Eugenio)

Manibusan is so far the only AG candidate that has filed his candidacy. Attorney Mike Evangelista has yet to file his.

In an interview and in a statement, Manibusan said the CNMI needs “an independent AG with the right experience.”

“The people have spoken and it is time to elect our AG,” said Manibusan, also a retired director of the Department of Public Safety and a former prosecutor.

Manibusan’s priority is protecting the people of the CNMI and keeping the rule of law for everyone, including the government.

“But it is just as important that prosecutions are just. I will always consider what is fair, and what justice requires,” he said, adding that he is committed to ensuring that law enforcement activities are coordinated so that every case is ready for prosecutions. He also seeks to work on sentencing initiatives and consumer issues.

After the filing, Manibusan and his supporters held a brief road-waving in front of the Election Commission, before the heavy rains came.

He said he looks forward to meeting with residents, especially people with an interest in improving the Office of the Attorney General.

Manibusan currently maintains a private practice while servicing as chairman of the Judicial Discipline Enforcement Special Court of Guam.

Besides his legal background, Manibusan has always supported community youth programs, serving as chairman of the Youth Advisory Council under the Office of the Governor for years. During that time, he worked to implement federal funding for criminal justice youth programs. He reviewed projects including youth community centers where children could go to after school to study, after-school programs and youth basketball programs.

Manibusan is the founder and president of the Northern Marianas Junior Golf League, and served on the board of directors of Mount Carmel School for many years. He also served as president of the CNMI Bar Association. More information about his ideas and background are available at edwardmanibusanag.com.

“I will look into community outreach programs. I want a safe community so that we, our children, and the community as a whole will have a bright future,” he added.

House vice speaker Frank Dela Cruz (Ind-Saipan) introduced a legislative initiative that voters ratified in the 2012 elections, paving the way for voters this year to elect their highest law enforcement official. Dela Cruz had said that this time, “the AG will not be under orders by the governor as has been in the past.”

However, there are also concerns about how effective this structure may be, “but this is mainly because of precedence in Guam and other states with an elected AG where there were reports of policy differences, stalled progress, lack of support to line agencies on civil matters, to name a few.”