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Election of crime prosecutor sought
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Posted on Jan 25 2001
The Chairman of the House Committee on Judicial and Governmental Operations will propose a measure seeking the election of a Chief Criminal Prosecutor to be free from any political pressure.
While he has no proof to show that the Office of the Chief Criminal Prosecutor has been pressured by political leaders, Rep. Dino Jones said he has not been satisfied with the slow action of the office on recommendations of the Office of the Public Auditor to run after some officials.
Mr. Jones assured the community that he will still conduct a public hearing to get recommendations from different government offices on the proposed measure. “I just want to protect that office, to give them more freedom to prosecute,” he said.
Earlier, Sen. Joaquin G. Adriano has proposed a legislative initiative that will also elect the CNMI Attorney General rather than a governor’s appointee.
Mr. Adriano, chair of the Senate Committee on Executive Appointments and Governmental Investigations said the popular vote is the best way in selecting the person to assume the crucial post.
A legislative initiative needs to get two-thirds votes of each chamber before it can be submitted in a referendum in the next election. Under the Constitution, the Attorney General is appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the Senate.
The process has become problematic for both the executive and legislative branches of the government in recent years. Mr. Adriano cited cases where the AGO has had a series of acting chiefs because the Senate has never given its confirmation thus creating a confusion as to when the term of an acting official has been completed and when it has been extended. (LFR)
