Freshmen lawmakers get an overview of judicial process

After a program session, the newly-elected lawmakers joined the justices and judges in the courtroom of Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona at the recently opened federal courthouse in Gualo Rai for a commemorative photo. First row, from left, Rep.-elect Vicente C. Camacho, Rep.-elect Leila F. Staffler, Rep.-elect Celina R. Babauta, Rep.-elect Denita K. Yangetmai, Sen.-elect Edith E. Deleon Guerrero, and Rep.-elect Roy A. Ada. Back row, from left, Justice John A. Manglona, Judge Joseph N. Camacho, Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro, Judge Teresa Kim-Tenorio, Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona for the NMI District Court, Justice Perry B. Inos, and Judge Kenneth L. Govendo. Not in photo are Presiding Judge Roberto C. Naraja, Judge Wesley M. Bogdan and Federal Magistrate Judge Heather L. Kennedy.
(CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

The CNMI Judiciary, in coordination with the U.S. District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands, conducted the 9th Law and the Freshman Legislator program at the U.S. District Court last Thursday. The program, held biennially since 2004 for incoming legislators, provides an overview of the judicial process and gives the legislators a rare opportunity to interact in one setting with all 10 federal and CNMI judges and justices.

Senator-elect Edith E. Deleon Guerrero and representatives-elect Roy Aldan Ada, Celina Roberto Babauta, Vicente Castro Camacho, Leila Fleming Staffler and Denita Kaipat Yangetmai, all from Saipan, were in attendance. The two new legislators from Tinian, senator-elect Karl R. King-Nabors and representative-elect Patrick H. San Nicolas, registered for the program but did not attend. Rota has no new legislator this cycle.

Justice John A. Manglona moderated the program, which began with a presentation by Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro on the Covenant and the U.S. and CNMI constitutions. Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona of the U.S. District Court for the NMI presented on the topic of statutory interpretation.

The legislators discussed the role of the courts with a panel of judges and justices.

Hyun Jae Lee, who is general counsel of the CNMI Judiciary, gave a presentation on basic legal research. The program concluded with a roundtable where the judges and justices answered questions from the newly elected legislators.

Deleon Guerrero said she learned many lessons that will guide her when enacting legislation and was grateful for the opportunity to learn from justices and judges. “I am most hopeful that the CNMI elected officials continue to visit the CNMI Constitution and Covenant, not just for their guidance but for assurances to the people they represent, to live and carry out the intent and spirit of both documents,” she said.

“I appreciate the program and that the judges advocate for their agency and their staff,” Ada said. “The event provided insight on the operations of the Judiciary and I look forward to working with them in the future.”

Echoing similar sentiments, Staffler said she looks forward to connecting with the Judiciary and working together as separate but equal branches of government. Staffler described her experience as “eye-opening and embracing.” “I enjoyed brainstorming ways to improve our Commonwealth.”
The Northern Mariana Islands Judiciary Historical Society sponsored this year’s program. (PR)