Judiciary meets with Executive Branch

From left: Building superintendent Gerald E. Weaver, law clerk Olga Y. Bykov, chief marshal Jason T. Tarkong, Presiding Judge Roberto C. Naraja, associate justice John A. Manglona, Gov. Ralph DLG. Torres, Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro, associate justice Perry B. Inos, associate judge Teresa K. Kim-Tenorio, Attorney General Edward Manibusan, CIP administrator Elizabeth Balajadia, assistant attorney general Gilbert Birnbrich, Budget and Finance director John T. Villagomez, general counsel and LRC director Sheila N. Trianni, and director of Courts Sonia A. Camacho met to discuss the Judiciary’s continuity of operations plan following air-conditioning equipment failure at the Guma’ Hustisia on Saipan. (Contributed Photo)

Officials and members of the CNMI Judiciary led by Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro and Presiding Judge Roberto C. Naraja met with Gov. Ralph DLG Torres on Thursday, March 22, 2018, to discuss efforts to restore full public services at the Guma’ Hustisia in Susupe, following the recent air-conditioning system failure.

Attorney General Edward Manibusan and CIP Administrator Elizabeth S. Balajadia were also in attendance.

The Guma’ Hustisia is closed to the public for now.

Judiciary operations and court services are made available at alternative locations. Such locations will be utilized until the air-conditioning system at the Judiciary is fully restored.

Commonwealth Recorder services are scheduled for the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe. Cashier services and the Office of the Clerk of Court are set up to issue police and traffic clearances at the satellite office of the Adult Probation and Supervision, which is behind the Bureau of Motor Vehicles in Susupe.

Similarly, child support payments, bail, traffic, and probation fines and fees can be paid at OAPS’ satellite office.

Law Revision Commission services are also available at OAPS’ satellite office.

Offices for the Family Court Division and Drug Court Division are at the Department of Public Safety’s training offices in Susupe.

Court sessions will be held at the Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe and at the U.S. District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands at the Horiguchi building in Garapan. Contact numbers for divisions remain unchanged as do regular business hours.

Director of Courts Sonia A. Camacho stated, “The Judiciary appreciates the support of the Executive Branch and thanks special assistant for Administration Shirley Camacho-Ogumoro, Commissioner Robert A. Guerrero of the Department of Public Safety, Secretary of Finance Larrisa Larson, Director of the Office of Personnel Management Isidro Seman, and our federal partners, Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona and Clerk of Court/Magistrate Judge Heather Kennedy of the District Court, United States Marshal Frank Leon Guerrero, and their staff for their responsiveness and assistance. Also, we understand that this emergency has inconvenienced many—those we serve and those who help us to serve them. We thank the public for their understanding and cooperation and the dedicated Judiciary staff for their commitment and support.” (PR)