Saipan Tribune

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Friday, October 19, 2012

Superior Court clerk Bernadita Sablan retires

Bernadita “Bernie” A. Sablan ended 25 years of service with the CNMI Superior Court on Oct. 12.

Her career with the Judiciary began in 1986 as a deputy clerk II and culminated with nearly seven years in the important leadership position of clerk of the Superior Court. She served under five presiding judges: Robert A. Hefner, Pedro M. Atalig, Alexandro C. Castro, Edward Manibusan, and Robert C. Naraja.

The Superior Court's office is the biggest division in the Judiciary, where things begin for almost all parties coming to the Judiciary, whether it is to obtain a police clearance or file a multi-million dollar lawsuit.

The clerk's office interacts with all the other divisions of the Judiciary, its judges and the clerk of the Supreme Court. It also interfaces with members of the NMI Bar Association, pro se litigants and multiple other law enforcement and government agencies.

At Sablan's retirement ceremony, held specifically in Courtroom 202 where she performed deputy clerk duties for Manibusan when the current court facilities first opened, she was praised for her work and dedication by Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro, Presiding Judge Robert C. Naraja, Associate Judges David A. Wiseman, Kenneth L. Govendo. Perry B. Inos, and Joseph N. Camacho.

The plaque they presented to her made reference to her material contribution “to the maintenance of liberty under law through the fair and impartial administration of justice in the CNMI.”

So great was the fondness and the respect felt by her colleagues for “Bernie” that attendance by the Judiciary's judges and staff at the lunch-time retirement ceremony was virtually universal. Everybody expressed the opinion that she would be greatly missed as a co-worker and friend. (PR)