Tenorio gets ‘good’ performance rating from NM Bar Association

The Northern Marianas Bar Association evaluation results have come out, giving judicial nominee Lillian Ada Tenorio a “good” rating in her performance.

Sen. Celina R. Babauta (D-Saipan), who chairs the Senate Executive Appointments and Government Investigations, disclosed during yesterday’s confirmation hearing for Tenorio in the Senate chamber that the committee had received the Northern Marianas Bar Association’s recent evaluation results.

Babauta said the evaluation was conducted according to the Bar Association’s “resolution to establish and implement a procedure for evaluation of judicial nominees and candidates for judicial retention.”

According to the evaluation results, of approximately 163 active attorneys in the Bar Association, there are 92 with active status in the Commonwealth.

Babauta said on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being the lowest rating and 5 being the highest, the results of the survey indicate that Tenorio received an average rating of 4.15.

Tenorio was rated in four categories: legal ability, integrity and impartiality, communication skills, and professionalism and temperament.

“She scored highest in the integrity and impartiality category,” said Babauta, referring to the 4.3 average score that Tenorio received.

The results also show that the nominee received a 4.1 average score in the legal ability category, 4 in communication skills, and 4 in professionalism and temperament.

Tenorio is being nominated as a Superior Court associate judge.

The Bar Association rated Tenorio’s performance on a scale of “Unacceptable” (Seldom meets minimum standards of performance); “Deficient” (Does not always meet minimum standards of performance); “Acceptable” (Meets minimum standards of performance); “Good” (Often exceeds minimum standards of performance); and “Excellent” (Consistently exceeds minimum standards of performance).

NM Bar Association president Charity Hodson informed association members on Tuesday that the evaluation survey period closed on Jan. 22, 2024, with 33 surveys submitted.

Hodson said the number of responders who supported Tenorio’s nomination is 28, while four were opposed. One responder did not support or oppose the nomination.

Babauta said the committee also received written letters of support for Tenorio’s nomination from Joeten Enterprises Inc. president Annie Tenorio Sablan, Attorney General Edward Manibusan, Tinian resident Arsene Borja, Tinian Mayor Edwin P. Aldan, and lawyers Hodson, Michael Ernest, Lucia Blanco Maratita, and Viola Alepuyo in their personal capacities.

Babauta said the committee did not receive any letter opposing Tenorio’s nomination.

Gov. Arnold I. Palacios nominated Tenorio on Nov. 22, 2023, to serve as the 20th associate judge of the NMI Superior Court and the fourth female appointed to the office.

Tenorio, who was later allowed to speak at the public hearing, said she is humbled by the confidence that Palacios and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang have placed in her and that she has carefully considered this calling to a new role in government.

Tenorio said she has been blessed to have wonderful teachers, supervisors, influencers throughout her life. She acknowledged her siblings and many other people who were present at the hearing, including her first grade teacher, Chailang Palacios, whom she described as a “cultural icon.” Tenorio said it was Chailang Palacios who taught her and her classmates in first grade how to draw a barracuda with the No. 5.

“I will show that later,” said Tenorio drawing laughter from the audience in the Senate chamber and lobby.

The deputy AG later answered several questions raised by committee members.

During public comments portion of the hearing, former Marianas Public Land Trust board chair Martin Ada cited Tenorio’s vast experience in law enforcement and the legal system in saying that all the basic points of qualification for her nomination has been set. Ada and Tenorio are first cousins.

Lawyer Michael White said he has been practicing law in the Commonwealth for 54 years and has known Tenorio for many years.

“I’ve had the opportunity to observe her in professional as well as personal settings. I believe she’d be an outstanding judge and I strongly recommend her confirmation by this committee and by the Senate,” White said.

Former lawmaker Christina Marie E. Sablan said she had the opportunity to work directly with Tenorio in her role as deputy attorney general in providing legal advice to the governor’s office, as well as in her role representing the Office of the Attorney General in reviewing and commenting on legislation.

Sablan said Tenorio has always been fair, constructive in her criticism, well versed in the law, and ethical to her core.

“She’s also very funny and I personally think that a sense of humor is an essential attribute in any occupation and perhaps especially so in the practice of law,” Sablan said.

She said she can say without reservation and full confidence that Tenorio will bring to the judiciary her characteristic wit, her integrity and intelligence and her faithful commitment to the law and public service.

Others who spoke to support Tenorio’s nomination were Customs director Jose C. Mafnas, Carolinian Affairs’ Felix Nogis, and Donna Flores of the Public School System.