Judiciary to pay tribute to Atalig

The CNMI judiciary will pay tribute to the late Justice Pedro M. Atalig, with Supreme Court Chief Justice Miguel S. Demapan calling for a special joint session on Wednesday.

On that day, Atalig’s body would be brought to the Guma Hustisia in Susupe for public viewing.

Demapan said Atalig’s body would stay for at least an hour at the judiciary building before it is flown to Rota, where the former justice would be laid to rest. Atalig’s interment is set on Saturday on Rota, Demapan said.

Demapan set the joint session beginning 10am at the Supreme Court’s courtroom. He and Superior Court presiding judge Robert Naraja will preside over the joint session.

“The Commonwealth judiciary will hold a special joint session to reflect and thank the family of former associate justice and former presiding judge Pedro M. Atalig for his contribution and assistance to the Commonwealth judiciary,” Demapan said in a memorandum to fellow justices, judges, and judiciary staff.

“I urge everyone to be present at this session to show our appreciation and to bid him farewell. While his body lies in state in the Guma Hustisia, all judicial and administrative activities in the judiciary will cease until he leaves the premises,” Demapan said.

Demapan also urged the judges to attend Atalig’s funeral on Saturday. The chief justice has ordered that the judiciary’s Commonwealth flag be raised at half-mast until Atalig is laid to rest.

“[Atalig’s death] is a tremendous loss for us,” Demapan said. “He was always ready and willing when asked for help. [His death] is a big loss to the judiciary and the Commonwealth.”

Before his death, Atalig sat as justice pro-tempore for the Supreme Court, leaving behind four pending cases.

The 55-year-old Atalig is survived by Nelida, his wife of 18 years, and children Amelia, Andy, Anthony, Christian, Adeloisa, and Kahra. The first three are from his previous marriage with Norma Quiel.

Born on Oct. 3, 1949, Pedro M. Atalig is the son of former Rota mayor Antonio Camacho Atalig and Anita Cruz Manglona Atalig. Atalig earned his bachelor’s degree in political science from California State University in 1972 and his juris doctor degree from Washburn University of Topeka School of Law. He was admitted to practice law in the CNMI and Kansas, as well as in the U.S. District Court for the CNMI and the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.

Atalig started his legal career as assistant district attorney for the Marianas District in 1975. He became legal counsel of then Marianas Public Land Corp. from 1979 to 1986, CNMI Superior Court presiding judge from 1991 to 1993, and CNMI Supreme Court associate justice from 1993 to 1997.

He also held various positions in government. He had served as the first Constitutional Convention delegate for Rota, vice chair of the Board of Election, member of the Law Revision Commission, member and chair of the United Nations Task Force on Trust Territory Termination, and member of the Marianas Public Lands Authority’s Board of Directors.