Pedro Atalig, 55

Former Supreme Court justice Pedro M. Atalig died early yesterday morning. He was 55 years old.

He 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.

The official cause of his death has yet to be established pending an autopsy.

Hundreds of dignitaries and community members visited Atalig’s wake at Mount Carmel Cathedral last night, paying respects to the late justice who practiced law as a private attorney since 1998.

Nelida Atalig said plans are underway to conduct a memorial service at Guma Hustisia before the remains will be flown to Rota, where a state funeral will be held tentatively on Friday.

The wife said Atalig’s death came unexpectedly. “He was quite happy last night. He said he wanted sashimi and fried fish for dinner, so I prepared him that. I stepped out for a while and I left him laughing at some TV show he was watching,” she said. “He was already in bed when I came back. We had a little chat; that’s when he told me that he’s ready to die because he felt that he had already achieved a lot in his life. Besides, he said, his children and I will be provided for even if he passes away.”

At about 2:15am, she was awakened by her husband’s labored breathing. She said she tried to revive her husband by doing first-aid measures, but to no avail. At this point, she called her brother in law for help and they both took Atalig to the hospital.

“We still don’t know what exactly caused his death and what time he actually expired,” Nelida Atalig said. The late justice has had high blood pressure for years, she added.

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 worked his way to becoming 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 chairman of the Board of Election, member of the Law Revision Commission, member and chairman of the United Nations Task Force on Trust Territory Termination, and member of the Marianas Public Lands Authority Board of Directors.