MAN ON THE STREET

Should the CNMI have an elected Attorney General? If so, why or why not?

For me an attorney general should be elected. It would be good because right now even the Attorney General doesn’t know anything to do. What if the AG wants to do something to enforce a law and the [governor] says “no”? So it is best to have an elected Attorney General.
—John Camacho
San Roque

If I were to choose, I would like an elected Attorney General. I truly do. The reason for that is there will be more checks and balances in the government. It’s not that there isn’t any right now, but an elected Attorney General should be serving and looking out for the interest of the people of the CNMI. Having an elected AG would mean free flexibility versus having someone appointed, which would mean the interest would be for his or her boss. An elected AG would have more independence in the management or enforcement of the law. The goal should be for the best interest of the public. You would want to interpret the law for the benefit of the public and I would like to see that fair and impartial interpretation.
—Bertha Leon Guerrero
As Matuis

The government should have an appointed Attorney General. He or she should be appointed by the governor so that the governor’s agenda can be expedited.
—Lino Olopai
Puerto Rico

If [the Attorney General is] elected, it gives [him or her] independence from the Legislature and the Executive Branch. If we would have to amend that, we wouldn’t have the same problem that Guam encountered. If this would happen the CNMI should have a mechanism in place to support it.
—Herman T. Guerrero
Airport Road

The government should have an elected Attorney General because who does the appointing anyway? If you appoint the person who will occupy the position, the person might only serve his job for personal reasons.
—Zach Camacho
San Roque

Electing an Attorney General is a good idea, a better choice because it’s people’s choice. So there will be no favoritism to any political party.
—Ivan Igitol
As Matuis

I guess it’s okay to have an Attorney General appointed. I don’t see why he or she shouldn’t be.
—Amanda Sablan
San Antonio

Being appointed is fine because the reason why he or she was appointed is because the appointee knows he or she will be very good in serving the position.
—Erolene Reyes
Garapan