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Tinian senators not likely to block Inos nomination
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Posted on Jul 01 2008
The Tinian Legislative Delegation is disappointed the governor did not pick a Tinian attorney for the Superior Court vacancy, but is not likely to block the appointment of Perry Inos.
Sen. Joseph M. Mendiola said he was saddened by the Fitial’s administration did not give much thought to his request that a Tinian attorney be named to the bench. But he said it would be counterproductive to reject Inos’ nomination simply because he is not from Tinian.
To be confirmed, Inos’ appointment must be approved by majority of the nine-member Senate. Three of the members are from Tinian.
“I’m not challenging Perry’s qualifications. There is no question he will be a good judge. I just thought the governor might consider appointing any of the two veteran attorneys from Tinian,” said Mendiola. He was alluding to Lucy Maratita-Blanco and Ramon Quichocho. The two other attorneys from Tinian—Joey Patrick San Nicolas and Janet H. King—passed the bar only recently.
“Even if we reject Perry, there is no guarantee the governor will choose someone from Tinian next time. It would be useless exercise to play politics with this one,” Mendiola said.
If confirmed, Inos will replace retired Judge Juan T. Lizama.
Inos has been in private practice since 1997. Before that, he worked as a teacher at Rota High School, student coordinator at the Rota campus of the Northern Marianas College, assistant attorney general for the Office of the Attorney General’s Criminal Division, and associate attorney at the law office of now Supreme Court Justice John A. Manglona.
Inos attended the University of New Mexico School of Law and received his law degree in 1994.
