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Fitial officially transmits Camacho’s appointment letter as associate judge
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Posted on Aug 11 2011
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial yesterday officially transmitted to the Senate his letter appointing former House floor leader and attorney Joseph James Norita Camacho as associate judge in the Superior Court.
In the letter dated Aug. 10, 2011, Fitial told Senate President Paul A. Manglona (Ind-Rota) that he is confident that Camacho is “well qualified and will be a valued asset to the Commonwealth Judiciary.”
The nomination requires the advice and consent of the Senate. If the Senate confirmed the nomination, Camacho will serve a six-year term.
Asked for comment about his appointment, Camacho said he is very honored by Fitial’s nomination to “such a prestigious and honorable position.”
“My wife Viola Alepuyo and our families are also very grateful and appreciate Governor Fitial’s trust and confidence to fill the vacancy of Honorable Judge Ramona V. Manglona,” Camacho said.
The recent confirmation of Manglona as chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the NMI has caused vacancy on the Superior Court bench.
Camacho ran for lieutenant governor as independent in 2009 under the ticket of Juan Pan Guerrrero. In the succeeding runoff election, he threw his support behind Fitial, giving Fitial the much needed votes to win re-election over Heinz Hofschneider.
Camacho ran for U.S. Delegate in 2010 under the Covenant Party, but came in second behind Gregorio Kilili C. Sablan.
Camacho was an instrumental member of Fitial’s Blue Ribbon Committee that successfully merged and transitioned Fitial and other Covenant Party members to the Republican Party.
Last week, by a vote of 8-0, the Senate passed an initiative reducing the number of associate judges from at least four to three. The CNMI Constitution requires on presiding judge and at least four associate judges.
