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Judiciary to host program for freshmen lawmakers
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Posted on Nov 23 2020
The CNMI Judiciary will host the 9th Law and the Freshman Legislator program on Jan. 7, 2021. The program is held every two years the week before the newly-elected CNMI leaders take their oaths of office.
Invitations have been sent out to senators-elect Edith E. Deleon Guerrero (Saipan) and Karl King-Nabors (Tinian), and representatives-elect Roy Aldan Ada (Saipan), Celina Roberto Babauta (Saipan), Vicente Castro Camacho (Saipan), Patrick Hofschneider San Nicolas (Tinian), Leila Fleming Staffler (Saipan), and Denita Kaipat Yangetmai (Saipan).
The Law and the Freshman Legislator program, which started in 2004, consistently receives the highest evaluation marks among the Judiciary’s outreach programs. Those elected leaders that went through the program found it to be very informative and recommended that the program be continued for future lawmakers.
The program provides an overview of statutory interpretation, the Covenant, the U.S. Constitution, the CNMI Constitution, legal research, and the role of the courts.
All federal and local judges participate in the presentations: Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro, Justice John A. Manglona, Justice Perry B. Inos, Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona of the federal court, Presiding Judge Roberto C. Naraja, Judge Kenneth L. Govendo, Judge Joseph N. Camacho, Judge Teresa Kim-Tenorio, Judge Wesley M. Bogdan, and federal magistrate judge Heather L. Kennedy. Judiciary general counsel Hyun Jae Lee will also be presenting on available legal resources in the Law Revision Commission.
“The Judiciary stands ready to assist the other branches of our government in any way we can, so our government may deliver public services to our people as contemplated by our Constitution. This program is one way to do so,” said Castro.
The Northern Mariana Islands Judiciary Historical Society sponsors the roundtable discussion and working luncheon for the program. Newly-elected lawmakers will have the opportunity to ask justices and judges questions that they may have with regards to their duties and responsibilities. (PR)
