The CNMI Constitution states that the AG “shall be responsible for providing legal advice to the governor and executive departments, representing the commonwealth in all legal matters, and prosecuting violations of commonwealth law.”
Buckingham said he has relayed his concern to Speaker Froilan C. Tenorio, Covenant-Saipan, regarding the need to revisit the autonomous agencies’ having their own legal counsels or advisers.
Buckingham was the Rotary Club’s guest speaker during its meeting yesterday.
He said an autonomous agency retains a lawyer with an hourly rate of $125, which is equivalent to the $60,000 annual salary of an assistant attorney general.
He did not explain, however, how his office, which has only a few attorneys left, can handle the legal needs of all autonomous agencies.
When asked if legislation can address his concern, Buckingham said, “It’s a work in progress…. We are prioritizing and working on it.”
