Demapan handed his letter of resignation effective Sept. 30, 2011 to Gov. Benigno R. Fitial yesterday.
“It is with a heavy heart that I submit this letter of resignation effective Sept. 30, 2011. Regrettably, personal health concerns compel me to step down from my position as the chief justice so that I can focus on my family and on my health,” Demapan told Fitial.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to work with Justices Castro and Manglona in the Supreme Court and Presiding Judge Naraja and all the judges in the Superior Court. I am wholly confident that the judiciary remains in capable hands,” he added.
“It has truly been my pleasure to work with your administration and to serve the community as a justice of the Commonwealth Supreme Court over the past 12 years. I wish to extend my deepest gratitude to you and the people of the commonwealth and to my fellow members of the judiciary who have made my service possible,” said Demapan in his letter.
“I am one of those blessed persons who reached their ultimate career goal at age 46. Now, 19 years later, I will have the opportunity to enjoy my family more,” he added.
Demapan was retained by CNMI voters for another eight-year term in 2006.
Article IV, Section 10 of the CNMI Constitution says when a vacancy occurs in the office of chief justice, “the associate justice most senior in commission shall become acting chief justice.”
Such person “shall continue in an acting capacity until the governor appoints and the Senate confirms a chief justice.”
Associate Justice Alexandro C. Castro was appointed to the CNMI bench on July 9, 1998. Associate Justice John A. Manglona has been serving since May 2000.
The CNMI Constitution stated that a justice, to be appointed, “shall be at least 35 years of age, a citizen or national of the United States, have resided in the commonwealth for at least five years before appointment, never have been convicted of a felony or any crime involving moral turpitude, and been a member of the commonwealth bar for five years.”
Upon learning of Demapan’s retirement, Director of Courts Tracy M. Guerrero said: “It has been an honor for me to work with Chief Justice Demapan. He has provided me with many opportunities for learning and growth, including nominating me for the 2010 Toll Fellows, for which I will be always grateful.”
Associate Justice Manglona said: “Chief Justice Demapan led the commonwealth judiciary during its most critical periods and managed to direct its course despite limited resources. The chief justice, Justice Castro and I served together for over eleven years. He has been an integral part of the Supreme Court, and I will miss his collegiality.”
“Filling the shoes of CJ Demapan will be an impossible task. His contribution to the judiciary will be greatly missed and we all wish him and his family the very best,” said Jennifer Dockter, the Supreme Court clerk of court.
In a separate statement released yesterday by Supreme Court public information officer Jim Stowell, Demapan said:
“I believe that no secular calling is higher than to sit in judgment over disputes brought by the people in their public courts for resolution…. I hope that my tenure as chief justice has been worthy of the high standard set by my predecessors.”
He added, “I will always be proud of the Supreme Court of the Northern Marianas and its accomplishments during my tenure. The record will reflect the work done to improve the judiciary and our efforts to provide more access to our justice system.”
Demapan said he leaves “with the sure knowledge that Governor Fitial will choose an excellent successor, just as he filled previous vacancies in our government.”
Demapan joined the judiciary in Nov. 1992, when he was appointed to the Superior Court as an associate judge. In July 1998, Governor Pedro P. Tenorio appointed him to the Commonwealth Supreme Court, and a year later, he was sworn in as chief justice.
Under Demapan’s leadership, the Supreme Court “saw many positive developments, including publication of the first ever judicial history of the commonwealth, the formation of the Judicial Council, which he chaired, implementation of the electronic filing system at the Superior and Supreme Courts, and construction of the courthouse on Rota. He also served as president of the Pacific Judicial Council.”
Aside from his duties and responsibilities under Section 9 of Article IV of the CNMI Constitution, Demapan’s was also:
• Chairman of the Commonwealth Judicial Council
• Chairman, Commonwealth Law Revision Commission
• Chairman, Criminal Justice Planning Agency Supervisory Council
• Judge Pro Tem, Supreme Court of Guam
• Judge Pro Tem, Superior Court of Guam
• President, Pacific Judicial Council, 2000-2002 and 2008-present
• Member, Conference of Chief Justices, U.S.A.
• Board of Directors, United States Conference of Chief Justices, 2002-2003
• Chairman, Resolutions Committee, United States Conference of Chief Justices
• Member, Asia Pacific Conference of Chief Justices
• Member, CNMI Federal Bench Council
• Member, World Jurist Association
Sad
Demapan’s resignation “saddened” the governor and Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos, according to their joint-statement yesterday.
Press Secretary Angel A. Demapan said in email to Variety that the chief justice paid a courtesy visit to Fitial and Inos at 3 p.m., yesterday and submitted his letter of resignation.
While they are saddened to see Demapan leave the Supreme Court, Fitial and Inos said they fully understand and support the chief justice’ decision, which was “driven by personal health concerns and his desire to spend more time with his loving family.”
The two said Demapan’s service to the commonwealth will always be remembered.
“Chief Justice Demapan will always be remembered as a major instrument in the vast improvements undertaken by the judicial branch over the course of the past several years,” said Fitial, who clashed in the past with the chief justice over budget issues.
“He was a true guardian of the law and a respected jurist who wore the judicial robe with a great deal of honor and humility,” the governor added.
Inos said Demapan “has enriched the lives of everyone at the court through his intellect, independence, and his friendship.”
“I’m sure he will be missed very much by everyone at both the Superior and Supreme Courts. We also owe a great deal of respect and appreciation to his wife Frances and their children, for their support and love during his term on the bench,” Inos added.
The governor and the lt. governor said as “the chief justice prepares to return to private life, they convey their best wishes in the years ahead.”
