Atalig, who is also the Northern Marianas Islands Councils Association president, said they will adopt a resolution expressing their support to the governor.
“There should be a united effort of all leaders now regardless of political affiliations,” said Atalig, a supporter of the Republican Party in the 2005 elections.
Fitial is with the Covenant party.
Atalig said there’s a need to change the general perception that the “federal government is unchangeable.”
He added that the “negative comment” of Florida-based human rights advocate Wendy Doromal should not be taken seriously “because that’s only an opinion of one individual.”
A former Rota teacher, Doromal said the Fitial administration will be wasting time and money on the lawsuit.
The governor is entitled to exercise his democratic rights, Atalig said. “The governor is the voice of CNMI and it is his prime responsibility to protect and secure the interest of the people,” he said.
Atalig said there are many competent local lawyers who can help the governor build a strong case.
“We cannot measure money against the interest of the people. And the expense of a lawsuit is much less than the value of the lives of the people in the CNMI,” he said.
The lawsuit is expected to cost at least $50,000 a month in legal fees.
