SUPERIOR Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho submitted his letter of retention to the Commonwealth Election Commission on Friday morning.
CNMI judges serve a term of six years while justices serve an eight-year term.
According to the CNMI Constitution, immediately before the end of the judge or justice’s term, voters will decide whether or not the judge or justice will be retained.
Camacho, who is serving his second term on the bench, became judge in November 2011. He was retained in the Nov. 2016 election with 78% of the valid ballots cast in his favor.
In his letter to the CEC on Friday, he requested his inclusion on the 2022 ballot for retention as CNMI Superior Court associate judge.
CEC Executive Director Kayla Igitol officially received Judge Camacho’s letter.
“Judges take an oath to follow the Constitution and law,” the judge said. “To give each case the attention it deserves and decide the case on the law and the facts presented in the courtroom, to be fair and impartial and not be swayed by fear or favor, or by improper pressure, passion, sympathy, prejudice, or bias,” he added.
As a judge for the past 11 years, Camacho has issued 200 published opinions, and has presided over thousands of hearings involving different cases, and other judicial functions.
Judge Camacho said he is grateful to his wife, attorney Viola Alepuyo, and their son Ulen for their love and support.
The judge likewise thanked “our families for many years of support,” and the following individuals for their dedication and hard work: his court staff members Delia Salas-Magofna, Adelina Tereyama and Keith Chambers.
Judge Camacho is an appointee of former Gov. Benigno R. Fitial.
Associate Judge Wesley Bogdan is also expected to turn in his letter of retention to the CEC.
An appointee of Gov. Ralph DLG Torres, he became associate judge in August 2017 following the Senate’s confirmation of his nomination.
CNMI Supreme Court Associate Justice John A. Manglona, who was appointed by former Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio to the high court in 2000, is also up for retention.
Justice Manglona was overwhelmingly retained by CNMI voters in 2007 (75%) and 2014 (78%). His current term expires in 2024.
Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho, right, shakes hands with Commonwealth Election Commission Executive Director Kayla Igitol after submitting his letter of retention Friday morning at the CEC office.
