Kenneth Govendo
SUPERIOR Court Associate Judge Kenneth L. Govendo has changed his mind about retiring, Variety learned.
In a letter to CNMI Supreme Court Chief Justice Alexandro Castro on Friday, the judge said: “After careful consideration and consultation with my family, I have decided not to retire in June 2024. I feel that I have a duty to the people of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands who retained me in the last election to finish my term.”
Govendo, 78, earlier announced that he would retire on June 20, 2024, which also marks his 21st year as a judge.
Married to Domitilia Camacho Govendo, he has been a resident of the Northern Marianas since 1976 and had been in private practice for the most part.
Govendo was appointed judge in 2003 by then-Gov. Juan N. Babauta, and was retained by voters in 2007, 2014 and 2020, when his retention received 80% of the total ballots cast.
His current term ends on June 19, 2027.
