Chief Justice Miguel S. Demapan said after many years of preparation, the book is now finally complete and he encourages everyone to read it.
“We added something to the existing historical account of the Marianas,” said Justice John A. Manglona.
The 87-page book has six chapters and several photos.
Steve Gardiner, one of the contributing authors, said the book also contains summaries of 40 significant commonwealth court cases as well as the list of judges who have served the CNMI.
The other contributing authors are Dr. Dirk Anthony Ballendorf, former Judge Timothy H. Bellas, former Chief Justice Jose S. Dela Cruz, Steven Gardiner, Mia Greenwood, Dan MacMeekin, and Dr. Dirk H.R. Spennemann.
The Northern Marianas Judiciary Historical Society and the NMI Council for the Humanities funded its publication.
Copies were provided to Northern Marianas College and the Joeten-Kiyu Public Library so members of the public can read the book.
“I’m going to read it and probably make some comments after I read some chapters,” said Speaker Eli D. Cabrera, R-Saipan.
The first 250 copies of the book are not for sale. It was not announced whether there would a second edition.
Also yesterday, 10 students received their prizes for winning the Law Day poster-making and essay writing contests.
The winners in the poster-making contest were Andrea T. Atalig, Sinapalo Elementary School, first prize; Francheska O. Fauni, William S. Reyes Elementary School, second; Ryan Christian U. Relucio, WSR, third; Eunice Anne C. Viray and Chloe Hazel Anne P. Salvosa, both from WSR, honorable mentions.
In the essay writing contest, the winners were Beda G. Mundo, Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Junior High School, first prize; Jonathan R. Pangelinan, Mt. Carmel School, second; Zion Alamer, Calvary Christian Academy, third; Cathryn Javier and Noemy Grace V. Pamintuan, both from MCS, honorable mentions.
The judiciary, the CNMI Bar Association, the Judiciary Historical Society and the Public School System sponsored the poster making contest for 5th and 6th graders and the essay writing contest for 7th and 8th graders. The National Law Day theme was: “The Legacy of John Adams, from Boston to Guantanamo.”
“Since this is my first time, it’s very exciting. It is a great honor,” said 11-year-old Salvosa, who joined the poster-making contest.
Fauni, who placed second, said she is very happy that the judges liked her poster. She wants to be lawyer someday.
Justice Alexandro C. Castro presented each of the winners with a copy of “The Northern Mariana Islands Judiciary: A Historical Overview,” a certificate of achievement and, for the first to third prize winners, cash prizes.
