(Press Release) — The CNMI Judiciary commemorated Law Week and Treatment Court Month with a special dual ceremony held on April 25, 2025, at Guma’ Hustisia. The event featured a vibrant celebration of student creativity, community uplifting, and intergovernmental support for judicial programs that promote justice and recovery.
Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang, Senate President Dennis C. Mendiola, House Speaker Edward Villagomez, and Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona of the District Court for the NMI joined the judges and justices of the NMI Judiciary in kicking off Law Week and Treatment Court Month. The morning began with a welcome from Justice John A. Manglona, who reflected on the significance of this year’s Law Week theme, The Constitution’s Promise: Out of Many, One.
“This year’s theme reminds us of the strength that lies in unity — especially in an island community as diverse as ours,” said Justice Manglona. “Our treatment courts and our students alike demonstrate how the law is shaped by our collective stories and strengthened by our shared values.”
Director of Courts Sonia A. Camacho then presented the Law Day Poster and Essay Contest Awards, which drew over 100 student submissions. The winners are:
Poster Contest Winners
Presiding Judge Award – Elizabeth Shi (Agape Christian School)
Associate Judge Award – Francheska Rionne A. Zablan (Koblerville Elementary School)
Superior Court Award – Connie Zhu (Agape Christian School)
Honorable Mention – Jayden Rei A. Pulido (Green Meadow School)
Essay Contest Winners
Chief Justice Award – Jamie Andrea Palabay (Green Meadow School)
Associate Justice Award – Michael Guintu (Saipan International School)
Supreme Court Award – Nicole Tangonan (Green Meadow School)
Supreme Court Award – Alleena Villaluz (Saipan International School)
Honorable Mention – Jacie Quindoza (Green Meadow School)
Jamie Palabay, the recipient of the Chief Justice Award, delivered a special reading of her winning essay, which explored how the Commonwealth symbolizes the constitutional promise of unity and diversity.
Following the awards ceremony, the Judiciary honored Treatment Court Month by having leaders of all three branches sign its proclamation. In honor of May being proclaimed Treatment Court Month, Judge Lillian A. Tenorio presented an overview of the Mental Health Court Docket.
Maritoni DLR Duarte, a caseworker from the Community Guidance Center’s Transitional Living Center, also gave a heartfelt testimonial about her work. “Our participants come in, having been let down by the system again and again,” shared Duarte. “Mental Health Court gives us the platform to act on the belief that everyone deserves the chance to heal, and it takes all of us to do it. Out of many roles, comes one mission. And for participants, out of many challenges, comes one renewed life.”
The Judiciary extends its sincere gratitude to the students, educators, families, and community members who participated in the celebration, as well as to its government partners for their continued commitment to justice and recovery.
Event attendees, including students from Green Meadow School and Agape Elementary School, pose with the proclamation signatories.
Justice John A. Manglona welcomes guests to Guma’ Hustisia and thanked the community for supporting the Judiciary’s youth and treatment court programs.
Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang reads the final resolution of the Treatment Court Month Proclamation before adding his signature.
Judge Lillian A. Tenorio discusses the benefits she has seen Mental Health Court provide to the community since being assuming leadership of the docket last year.
Transitional Living Center caseworker Maritoni DLR Duarte shares her testimonial about working with the Mental Health Court Docket over the past four years.
