THE Superior Court is supporting a measure introduced by House Speaker Heinz S. Hofschneider which seeks to establish and create a Marshal Division that would serve as the law enforcement and protection arm of the judiciary under the direction of the court’s presiding judge.
In a June 25 letter addressed to Rep. Martin B. Ada, R-Saipan and chairman of the House Committee on Judicial and Governmental Operations, Superior Court Presiding Judge Edward Manibusan said the “Marshal’s Bill is necessary and important to a fully functioning court” as this will ensure the safety of the judges, justices and court personnel.
“The orders of the court while (it) is in session as well as the service and execution of written orders must be carried out without delay. The court’s so-called marshals do not currently possess any powers except those given by a judge while the court is in session,” he said.
He said the bill will “enable and enhance” the abilities of the marshals to perform their duties with respect to security and the execution and court orders. He said that the current form of the measure will enhance the “effectiveness” of the Superior Court. When the division is established, Manibusan said “it will have the power necessary to carry out the mandates and responsibilities of the court.”
Although funding is not part of the bill, he said “it must receive continuing appropriations.”
However, Supreme Court Justice Miguel S. Demapan does not support the passage of the bill. In an earlier letter to Hofschneider, R-Saipan, Demapan said the legislation “unacceptably vests authority” over the division in the Superior Court.
He said the bill’s intent will impinge on the Supreme Court’s domain. Manibusan, for his part, said the judiciary does not have funding for the creation of the division due to this year’s massive budget cuts.
