THREE proclamations were signed at the Guma’ Hustisia on Friday, April 26, to mark Law Week, Treatment Court Month and the 35th anniversary of the Judicial Reorganization Act of 1989.
Justice John A. Manglona, in his opening remarks, said, “The Covenant was very specific for what a local court system would look like. We have gone from the High Court of the Trust Territory to just one trial court … in 1978 and then to the two courts, Supreme and Superior, as a result of the Reorganization Act of 1989. The courts then became constitutional in 1997 [through] a legislative initiative, and finally reviewable only by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2004 because of Section 403 of the Covenant.”
Manglona added, “In the last 35 years, the judiciary has grown significantly, and celebrated many accomplishments. The Superior Court houses three specialized courts today: Family Court, created in 1997, Drug Court, created in 2015, and Mental Health Court Docket, created in 2021. We are also happy to be actively planning for a Veterans Court in the coming years.”
Commitment to justice
“At the heart of all our growth is a commitment to access to justice,” Justice Manglona said.
“We cannot be bound by the limitations of the past. Every year, we make strides in modernizing and digitizing the courts. Electronic case management systems have been key to that, with the Supreme Court becoming paperless in 2006 and the Superior Court following suit. The Recorder’s Office also recently converted to an electronic filing system and hosts ‘pro se’ centers that allow the public to directly record and search their documents online,” Justice Manglona said.
“We hope to move forward with the ARPA Data Center that will house and protect our technology investments linking the three courts and the public,” he added.
No matter the setback, “the judiciary has always prioritized access to justice and community wellness. Renovations and updates to our facilities are consistently designed to better connect our courts to the people, like the addition of the security and screening zone and all the digital information screens present in this atrium,” Justice Manglona said.
“Our website’s redesign makes online resources accessible to everyone by using new accommodations for people with disabilities. Our social media sites keep people up-to-date on events and outreach projects. We are also defining our role in the community by centering education and inclusivity,” he said.
“The judiciary of today is not the judiciary of 1989. We’ve actively engaged — no longer silent observers waiting for cases to come to the courthouses. We are reaching out.
“You will see justices, judges, and staff in schools across the Commonwealth, discussing our history or teaching about Emotional Quotient or giving career advice. Along with the active engagement of the CNMI Bar Association, we hold a ‘Konbetsasion’ on the Covenant, Customs and Traditions, Pre-law, and the Law in the Community Lecture series, all designed to educate our children and our community on legal and civic issues.
“The judiciary is open to everyone, ready to provide justice and support to all. So that’s the new face of the judiciary — modern and forward thinking,” Justice Manglona said.
Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, in his remarks, agreed.
“The courts and judiciary have evolved and begun to serve the greater needs and evolving needs of our community,” he added.
The other officials who participated in the proclamation signing at the Guma’ Hustisia on Friday included Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona of the District Court for the NMI, Magistrate Judge Heather Kennedy, Chief Justice Alexandro Castro, Justice Perry Inos, Presiding Judge Roberto C. Naraja, Judge Teresa Kim-Tenorio, Judge Joseph N. Camacho, Judge Kenneth L. Govendo, Judge Lilian A. Tenorio and Senate President Edith Deleon Guerrero.
CNMI Supreme Court Associate Justice John Manglona delivers his opening remarks.
From left, attorney Sean Frink of the Northern Marianas Bar Association, Magistrate Judge Heather Kennedy of the District Court for the NMI, Justice John Manglona, Justice Perry Inos, Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona of the District Court for the NMI, Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, Chief Justice Alexandro Castro, Senate President Edith Deleon Guerrero, Presiding Judge Roberto C. Naraja, Judge Kenneth L. Govendo, Judge Teresa Kim-Tenorio, Judge Lilian A. Tenorio and Judge Joseph N. Camacho.
Gov. Arnold I. Palacios signs a proclamation that marks the 35th anniversary of the Judicial Reorganization Act of 1989 (May 2), while Chief Justice Alexandro Castro of the CNMI Supreme Court and Senate President Edith Deleon Guerrero look on and wait for their turn.
Elected and other government officials as well as community members joined the proclamation signing ceremony on Friday for the 35th anniversary of the Judicial Reorganization Act of 1989 (May 2), Law Week and Treatment Court Month.
