SAIPAN — Governor David M. Apatang is scheduled to announce three judicial appointments at 9:30 a.m. today, following the departure of Associate Justice Perry Borja Inos from the CNMI Supreme Court.
While the Governor’s office has not yet released the names, the retirement creates a vacancy on the Supreme Court and typically sets off a chain reaction inside the judiciary: filling the Supreme Court seat, then filling the resulting opening in the Superior Court, and potentially addressing a leadership assignment such as presiding judge if a judge shifts roles.
What the rules say about how judges are selected
Under the CNMI Constitution, Supreme Court justices and Superior Court judges are initially appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate. Supreme Court justices serve eight-year terms and Superior Court judges serve six-year terms.
The Constitution also requires a retention vote: at the general election immediately before the end of a judge’s initial term, voters are asked whether the justice or judge should be retained. If a majority votes yes, the judge or justice begins another term (eight years for Supreme Court, six years for Superior Court).
If a vacancy occurs in the chief justice position, the most senior associate justice becomes acting chief justice. If a vacancy occurs in the presiding judge position, the most senior associate judge becomes acting presiding judge. In both cases, that acting role continues until the Governor appoints and the Senate confirms a replacement.
NMI News Service will publish the full details after the 9:30 a.m. announcement.
