Saipan, CNMI  – The Supreme Court issued an opinion in Commonwealth v. Rangamar  today addressing how the Commonwealth’s judicial recusal statute applies in cases involving specialty courts. Sergio Rangamar was convicted after a bench trial of one count of assault and battery, one count of assault, and two counts of disturbing the peace. During the trial, one of the prosecution’s principal witnesses was participating in the Drug Court program, where she appeared regularly before the same...

Saipan, CNMI  – Last Friday, the Supreme Court issued an opinion in In Re Estate of Kapileo  affirming the Superior Court’s determination that Sarah Kapileo (“Sarah”) was not the heir of Francisco Kapileo. Sarah is a child of Francisco’s ex-wife, Rungthip Sartklang Kapileo, born during the marriage. Sarah, a minor at the time, was ordered by the court to undergo a DNA test to resolve allegations about her paternity. DNA test results revealed that she was not a child of Francisco. The Superior...

Saipan, CNMI – On March 11, 2026, members of the CNMI America250 Commission met with the Judiciary leadership at the Guma’ Hustisia to discuss the Commission’s upcoming podcast project commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Covenant. Attendees included Commission Chairman Leo Pangelinan, Vice Chair and Senator Corina Magofna, Podcast Project Lead Grace Naputi, Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro, Justice John A. Manglona, Judge Lillian A. Tenorio, and Director of Courts Sonia A. Camacho. ...