Saipan, CNMI – Two moot court teams represented the Commonwealth in the National Association of Moot Court tournament in Washington, D.C. on March 21-22. The teams were comprised of four Marianas High School students: Ricky Tang, Steven Lian, Montrey Germance, and Ainsley Ancheta. Ainsley Ancheta and Montrey Germance receive their Octo-finalist award Ricky Tang and Steven Lian were the 2025 CNMI Supreme Court Moot Court Champions, while Montrey Germance and Ainsley Anc

Saipan, CNMI – March 24, 2026 marked the fiftieth anniversary since President Gerald R. Ford signed into law the Covenant to Establish a Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands in Political Union with the United States. To commemorate this historic day, members of the bench engaged in public outreach events that explored the Covenant’s continuing significance. Justice John A. Manglona and Judge Lillian Ada Tenorio both participated in a panel discussion alongside US Dis

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 befor

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 Francisc

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 Son

Saipan, CNMI – The Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands has affirmed a Superior Court’s decision upholding the Commonwealth Zoning Board’s approval of a conditional use permit for Atkins Kroll Saipan, Inc. to construct and operate a car dealership and vehicle repair facility in Puerto Rico, Saipan. The appeal was filed by ANAKS Ocean View Hill Saipan Homeowners’ Association, Ltd., which represents residents living near the proposed project site.