Gov. David M. Apatang and Lt. Gov. David M. Mendiola on Monday announced three judicial nominations to fill key vacancies in the CNMI Judiciary following the Feb. 6 resignation of Associate Justice Perry B. Inos.
Apatang has nominated longtime Presiding Judge Roberto C. Naraja to serve as the next associate justice of the CNMI Supreme Court, filling the seat vacated by Inos. Naraja, who has served on the bench for more than two decades, currently leads the Superior Court. If confirmed, he will serve an eight‑year term on the high court.
To fill Naraja’s post, Apatang nominated Superior Court Associate Judge Joseph N. Camacho as the next presiding judge. Camacho, a former prosecutor and private attorney before joining the bench, has served as associate judge since 2011.
Rounding out the slate of nominations is former CNMI Attorney General and former Tinian Mayor Joey “JP” P. San Nicolas, who has been tapped to fill the Superior Court vacancy created by Camacho’s elevation. San Nicolas served as CNMI attorney general from Oct. 23, 2012, to July 5, 2014, and later served as mayor of Tinian and Aguiguan from Jan. 12, 2015, to Jan. 14, 2019.
Chief Justice Alexandro Castro said the nominations are critical to ensuring the stability and integrity of the Commonwealth’s judicial system.
“You have to have an experience. You have to have the knowledge. You have to know your island, and not just to make ruling from the United States and just implant it on Saipan, Tinian and Rota. The people want to see a judicial system that recognizes and honors their norms and values also,” Castro said.
All three nominations will require Senate confirmation.
