Senate committee holds final public hearing on Roberto C. Naraja’s nomination to CNMI Supreme Court

Presiding Judge Roberto C. Naraja appeared before the Senate Standing Committee on Executive Appointments and Government Investigations on April 1 for a final public hearing on his nomination to the Commonwealth Supreme Court.

Jean Paul B. Reyes, special assistant to the governor, presented Naraja as the Governor and Lieutenant Governor’s nominee and outlined his record: a Gonzaga University School of Law graduate with more than 24 years on the Superior Court bench and prior service as Attorney General and chief public defender. "We respectfully seek the committee's favorable consideration," Reyes said during his introduction.

Naraja took the oath and described his judicial approach as grounded in experience and listening. "I love to listen," he told the committee, saying his practice of taking extensive notes and holding traffic arraignments helped him stay connected to everyday residents and to understand the practical effects of court decisions.

Public support came from oral and written testimony. School educator Galvin Deleon Guerrero urged the committee to confirm Naraja and two other nominees, calling Naraja patient, deliberative and "trusted and respected" by the community. The committee secretary reported receipt of nine written letters in support — from elected officials, retired judges and a group of attorneys — and said the Northern Marianas Bar Association had submitted evaluations of the three judicial nominees; no written opposition was reported.

Committee members then questioned Naraja on his qualifications and on several policy topics raised during the hearing. Vice President of the Senate Corina M. Magofna asked why he was seeking the position and what he would bring to the high court; Naraja reiterated his commitment to access to justice and to upholding constitutional and Commonwealth law.

Magofna also pressed him about pending proposals and local policy questions. When asked about Legislative Initiative 24-3 (a proposal to extend some private land leases from 55 to 99 years), Naraja declined to opine on pending legislation, saying doing so could require recusal if a related case later appeared before him. He noted, as a matter of existing law, that the statute of limitations for some land interests runs 20 years and described practical steps landowners and local authorities can take — such as providing repeated public notices and maintaining properties — to reduce abandonment and discourage squatting.

On the topic of utilities, a senator raised recent reports that the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation had petitioned for a substantial increase in the fuel-adjustment (FAC) component of rates. Naraja said constitutional and covenant issues often reach the Supreme Court and recommended pursuing federal engagement and exploring the CNMI’s natural-resource potential as longer-term revenue options; he did not take a position on regulatory or legislative changes to utility governance.

Other senators praised Naraja’s institutional knowledge and managerial experience. Senator Manny T. Castro and Senator Camacho described his record in family and trial courts and his educational outreach; several lawmakers noted that prior hearings on Rota and Tinian and the written record provided substantial material for the committee’s consideration.

The nominee explained procedural distinctions for correcting judicial decisions: legal errors are corrected through appeal to the Supreme Court, while allegations of judicial misconduct are handled through an internal investigation process led by the Chief Justice, with impeachment remaining a separate constitutional remedy for the Legislature.

Chairman Francisco Q. Cruz closed public comment, confirmed written testimonies would be included in the committee report and said the committee would forward its recommendation and the record to the full Senate for consideration. The committee adopted procedural motions including the adoption of the day’s agenda and then adjourned; no confirmation vote was taken during the hearing.

The full Senate will receive the committee’s recommendation and the appended written and oral testimony as it considers confirmation of Naraja to the Commonwealth Supreme Court.