Senate committee hears support and questions for Joseph N. Camacho and Joey P. San Nicolas nominations

The Senate Executive Appointments and Government Investigations Committee convened a public hearing in Rota on March 19, 2026, to review Governor David M. Apatang’s nominations of Judge Joseph N. Camacho for presiding judge of the CNMI Superior Court and Joey Patrick San Nicolas for associate judge. The committee heard opening statements from both nominees, more than a dozen public endorsements, and a series of questions from senators about court management and impartiality.

Acting Chair Senator Jude U. Hofschneider opened the session and explained the committee’s constitutional role under Article 4, Section 5 of the Constitution of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands to provide advice and consent on judicial appointments. John Paul B. Reyes, special assistant to the governor, introduced the nominees and summarized Camacho’s record as an associate judge and San Nicolas’s prior service as Attorney General and as mayor of Tinian.

Judge Camacho, who said he has presided ‘‘over hundreds of cases and hearings each year’’ and authored more than 240 published opinions, stressed that ‘‘context matters’’ in judicial decision-making and described his administrative experience as a voting member of the judicial council. ‘‘There’s a hat you wear when you’re in the courtroom…and a second hat, which is the administrative arm for the superior court,’’ Camacho told the committee, outlining plans to expand virtual dockets so probate and traffic matters can be heard without extended travel delays for Tinian and Rota residents.

Joey P. San Nicolas told senators his years as a prosecutor, attorney general, mayor and private practitioner ‘‘have prepared me for this very challenging role.’’ He said judges must apply ‘‘the law as it is on that day’’ and that judicial independence requires respect for separation of powers while maintaining open communication with other branches when appropriate.

Public testimony was predominantly supportive. Rota Mayor Aubrey Hocog praised Camacho’s outreach and work on specialized dockets, calling him an ‘‘educator and mentor’’ who has helped expand access through teleconferencing. Jonathan A. Lizama, chairman of the Rota Municipal Council, and multiple residents read letters or spoke in favor of confirming both nominees, singling out San Nicolas’s long public-service record and Camacho’s judicial experience.

At the same time, at least one speaker urged caution. Recita A. Hocog said the Commonwealth’s small size can complicate impartiality and asked senators to weigh critiques and perform due diligence before voting. Senator Manny Castro reminded the public that the CNMI follows the American presumption of innocence and cautioned against premature judgments driven by social media.

Senators focused questions on three themes: administrative leadership of the trial court, access for outlying islands, and how the nominees would handle unclear or evolving law. Camacho described practical steps already in use — holding a weekly centralized probate docket and using virtual courtrooms — and proposed scaling virtual dockets (probate, traffic and others) so cases do not require months-long delays for remote island residents. Both nominees referenced existing specialty efforts such as drug court and discussed collecting data that could support a veterans court.

No confirmation vote occurred at the Rota hearing. The committee recorded a motion to adopt the day’s agenda early in the session and a motion to adjourn at the end; both carried by voice vote. The committee plans follow-up hearings on Tinian (March 26, 2026) and Saipan (April 1, 2026) and said written testimonies received in Rota will be included in its report to the full Senate.

What happens next: The committee will compile oral and written testimony and deliberate further at the subsequent hearings before issuing a recommendation to the full Senate on whether to confirm Camacho and San Nicolas.