Celebrating 36 years ~ AG’S Cup to be held on May 1, 2020

Attorney General Edward Manibusan and the Steering Committee are pleased to announce the 36th Annual Attorney General’s Cup Speech Competition to be held on Friday, May 1, 2020 at 9:30 am at the Hyatt Regency Ballroom.

“I am proud to present this year’s Attorney’s General Cup Speech Competition and to allow our high school students to debate a topic of such importance to our community. I invite our students and community to witness such great talents from our schools,” states Attorney General Manibusan.

This year’s topic focuses on abortion. The United States Supreme Court’s decision in Roe v. Wade, is a landmark decision issued in 1973. The Court ruled as unconstitutional a Texas law that banned abortion unless to save a women’s life. The Court held that a woman’s right to an abortion was implicit in the right to privacy protected by the 14th Amendment of the United States Constitution. The decision effectively legalized abortion across the United States.

Prior to Roe v. Wade, abortion was illegal throughout most of the United States. The Court’s decision has proved to be contentious dividing Americans on the issue of whether women should have the right to choose to have an abortion. After Roe v. Wade, many states enacted state laws placing restrictions on abortion rights. This year the Supreme Court will take up a Louisiana case which require doctors performing abortions to have admitting privileges at a local hospital within 30 miles of the facility where the abortion is performed.

Nine (9) high schools have been invited to participate in this year’s competition. The high schools include: Dr. Rita Inos High School, Eucon International School, Grace Christian Academy, Marianas High School, Mount Carmel High School, Saipan Southern High School, Tinian High School, Saipan International School and Kagman High School.

The Office of the Attorney General welcomes the public to attend the event and support the students of the CNMI. For more information on the competition, please contact Carla T. Hocog or Andrea Manese at the Office of the Attorney General’s Capitol Hill office at 237-7500.