The 35th Annual Attorney General’s Cup Speech Competition will be held on Friday, May 3, 9:00 am at the Hyatt Regency Ballroom.

This year, seven high schools will be participating in the competition and they include Dr. Rita Inos High School, Eucon International School, Grace Christian Academy, Marianas High School, Mount Carmel High School, Saipan Southern High School, and Kagman High School.

The 35th annual speech competition focuses on the legalization of Cannabis in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. This year’s topic is centered on the following: Is the passage of Public Law 20-66, also known as the Taulamwaar Sensible CNMI Cannabis Act of 2018, a cure or a curse for the Commonwealth? Will it help or hurt the CNMI in the short term or the long term?

Judging the AG’s Cup speech competition this year are current and former Attorneys General, Guam Attorney General Leevin T. Camacho, Chief Justice Alexandro C. Castro, Presiding Judge Roberto C. Naraja, and Chief Judge for the District Court of the NMI Ramona V. Manglona.

The ceremonial Posting of the Colors will be conducted by the JROTC Dolphin Battalion of Marianas High school, and alongside performing the CNMI and National anthem are the talented Marianas High School Glee Club.

The competition will be live streamed via the CNMI Attorney General’s Cup Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/2019CNMIAGCUP. Additionally, the broadcasting group of Marianas High School will perform the video production of the speech competition.

The Attorney General welcomes the public to attend the event and support the students of the CNMI on May 3, at 9:00 am at the Hyatt Regency Ballroom. For more information on the Attorney General’s Cup, please contact Ms. Keola Taisacan at the Office of the Attorney General’s Criminal Division at 237- 7600.

Argosy University closure

On March 8, 2019, Argosy University announced the closure of many stateside campuses and its online program, effective immediately. This news came after the discovery that the university used $13 million of student loan money from the US Department of Education to cover payroll and other expenses. Last minute court filings were unsuccessful to prevent the institution’s closing.

If you are currently enrolled in Argosy’s online program, loan forgiveness may be available for you. Federal regulations provide that students who are actively enrolled in a school that closes, or who withdraw up to 120 days before the school closes, and are unable to complete their program of study can apply for a “Closed School Discharge” (CSD) of their federal student loans used to attend the closed school. Students who graduate from the closed school or who transfer their credits to a comparable program at another school are not eligible for CSD.

You may want to consider transferring to another school instead of seeking a CSD. Many online programs are offering assistance to Argosy students that includes fee waivers, discounts on class credit fees, and other incentives. For example, Liberty University’s online program is offering Argosy students their first class free if they would like to transfer. The American College of Education (ACE) is waiving transfer fees for Argosy students. Other colleges and universities have similar offers. The WASC Senior College and University Commission who approved Argosy’s accreditation intends to provide information on their website with the names of schools willing to assist Argosy students or absorb entire academic programs.

When considering your options, you should know that completing a comparable program of study through another school could disqualify you from receiving a Closed School Discharge. For example, if you decide to complete an education program at another school and transfer education credits earned at Argosy, you will not be eligible for a Closed School Discharge of your Argosy federal loans. For some people, having their student loans discharged will be preferable to continuing their programs of study and being obligated to repay the student loan debt accrued at their school. You should carefully consider your options and personal finances before continuing your studies or applying for a Closed School Discharge.

The US Department of Education has created a special web page containing information related to the Argosy closure at: https://www.studentaid.ed.gov/sa/about/announcements/dream-center. For more information on the process for applying for a Closed School Discharge, check out https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans- forgiveness-cancellation/closed-school. To receive a Closed School Discharge, you will need to submit an application to your loan servicer. You can obtain a copy of the application form from your servicer or download one at: http://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/sites/default/files/closed-school-loan-discharge-form.pdf. You can determine your current loan servicer and check how much you currently owe in federal debt at http://nslds.ed.gov/nslds/nslds_SA/.

Jose Mafnas Jr. joins the Office of the Attorney General

The Office of the Attorney General announces and welcomes Jose P. Mafnas Jr., Esq. as assistant attorney general. He joins the litigation team of the civil division.

“I am happy to have Jose Mafnas Jr. join as member of the Office of the Attorney General. Jose’s experience and background in the legal field will assist and strengthen the office’s litigation division,” says Attorney General Edward Manibusan. The AG continues, “I am confident Jose will provide exemplary service to the government agencies of the Commonwealth as he brings his education and experience to our organization.”

Obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and Criminology from Chaminade University of Honolulu in 2011, Jose graduated magna cum laude in his class. After graduating from college in 2011, Jose began his career in the Commonwealth with the CNMI Office of Adult Probation where he served as a probation officer in the felony division from 2011 to 2013.

In 2016, Jose earned his Juris Doctorate with an emphasis in Public Interest Law from the University of California at Davis School of Law. While in law school, Jose worked as a legal research assistant for Professor Rose Cuison-Villazor, whom he assisted in drafting scholarly articles for publication and also worked as a certified legal intern for the Sacramento District Attorney’s Office where he assisted in the prosecution of various felonies. As a law student, Jose was published in the University of California at Davis Journal of International Law and Policy for an article he authored entitled The Case of Davis v. Commonwealth Election Commission: The Power of the Covenant and the Alternative Result, which discusses Northern Marianas Descent voting and land ownership rights in the context of the U.S. Constitutional framework. While there, Jose also represented his law school in regional and national moot court competitions on topics involving corporate securities and constitutional law.

Upon graduation from law school, Jose worked at the Supreme Court of Guam as a Senior Law Clerk and Research Attorney for one year before moving back to the CNMI to work as an associate attorney in private practice for the Law Office of Stephen J. Nutting. As a private attorney, Jose engaged in the general practice of law in areas such as civil litigation, transactional work, probate, and criminal defense. Jose also taught courses at the Northern Marianas College such as Constitutional Law, Criminal Investigations, Juvenile Delinquency, and Professional Writing for Law Enforcement as an adjunct lecturer.

Jose stated: “I am excited for the opportunity to contribute to the Commonwealth government, and I am grateful for the Office of the Attorney General for giving me this opportunity.”

Jose is admitted to practice law in the CNMI, Guam and California.

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35th Annual AG’s Cup Speech Competition is Scheduled for May 3rd, 2019

The Attorney General is pleased to announce that the 35th Attorney General’s Cup Speech Competition will be held on May 3rd, 2019 at 9:30 am at the Hyatt Regency Ballroom.

Eight (8) high schools will be participating in this year’s competition. The 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, and Kagman High School.

“The AG’s Cup Speech Competition provides the CNMI’s high school students with the opportunity to research an issue that affects the Commonwealth, form a position on the issue, and showcase their voice and passion on the topic,” says Attorney General Manibusan. He adds, “The AG’s Cup Steering Committee have been meeting and working diligently in preparation for this event and we are delighted to have eight high schools join us this year.”

This year’s topic focuses on the legalization of Cannabis in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands: The issue presented in this year’s competition is:

Is the passage of Public Law 20-66, also known as the Taulamwaar Sensible CNMI Cannabis Act of 2018, a cure or a curse for the Commonwealth? Will it help or hurt the CNMI in the short term or the long term?

In preparing their speech, the students are asked to consider the following: 1) Cannabis is still illegal federally; discuss how this could affect production and consumption of Cannabis in the CNMI. How has it affected production and consumption in other jurisdictions? 2) What types of regulatory systems have been developed in other jurisdictions that allow recreational Cannabis use? 3) What have been the positives and negatives associated with recreational Cannabis use in jurisdictions that have legalized its use?

“The passing of Public Law 20-66 on September 21, 2018 made for a historic, yet, contentious topic in the CNMI,” says Attorney General Manibusan. He continues, “The topic is of great significance for the students to provide objective analysis and research to decision makers on cannabis policy that will have a significant impact on our community.

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 Speech Competition, please contact Ms. Keola Taisacan at the Office of the Attorney General’s Criminal Division at 237-7600.

View PDF here.

Attorney General Encourages Consumers to Submit Written Complaints on Price Gouging

As a result of typhoon Mangkhut, the Office of the Attorney General encourages consumers to report incidents of price gouging. Attorney General Manibusan warns retailers that the Consumer Protection Act makes it unlawful for any business to engage in price gouging. The Attorney General explains, “price gouging occurs when a business increases prices based on the shortage of goods caused by a natural disaster or any other emergency.” He added, “the Office of the Attorney General will prosecute, both criminally and civilly, any business that engages in price gouging.”

To assist with the investigation of price gouging in connection with Typhoon Mangkhut, affected consumers should submit a written complaint to the Office of the Attorney General along with copies of all receipts, invoices, or other documents associated with the complained-of transaction.

Consumers should save all receipts, invoices, and other documents related to price gouging. When submitting a complaint to the Office of the Attorney General, consumers should submit copies of any supporting documents and retain the originals for their own records.

Complaint forms may be obtained at www.cnmioag.org under the Consumer Counsel section or in person at the Civil Division on Capitol Hill from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, or via email by sending a request to consumer_counsel@cnmioag.org. Consumers who cannot obtain a complaint form may submit a written complaint that includes (1) the name of the consumer and his or her contact information, (2) the name of the business and its location, (3) a description of goods or services purchased, (4) the date of the purchase, (5) the price paid for goods or services, (6) the price of the goods or services prior to Typhoon Mangkhut, (7) any other details that support the complaint, and (8) copies of receipts, invoices, or other documents that support the complaint. Complaints should be hand delivered to the Civil Division on Capitol Hill or submitted via email.

Inquiries regarding consumer protection complaints should be directed to Assistant Attorney General Bob Pickett at consumer_counsel@cnmioag.org or (670) 237-7500.

View PDF here.

Revitalizing Drug Task Force On Rota

A plaque of recognition was presented to Rota DPS Resident Director Eusebio M. Manglona for his services as a DEA Drug Task Force Officer. In the photo with Manglona, Rota Mayor Efrain Atalig, Attorney General Edward Manibusan, Director of Customs Service Jose Mafnas, DEA Resident Agent Ed Talbot, Rota Division of Customs Service Captain Ted Manglona, and representatives from the Rota Division of Fish and Wildlife and DPS.

Resident Director of the Rota Department of Public Safety, Eusebio M. Manglona was recently recognized for his service as a DEA Drug Task Force Officer in a brief ceremony with Rota Mayor Efrain Atalig, Attorney General Edward Manibusan, Director of Customs Service Jose Mafnas, and DEA Resident Agent Ed Talbot.

A Drug Task Force in Rota was once established and comprised of the Department of Public Safety, Division of Customs Service, and the Division of Fish and Wildlife personnel. As a result of the lack of resources, the Task Force on Rota was unable to function and eventually ended. Recently, however, the CNMI Attorney General met with the Division of Customs Service and DEA officials on Rota to revive the Task Force.

Attorney General Edward Manibusan states, “We will continue to pursue enforcement efforts throughout the investigation and prosecution of drug related offenses in the CNMI. Local law enforcement agencies will continue to work in collaboration with our federal counterparts and strengthen enforcement goals.

Also present at the recognition ceremony were Rota Division of Customs Service Captain Ted Manglona and representatives from the Rota Division of Fish and Wildlife and DPS.

CNMI Supreme Court Slip Opinion – Torres v. Manibusan – 2018 MP 4

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