NEW OFFICERS ELECTED TO PACIFIC JUDICIAL COUNCIL

FSM Chief Justice Martin Yinug Elected President

(October 2, 2013)(Guam Judicial Center – Hagåtña) Guam Chief Justice F. Philip Carbullido, outgoing President of the Pacific Judicial Council, announced the election of new officers to serve for the 2014-2016 term. The Pacific Judicial Council is the regional organization of judicial officers from Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia including FSM State Courts of Yap, Ponape, Kosrae, and Chuuk; the Republic of Palau, and American Samoa.

Elected President is Chief Justice Martin Yinug of the Supreme Court of the Federated States of Micronesia. Incoming Vice President is Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood of the U.S. District Court of Guam. Secretary is Chief Justice F. Michael Kruse of the High Court of American Samoa. Elected Treasurer is Presiding Judge Alberto C. Lamorena III of the Superior Court of Guam.

“I am pleased that our executive committee has elected Federated States of Micronesia Chief Justice Martin Yinug to lead our organization. I leave the leadership of the group in wise and capable hands and believe he will continue to focus on programs and initiatives designed to improve the administration of justice in our region.” Said Chief Justice Carbullido.

Yinug took his Oath of Office as Chief Justice of the Federated States of Micronesia on May 5, 2011.  He succeeded the late Chief Justice Andon L. Amaraich and was appointed by FSM President Manny Mori. Chief Justice Yinug is a native son of Yap State and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from San Francisco State Univeristy and a Juris Doctorate from the Catholic University of America Law School in Washington D.C. Yinug has extensive experience working in the legal and public sector of the Federated States of Micronesia and has served on the bench for more than 20 years.

Carbullido added, “Chief Justice Yinug has a long history advocating for judicial independence and adequate funding from the other two branches to resolve disputes and render justice in a timely manner. He is held in high esteem in his country and is committed to the administration of justice.” Yinug will assume office in January 2014.

For more information, please contact Joshua F. Tenorio.