The CNMI Senate held the second of three confirmation hearings for Superior Court judge nominee Lillian Tenorio.

Tenorio, the current Deputy Attorney General, was nominated by Governor Arnold Palacios last November. She currently serves as the primary legal counsel for Executive Branch departments under the AG’s Office. Before joining the office, she ran a law firm representing a wide range of cases. In the early 2000s, she was the legal counsel for the NMI House of Representatives.

Today, Tenorio continued to answer several questions about her background and approach to the law, including how she would handle potential conflicts of interest.

Senator Donald Manglona from Rota asked, "Now seeing how all the judges recused themselves with cases involving the former governor, seeing as how you were appointed by Governor Palacios, if ever there were to be a case against the current governor, would you recuse yourself solely on the fact that he appointed you?"

Tenorio responded, "Not on my appointment, but probably looking at the matters, what particular matters a case is based on and whether I have been involved in providing legal advice. That is something I have to take into account and observe the usual rules of recusal and disqualification that is provided for under statute…and also under the canons of judicial conduct."

The CNMI Bar Association also submitted its evaluation of Tenorio. She received a score of 4 out of 5, or “Good,” across all categories of legal ability, integrity and impartiality, communication skills, and professionalism and temperament.

Tenorio’s last confirmation hearing will be held on Rota on February 6 before her nomination reaches the full Senate for a vote.