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Section 5 Visiting the Branches of Government
The Office of the Governor (Office) is located in the Ricardo J. Bordallo Governor's Complex in Adelup, where you can tour the grounds to see historic monuments and artifacts and is frequently visited by many tourists and the community.
The Office is considered a privileged place where the Governor meets individuals and groups, as requested in the Governor's Executive Chambers, Governor's Conference Room or Cabinet Conference Room at his or her discretion.
To make arrangements to meet the Governor, appointments may be scheduled at least two weeks or more prior to the date requested. Briefings and/or tours of the Office can be conducted by appointment only and can be arranged through the Governor's Chambers or the Protocol Office. Such visits may include a courtesy call with the Governor.
The Governor is supported by a team of managerial, technical, and clerical staff.
Government House, also known as the People's House is the official residence of the Governor and his/her family. Located atop San Ramon Hill in Hagatñ with a breathtaking panoramic view of northern Guam, Government House serves as the center of many government and social functions. Although the Governor and his/her family take residence here, it is open for use by the community to use for meetings and other special functions. The private residence is not open to the public.
Official receptions, breakfast meetings, luncheons and dinners are held here to welcome and honor visiting dignitaries from the United States, neighboring foreign countries and territories of the Pacific, and international dignitaries.
Arrangements may be made for meetings, special functions or a tour of Government House at least two weeks in advance. Such arrangements can be made by calling the Government House Executive Manager.
Guam's unicameral legislature consists of 15 members elected islandwide for two-year terms. The members, called senators, elect their own Speaker and other officers. The body breaks into working committees to deal with numerous bills introduced at each legislative session. Bills are then scheduled for public hearings by committees.
Individuals and groups who wish to know more about the legislature can schedule a visit to the Guam Congress Building, through the Protocol Office of the Guam Legislature.
Information on working policy of the legislature and visits to senators' offices can also be arranged through any senator's office, or through the Speaker's office.
The Guam Legislature is housed in the historic Guam Congress Building located at 163 Chalan Santo Papa Hagatñ, Guam.
In 1950, the Organic Act created the District Court of Guam which has original jurisdiction over all "causes arising under the Constitution, treaties, and laws of the United States." It also has appellate jurisdiction hearing appeals from the Superior Court of Guam.
On January 14, 1993, Governor Joseph F. Ada signed Bill Number 102 into law. Public Law 21-147 called for the creation of a Supreme Court of Guam. However, since the Supreme Court was created by the Guam Legislature and not the Organic Act, the power of the Justices of the Supreme Court was dependent on the political climate.
Through the years, there were a number of unsuccessful attempts by Guam Delegate Robert A. Underwood in the U.S. House of representatives as well as by Legislative Judiciary Chairman F. Randall Cunliffe in the 27th Guam Legislature to pass legislation establishing the Judiciary as an independent branch of Government.
In 2004, through the efforts of Guam Delegate Madeleine Z. Bordallo and the 27th Guam Legislature, the Organic Act was amended the Judiciary of Guam was recognized under federal law as a separate and co-equal branch of government of the Territory of Guam.
The three-story Judicial Center boasts a contemporary architectural design with emphasis on local Spanish surroundings found in the Capital City of Hagatñ.
The Judicial Center is located at 120 West O'Brien Drive, with court and administrative offices open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday thru Friday.
More information regarding the Judiciary of Guam can be found on their website at http://www.guamsupremecourt.com/index.asp or by contacting the Office of the Administrator of the Courts.
In 1972, The United States Congress established the office of the Delegate of the Territory of Guam. The Guam Delegate to Congress is a non-voting member of the U.S. House of Representatives. The Guam Delegate is able to introduce legislation as well as speak on the House floor, however the representative does not have the privilege to vote.
To learn more visit the website of the Office of Guam's Delegate to Congress.
Mayors and Vice Mayors are elected in all 19 municipal districts or villages on Guam. On September 16, 1989, Senator Madeleine Z. Bordallo's Bill No. 120 became Public Law 20-33, changing these public officials title from Commissioner to Mayor and Assistant Commissioner to Vice Mayor. These positions are political in nature which extend to the Mayors and Vice Mayors. The powers that are normally inherent under the American system of government.
Although their inherent powers have proved to be effective, the Mayors and Vice Mayors fall short in authority in comparison to their counterpart in the United States.
In a strictly municipal or village function in which the Mayor is absent, the Vice Mayor precedes other officials with the exception of the Governor or Lieutenant Governor if they are present.
In an islandwide function, the President of the Mayor's Council of Guam, who is elected from among their rank, precedes all other Mayors and Vice Mayors.
Organized on July 27, 1972, the Consular Corps aims to promote friendly relations and better understanding between member countries and Guam. The Corps represents the interests of thousands of their respective peoples while they work and live on Guam. The Corps also serves as a link between the various national groups and the government of Guam.
Upon the presentation of the consular official's appointment to Guam, the receiving official, the governor of Guam, grants such consular official an exequatur or authority to perform his or her consular duties in the territory. A consular official shall be entitled to special protection and to high consideration by territorial officials with whom he or she maintains official dialogue.
The Consular Corps is headed by a "Dean" who is the highest-ranking consular officer in Guam. The order of precedence in the Consular Corps is based on rank and the date of assuming one's post in the local area.
In addition to Consular Corps members, there are persons who represent the interests of their respective governments and fellow countrymen on Guam, without benefit of official recognition. These representatives are afforded the courtesy of public acknowledgement in social settings. They are addressed and referred to in conformance with the title of the business position they occupy. When members of the Consular Corps are present, caution must be exercised to avoid the appearance of elevating their status by using consular forms of address, or assigning to them an equivalent or higher order of precedence.
More information regarding each Consulate Office can be found on their respective websites or by contacting their offices:
Consulate General of the Philippines in Agana: http://www.philippinesguam.org/philippines-agana/about-the-philippines-agana/
Consulate Agency of the Republic of Korea in Hagatñ: http://overseas.mofa.go.kr/us-Hagatñ-en/index.do
Consulate-General of Japan in Hagatñ: https://www.Hagatñ.us.emb-japan.go.jp/itprtop_en/index.html
Palau Consulate Office: Email at guampalauconsulateoffice@gmail.com
Federated States of Micronesia: Email at fsm@teleguam.net
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