Aldan-Pierce v. Mafnas

OPINION

DELA CRUZ, Chief Justice:

We are presented in this appeal with the issue of whether the *129exercise of an option agreement ("option") to purchase real property in the Commonwealth violated the land alienation restriction of Article XII of the NMI Constitution ("Article XII") if persons who are not of Northern Marianas descent thereby acquired an equitable fee interest in the land.2

I

The defendant, Leocadio C. Mafnas ("Mafnas"), appeals a summary judgment order compelling specific performance' of the option. Aldan-Pierce v. Mafnas, Civil Action No. 86-86 (N.M.I. Tr. Ct. Oct. 15, 1986)…