Palau News: AG Bradley Testify OEK; Fatal Compact Road Collision; Peleliu Legislature; Fake US Money
AG focuses on his office, mum on ISP
WRITTEN BY L. N. REKLAI
FRIDAY, 11 MARCH 2016 01:14
Amid recent controversies involving the Office of Interim Special Prosecutor and the association with the Office of the Attorney General, AG John Bradley focuses on other responsibilities of his office and remains mum on the ISP issue. “The Office of the Attorney General is much better now than it was when I took over 2 years ago. And I am comfortable with the number of attorneys we now have,” said Attorney General John Bradley on the capacity of Attorney General’s Office in a recent interview.
According to AG Bradley, his office currently has 9 attorneys including the AG Bradley himself and 2 investigators. “Not many people know exactly what it is that the AG’s office does,” said Bradley“We represent the Republic in cases when national laws are violated as well as provide legal advice to all the Ministries and the Executive Branch.”
“We review corporate registration applications and forward to the President for his approval as well as review all legal contracts that the Republic enters into from service contracts, to employment contracts to construction contracts or any contract that the Executive Branch executes,” he explained.
“AG’s Office also provides legal support to Boards and Commissions. I’ve assigned one attorney to work with Environmental Quality Protection Board, Election Commission and Parole Board. EQPB has been able to move more on violation notices and recently filed a suit because now there is an attorney working with them”, added AG Bradley.
A new attorney will be arriving soon who will be tasked specifically to help government draft regulations for various laws that call for such. “It is not unusual for a young country to have to develop many regulations. Many of the laws enacted require regulations to implement them and that is why I am assigning one attorney to work with the Ministries to develop regulations needed to implement policies,” reiterated AG.
According to court records, 167 criminal cases were filed last year by the Office of the Attorney General. AG’s Office had assigned one attorney to work with the Belau Drug Enforcement Taskforce to fully support the efforts of the Taskforce. With implementation of the Family Protection Act, it is anticipated that more cases will be filed by the Attorney General’s Office.
“We do not represent individuals. We basically represent the Government, specifically the Executive Branch. Sometimes we get calls from individuals asking if we can represent them,” says AG.
Office of Public Defender assists those that have had suits filed against them by the Republic but cannot afford an attorney. Office of Public Defender is under the Ministry of State, according to AG. “Micronesian Legal Service assists people who cannot afford private attorney in civil cases and this is an independent agency that people can utilize,” added AG Bradley on legal services available to individuals.
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COMPACT ROAD COLLISION KILLS ONE
TIA BELAU NEWS. MARCH 14, 2016.
A Bangladeshi national is dead following a two-car collision in the compact road last Saturday night.
Information obtained by Tia Belau said that Shajahan who is employed by Mr. Thomas Rumong died, however, the extent of his injuries are not known. Two other Bangladeshi were riding in the car with Shajahan are in the hospital with serious injuries.
The two-car collision took place at an incline of the compact road between 7-8pm. A van with Palauan couple coming in the direction of Koror collided with the car carrying the Bangladeshis. The couple are said to have escaped serious injuries.
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Court voids 12th Peleliu State Legislature
WRITTEN BY L. N. REKLAI
FRIDAY, 11 MARCH 2016 01:16
Palau Supreme Court declared the 12th Peleliu State Legislature’s oaths of office void in a judgment issued on Tuesday, March 8, 2016. The Court further voided all subsequent activities held after January 1st, 2016.
On January 1st of this year, according to the court document, the newly elected members of Peleliu legislature split into two (2) groups, with one group of 8 taking oath of office in Koror and another group of 6 taking oath in Peleliu.
Peleliu group (plaintiffs) filed a suit asking the court to declare their oaths of office valid and to declare the Koror group (defendants), oaths of office void. The plaintiffs also asked the court to declare void all subsequent activities by the 12th PSL.
The Peleliu group (plaintiffs) argued that the Koror group (defendants) taking oath of office did not take place on the second Tuesday of January and did not take place in Peleliu. The plaintiffs argued that the position of chief title Uchesias is contested and Yukiwo Shmull does not have the right to hold a legislature seat and thereforethe Koror group did not have a quorum to conduct business.
The Koror group (defendants) argued that that the word “first” preceding session was the important word and refers to the first session and that there is no state building in Peleliu right now.
The court accepted the plaintiffs’ argument that the title Uchelsias is contested and therefore, the seat is vacant. Peleliu Constitution states that “A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum to conduct business.” The court ruled that the Koror group did not have a quorum to conduct business. The court added, “Interestingly, the plaintiffs’ successful argument against the defendants that they lacked quorum to conduct business on January 1st, also works against them.”
According to the court, the 6 member Peleliu group (plaintiffs) did not have the quorum to conduct business, to create a credentials committee to vet the credentials of members and therefore, court also ruled their oaths of office not valid.
The Koror group as referred to by Court, consisted of Obak’l Delolk Isao Singeo, Renguul Donald Haruo, Obak’l Lechol Kuniwo Nakamura, Legislator at Large Harlan Nicholas, Legislator of Ngerchol hamlet Andres Napoleon, Legislator at Large Peter Napoleon, Legislator at Large Eufrasia Remeliik, Yukiwo Shmull and Postol Remeliik. Postol Remeliik is named in the suit but he was not present at the swearing in ceremony in Koror on January 1st.
The Peliliu group, again as referred to by Court, included Legislator at Large Billy Rekemel, Legislator at Large Florah Tewid, Legislator Ngerdeloik hamlet Cordino Soalablai, Legislator of Ngesias hamlet Mesai Chin, Legislator of Ngerkkeukl hamlet Edburgh Mabel and Legislator of Teliu hamlet Charles Rekemel.
The judgment also denied the plaintiffs’ request for attorney fees and cost and declared all parties bear their own costs.
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Police: Counterfeit $100 bills circulating in Guam
Masako Watanabe, mwatanabe@guampdn.com 3:39 p.m. ChST March 11, 2016
Counterfeit $100 bills are circulating on island, police say, and the public is urged to exercise caution and report them immediately if spotted.
The department received numerous reports over the past few weeks of counterfeit bills from numerous businesses including mom-and-pop stores, grocery stores, restaurants and gas stations, said Officer Paul Tapao, acting GPD spokesman and Guam Crime Stoppers coordinator.
Tapao said the counterfeit bills have the following significant markings:
Pink foreign Asian character markings on the left side of the note
12 dash marks on the upper right corner
All have the serial number PF03229158T
Anyone who sees counterfeit bills are urged to call the nearest precinct and report it immediately.
http://www.guampdn.com/story/news/2016/03/10/police-counterfeit-100-bills-circulating-guam/81628606/
WRITTEN BY L. N. REKLAI
FRIDAY, 11 MARCH 2016 01:14
Amid recent controversies involving the Office of Interim Special Prosecutor and the association with the Office of the Attorney General, AG John Bradley focuses on other responsibilities of his office and remains mum on the ISP issue. “The Office of the Attorney General is much better now than it was when I took over 2 years ago. And I am comfortable with the number of attorneys we now have,” said Attorney General John Bradley on the capacity of Attorney General’s Office in a recent interview.
According to AG Bradley, his office currently has 9 attorneys including the AG Bradley himself and 2 investigators. “Not many people know exactly what it is that the AG’s office does,” said Bradley“We represent the Republic in cases when national laws are violated as well as provide legal advice to all the Ministries and the Executive Branch.”
“We review corporate registration applications and forward to the President for his approval as well as review all legal contracts that the Republic enters into from service contracts, to employment contracts to construction contracts or any contract that the Executive Branch executes,” he explained.
“AG’s Office also provides legal support to Boards and Commissions. I’ve assigned one attorney to work with Environmental Quality Protection Board, Election Commission and Parole Board. EQPB has been able to move more on violation notices and recently filed a suit because now there is an attorney working with them”, added AG Bradley.
A new attorney will be arriving soon who will be tasked specifically to help government draft regulations for various laws that call for such. “It is not unusual for a young country to have to develop many regulations. Many of the laws enacted require regulations to implement them and that is why I am assigning one attorney to work with the Ministries to develop regulations needed to implement policies,” reiterated AG.
According to court records, 167 criminal cases were filed last year by the Office of the Attorney General. AG’s Office had assigned one attorney to work with the Belau Drug Enforcement Taskforce to fully support the efforts of the Taskforce. With implementation of the Family Protection Act, it is anticipated that more cases will be filed by the Attorney General’s Office.
“We do not represent individuals. We basically represent the Government, specifically the Executive Branch. Sometimes we get calls from individuals asking if we can represent them,” says AG.
Office of Public Defender assists those that have had suits filed against them by the Republic but cannot afford an attorney. Office of Public Defender is under the Ministry of State, according to AG. “Micronesian Legal Service assists people who cannot afford private attorney in civil cases and this is an independent agency that people can utilize,” added AG Bradley on legal services available to individuals.
--------------------------------------------------------
COMPACT ROAD COLLISION KILLS ONE
TIA BELAU NEWS. MARCH 14, 2016.
A Bangladeshi national is dead following a two-car collision in the compact road last Saturday night.
Information obtained by Tia Belau said that Shajahan who is employed by Mr. Thomas Rumong died, however, the extent of his injuries are not known. Two other Bangladeshi were riding in the car with Shajahan are in the hospital with serious injuries.
The two-car collision took place at an incline of the compact road between 7-8pm. A van with Palauan couple coming in the direction of Koror collided with the car carrying the Bangladeshis. The couple are said to have escaped serious injuries.
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Court voids 12th Peleliu State Legislature
WRITTEN BY L. N. REKLAI
FRIDAY, 11 MARCH 2016 01:16
Palau Supreme Court declared the 12th Peleliu State Legislature’s oaths of office void in a judgment issued on Tuesday, March 8, 2016. The Court further voided all subsequent activities held after January 1st, 2016.
On January 1st of this year, according to the court document, the newly elected members of Peleliu legislature split into two (2) groups, with one group of 8 taking oath of office in Koror and another group of 6 taking oath in Peleliu.
Peleliu group (plaintiffs) filed a suit asking the court to declare their oaths of office valid and to declare the Koror group (defendants), oaths of office void. The plaintiffs also asked the court to declare void all subsequent activities by the 12th PSL.
The Peleliu group (plaintiffs) argued that the Koror group (defendants) taking oath of office did not take place on the second Tuesday of January and did not take place in Peleliu. The plaintiffs argued that the position of chief title Uchesias is contested and Yukiwo Shmull does not have the right to hold a legislature seat and thereforethe Koror group did not have a quorum to conduct business.
The Koror group (defendants) argued that that the word “first” preceding session was the important word and refers to the first session and that there is no state building in Peleliu right now.
The court accepted the plaintiffs’ argument that the title Uchelsias is contested and therefore, the seat is vacant. Peleliu Constitution states that “A majority of the members shall constitute a quorum to conduct business.” The court ruled that the Koror group did not have a quorum to conduct business. The court added, “Interestingly, the plaintiffs’ successful argument against the defendants that they lacked quorum to conduct business on January 1st, also works against them.”
According to the court, the 6 member Peleliu group (plaintiffs) did not have the quorum to conduct business, to create a credentials committee to vet the credentials of members and therefore, court also ruled their oaths of office not valid.
The Koror group as referred to by Court, consisted of Obak’l Delolk Isao Singeo, Renguul Donald Haruo, Obak’l Lechol Kuniwo Nakamura, Legislator at Large Harlan Nicholas, Legislator of Ngerchol hamlet Andres Napoleon, Legislator at Large Peter Napoleon, Legislator at Large Eufrasia Remeliik, Yukiwo Shmull and Postol Remeliik. Postol Remeliik is named in the suit but he was not present at the swearing in ceremony in Koror on January 1st.
The Peliliu group, again as referred to by Court, included Legislator at Large Billy Rekemel, Legislator at Large Florah Tewid, Legislator Ngerdeloik hamlet Cordino Soalablai, Legislator of Ngesias hamlet Mesai Chin, Legislator of Ngerkkeukl hamlet Edburgh Mabel and Legislator of Teliu hamlet Charles Rekemel.
The judgment also denied the plaintiffs’ request for attorney fees and cost and declared all parties bear their own costs.
-------------------------------------------------------
Police: Counterfeit $100 bills circulating in Guam
Masako Watanabe, mwatanabe@guampdn.com 3:39 p.m. ChST March 11, 2016
Counterfeit $100 bills are circulating on island, police say, and the public is urged to exercise caution and report them immediately if spotted.
The department received numerous reports over the past few weeks of counterfeit bills from numerous businesses including mom-and-pop stores, grocery stores, restaurants and gas stations, said Officer Paul Tapao, acting GPD spokesman and Guam Crime Stoppers coordinator.
Tapao said the counterfeit bills have the following significant markings:
Pink foreign Asian character markings on the left side of the note
12 dash marks on the upper right corner
All have the serial number PF03229158T
Anyone who sees counterfeit bills are urged to call the nearest precinct and report it immediately.
http://www.guampdn.com/story/news/2016/03/10/police-counterfeit-100-bills-circulating-guam/81628606/