Palau Legal & Custom Matters: Bill 2 Allow Candidates, Bilung Seizes Chief Title, OSP Receives Goods
Bill removes the requirement for gov’t employees to resign before running for national elective office
by Leilani Reklai
January 21, 2022
A bill to amend the law, removing the requirement for government employees to resign from their jobs before they run for national public office, has passed the 3rd reading in the House of Delegates.
Current law requires that any employee of the national government covered under the Palau National Public Service System Act must resign first before becoming a candidate to an elective office in the national government.
The proposed bill seeks to remove this requirement saying that it “discourages many otherwise qualified and exemplary citizens from seeking public office to best serve the Republic.”.
Furthermore, it states, “this current requirement for a resignation does little to further this trust, instead of acting as a hardship for citizens seeking to serve the Republic and preventing the potential candidacy of worthy public servants.”
https://islandtimes.org/bill-removes-the-requirement-for-govt-employees-to-resign-before-running-for-national-elective-office/
------------------------------------------------
Bilung as Ibedul takes control of HOTL
by Leilani Reklai
January 18, 2022
Bilung Gloria Salii takes control of the House of Traditional Leaders (HOTL) of Koror State Government assuming the title of Ibedul and the responsibilities that come with the title, this she said in a letter to chief Ngiraikelau Francisco Gibbons, the second-ranking chief of Koror.
In a letter dated January 12, 2021, matriarch Bilung Gloria Salii tells chief Ngiraikelau, “I am Ibedul and Bilung at this time. I call the meeting of the council of chiefs. I approve any work to be done in the HOTL. The chiefs meet at HOTL and not RIC, which is not a place for the chiefs to meet.”
Earlier on January 6, in a letter to HOTL, she informed them that she has removed the title of Rechucher-ra-Techekii from Alexander Merep and has removed him from the House of Traditional Leaders. A similar letter from Rimuu Dominica Ngoriak also removed Harry Fritz from the title Adelbairekesoaol and the HOTL.
Ten member chiefs of the HOTL, 6 Ngarameketii, and 4 Rubekul Kldeu, sent letters to both Bilung and Rimuu asking why they were removing their “friends”, saying they have been loyal and productive members of the HOTL for years.
In the letter to chief Ngiraikelau, Bilung said that Alexander Merep has been removed from his seat and should not be called to a meeting of the chiefs.
Furthermore, in the letter, she said that the power of attorney Ibedul Yutaka Gibbons gave Ngiraikelau to transact the business of HOTL expired upon his death and that he does not have the authority anymore. She tells him that if he wants anything, he should tell her and she calls the meeting.
Meanwhile, a letter from the new Governor Eyos Rudimch to Bilung asked for time to review her request for the honorarium of Ibedul. He said he has no say on the matters of Idid clan or its chiefs, but since the issue is a matter of law, he needs time to conduct a legal review and asked for her patience and understanding. (By: L.N. Reklai)
https://islandtimes.org/bilung-as-ibedul-takes-control-of-hotl/
------------------------------------------------
Laptops and cellphones seized in Online Gambling case turned over to government
by Island Times Staff
January 21, 2022
Remaining Laptops and Cell Phones Seized in Online Gambling Turned Over to the Government
Koror, Palau - The OSP received 44 laptops and 70 phones back from US agencies following assistance from the agencies in clearing data from the laptops and phones so they could be put to good used in Palau. This is the last of the equipment seized in the online unlicensed gambling operation from the Harvest Hotel, which resulted earlier in 57 defendants being charged, found guilty, and sentenced on working without permits and promoting online gambling. All defendants left the Republic under a negotiated agreement. The laptops and phones were among the items voluntarily forfeited to the Republic of Palau.
From this second grouping, some of the cleared laptops and phones were distributed to several government agencies upon request with approval of the President’s Office including the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Environment, Foreign Investment Board, Office of the National Security Advisor, Office of the Public Auditor, and the Office of the Special Prosecutor. Of the 44 laptops, 3 were previously damaged beyond repair, 2 need batteries installed, and 19 were distributed. Of the 82 phones, 13 did not work, and 7 were distributed. The remaining laptops and phones are with the Office of the President to be distributed upon request.
Former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor once said, “(w)e don’t accomplish anything in this life alone…and whatever happens is the result of the whole tapestry of one’s life and all the weavings of individual threads from one to another that creates something.” The OSP did not accomplish convictions in any of our cases, including the Harvest Hotel cases, by ourselves but with the assistance and cooperation of other agencies, individuals, and the public. Therefore, we wish to thank everyone who helped bring these cases to a successful ending for the benefit of Palau.
https://islandtimes.org/laptops-and-cellphones-seized-in-online-gambling-case-turned-over-to-government/
---------------------------------------------------
Bilung assumes Ibedul title and claims compensation
by Leilani Reklai
December 31, 2021
Bilung Gloria Salii, the chief matriarch of Koror State said that she had assumed the duties and responsibilities of Ibedul and therefore should be receiving Ibedul’s monthly honorarium.
Koror State law provides compensation to the members of the House of Traditional Leaders (HOTL). $700 for Ibedul, $500 for each Ngarameketii member, paid every 15th and 30th of the month.
“Therefore I request that the Klobak’s monthly honorarium of Ibedul be issued to my name Bilung Gloria Salii,” stated the letter signed Ibedul Bilung Gloria Salii to Koror State Governor Franco Gibbons.
An opinion issued by Governor Gibbons’s attorney regarding Bilung’s request stated that Koror State law requires that honorarium be paid to a person that actually holds a title “and sits as a member of the House of Traditional Leaders.” The law further states that if there are two claimants to the title that the honorarium is held until the court has determined the proper bearer of the title.
The opinion further states that there has been no document from HOTL to show that they have taken action to accept Bilung as a member of the HOTL. Until such a document is produced, the Koror state government may not have a legal basis to pay the honorarium. But if such a document is produced, then the government should pay the Ibedul’s honorarium to Bilung.
Bilung had also informed the National Council of Chiefs that she had taken over the responsibilities and duties of Ibedul and that anything related to the role of Ibedul should go to her. The Council of Chiefs replied expressing their sorrow over the passing of their friend and said they look forward to the submission of the name of the next Ibedul.
It is a rare event for a female counterpart (keldorolel a rubak) to assume the chief’s title but it is the first time that it is seen in the position of a paramount chief.
https://islandtimes.org/bilung-assumes-ibedul-title-and-claims-compensation/
by Leilani Reklai
January 21, 2022
A bill to amend the law, removing the requirement for government employees to resign from their jobs before they run for national public office, has passed the 3rd reading in the House of Delegates.
Current law requires that any employee of the national government covered under the Palau National Public Service System Act must resign first before becoming a candidate to an elective office in the national government.
The proposed bill seeks to remove this requirement saying that it “discourages many otherwise qualified and exemplary citizens from seeking public office to best serve the Republic.”.
Furthermore, it states, “this current requirement for a resignation does little to further this trust, instead of acting as a hardship for citizens seeking to serve the Republic and preventing the potential candidacy of worthy public servants.”
https://islandtimes.org/bill-removes-the-requirement-for-govt-employees-to-resign-before-running-for-national-elective-office/
------------------------------------------------
Bilung as Ibedul takes control of HOTL
by Leilani Reklai
January 18, 2022
Bilung Gloria Salii takes control of the House of Traditional Leaders (HOTL) of Koror State Government assuming the title of Ibedul and the responsibilities that come with the title, this she said in a letter to chief Ngiraikelau Francisco Gibbons, the second-ranking chief of Koror.
In a letter dated January 12, 2021, matriarch Bilung Gloria Salii tells chief Ngiraikelau, “I am Ibedul and Bilung at this time. I call the meeting of the council of chiefs. I approve any work to be done in the HOTL. The chiefs meet at HOTL and not RIC, which is not a place for the chiefs to meet.”
Earlier on January 6, in a letter to HOTL, she informed them that she has removed the title of Rechucher-ra-Techekii from Alexander Merep and has removed him from the House of Traditional Leaders. A similar letter from Rimuu Dominica Ngoriak also removed Harry Fritz from the title Adelbairekesoaol and the HOTL.
Ten member chiefs of the HOTL, 6 Ngarameketii, and 4 Rubekul Kldeu, sent letters to both Bilung and Rimuu asking why they were removing their “friends”, saying they have been loyal and productive members of the HOTL for years.
In the letter to chief Ngiraikelau, Bilung said that Alexander Merep has been removed from his seat and should not be called to a meeting of the chiefs.
Furthermore, in the letter, she said that the power of attorney Ibedul Yutaka Gibbons gave Ngiraikelau to transact the business of HOTL expired upon his death and that he does not have the authority anymore. She tells him that if he wants anything, he should tell her and she calls the meeting.
Meanwhile, a letter from the new Governor Eyos Rudimch to Bilung asked for time to review her request for the honorarium of Ibedul. He said he has no say on the matters of Idid clan or its chiefs, but since the issue is a matter of law, he needs time to conduct a legal review and asked for her patience and understanding. (By: L.N. Reklai)
https://islandtimes.org/bilung-as-ibedul-takes-control-of-hotl/
------------------------------------------------
Laptops and cellphones seized in Online Gambling case turned over to government
by Island Times Staff
January 21, 2022
Remaining Laptops and Cell Phones Seized in Online Gambling Turned Over to the Government
Koror, Palau - The OSP received 44 laptops and 70 phones back from US agencies following assistance from the agencies in clearing data from the laptops and phones so they could be put to good used in Palau. This is the last of the equipment seized in the online unlicensed gambling operation from the Harvest Hotel, which resulted earlier in 57 defendants being charged, found guilty, and sentenced on working without permits and promoting online gambling. All defendants left the Republic under a negotiated agreement. The laptops and phones were among the items voluntarily forfeited to the Republic of Palau.
From this second grouping, some of the cleared laptops and phones were distributed to several government agencies upon request with approval of the President’s Office including the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Environment, Foreign Investment Board, Office of the National Security Advisor, Office of the Public Auditor, and the Office of the Special Prosecutor. Of the 44 laptops, 3 were previously damaged beyond repair, 2 need batteries installed, and 19 were distributed. Of the 82 phones, 13 did not work, and 7 were distributed. The remaining laptops and phones are with the Office of the President to be distributed upon request.
Former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor once said, “(w)e don’t accomplish anything in this life alone…and whatever happens is the result of the whole tapestry of one’s life and all the weavings of individual threads from one to another that creates something.” The OSP did not accomplish convictions in any of our cases, including the Harvest Hotel cases, by ourselves but with the assistance and cooperation of other agencies, individuals, and the public. Therefore, we wish to thank everyone who helped bring these cases to a successful ending for the benefit of Palau.
https://islandtimes.org/laptops-and-cellphones-seized-in-online-gambling-case-turned-over-to-government/
---------------------------------------------------
Bilung assumes Ibedul title and claims compensation
by Leilani Reklai
December 31, 2021
Bilung Gloria Salii, the chief matriarch of Koror State said that she had assumed the duties and responsibilities of Ibedul and therefore should be receiving Ibedul’s monthly honorarium.
Koror State law provides compensation to the members of the House of Traditional Leaders (HOTL). $700 for Ibedul, $500 for each Ngarameketii member, paid every 15th and 30th of the month.
“Therefore I request that the Klobak’s monthly honorarium of Ibedul be issued to my name Bilung Gloria Salii,” stated the letter signed Ibedul Bilung Gloria Salii to Koror State Governor Franco Gibbons.
An opinion issued by Governor Gibbons’s attorney regarding Bilung’s request stated that Koror State law requires that honorarium be paid to a person that actually holds a title “and sits as a member of the House of Traditional Leaders.” The law further states that if there are two claimants to the title that the honorarium is held until the court has determined the proper bearer of the title.
The opinion further states that there has been no document from HOTL to show that they have taken action to accept Bilung as a member of the HOTL. Until such a document is produced, the Koror state government may not have a legal basis to pay the honorarium. But if such a document is produced, then the government should pay the Ibedul’s honorarium to Bilung.
Bilung had also informed the National Council of Chiefs that she had taken over the responsibilities and duties of Ibedul and that anything related to the role of Ibedul should go to her. The Council of Chiefs replied expressing their sorrow over the passing of their friend and said they look forward to the submission of the name of the next Ibedul.
It is a rare event for a female counterpart (keldorolel a rubak) to assume the chief’s title but it is the first time that it is seen in the position of a paramount chief.
https://islandtimes.org/bilung-assumes-ibedul-title-and-claims-compensation/