By Nazario Rodriguez Jr.
Horizon news staff

President Remengesau has granted full and complete pardon to Hokkons Baules for his convictions in nine criminal cases.
The Executive Clemency was issued on April 2 by the president to Supreme Court Clerk of Court Rose Ongalibang regarding Baules’s convictions on Criminal Case Nos. 00-291, 00-292, 80-115, 92-370, 97-051, 96-216, 92-328, 99-308, 99-376.
But the Order of Pardon was signed by the President on April 3 in Melekeok.
Copies of the order were also sent to the Chief Justice, Senate President, Speaker of the House of Delegates, Minister of Justice, Attorney General and Director of Bureau of Public Safety.
The Order of Pardon stated "By the authority vested in me pursuant to Article VIII, Section 7(5) of the Republic of Palau Constitution, and the Executive Clemency Act, 17 PNCA Sec.3201, et seq., I have considered the petition for Executive Clemency filed by criminal defendant Hokkons Baules and I hereby exercise Executive Clemency and grant a Full and Complete Pardon to Hokkons Baules for his convictions for Disturbing the Peace in Criminal Cases Nos. 00-291 (2/12/2002-Sentenced to pay a $50 fine), and 00-292 (2/22/2002-Sentenced to pay a $50 fine), Assault and Battery in Criminal Cases Nos. 80-115 (Received a Warning), 92-370 (8/3/93-Sente4nced to 6 Months Probation, 5 Weekends in Jail, $100 Fine, $86.60 Restitution, and 80 Hours Community Service) Threatening in Criminal Cases Nos. 97-051 (2/21/97-Sentenced to 6 Mos. Probation), 96-216 (9/5/1996- s Month Suspended Sentence), 92-328 (11/12/1992 – Sentenced to 6 Months Probation), 99-308 (12/15/1999 – Sentenced to 6 Months Probation) and Petit Larceny in Criminal Case No. 99-376 (3/20/2003 – Sentenced to $100 Fine and $49.99 Restitution).
Baules is running for the vacant Senate seat left by the late Johnny Reklai.
He filed his candidacy at 11 a.m. on April 2.