By Nazario Rodriguez Jr.
Horizon news staff

Speaker Augustine Mesebeluu issued his disagreement with President Remengesau on appropriation power over outside grants and foreign aid as the House of Delegates passed the Senate version of the Fiscal Year 2007 Budget Bill proposing $57.5 million late Wednesday afternoon.
HOD staff Krispin Termeteet said that the bill has been readied for transmittal to the office of the president for his approval.
In another issue, Mesebeluu blasted the president for “confusing the people” on status of two OEK measures particularly the Financial Institution Commission Bill and house joint resolution on the longlining fishing agreement.
Mesebeluu, along with Delegates Kerai Mariur, Vice Speaker Okada Techitong and William Ngiraikelau, said that the president had been misinformed on the status of these measures.
The president was quoted as saying that the FIC bill has already been passed when in fact the HOD deferred it.
Mariur said that the Longlining agreement has already been passed by the HOD and yet “the president was not aware of this.”
The passage of the budget bill cat doubt on another continuing resolution except if President Remengesau veto it.
In his letter to Remengesau, Mesebeluu said that he disagrees “with your contention that the decision of the OEK to exercise its appropriation power over outside grants is a usurpation of the powers of the Chief Executive.
Mesebeluu said that the power of appropriation, except, where specifically delegated, has always been a legislative power.
He said that the executive branch has the power to spend money pursuant to appropriations, keeping in mind the welfare of the citizens of Palau.
“The idea that the OEK, in exercising its appropriation power over outside grants, is infringing upon the powers of the Chief Executive is a complete misstatement,” he said.
Mesebeluu told the president that in order to best serve the people of Palau the government must follow the prescribed process that has always existed, the legislature retains the power of appropriation and the executive branch retains the spending power.