By Nazario Rodriguez JR.
Horizon news satff

Supreme Court Chief Justice Arthur Ngiraklsong has sworn-in yesterday State Legislative Speaker Constantino Ngiraked as the acting governor of Ngatpang.
Witnessing the simple oath were some of the members of the State Legislature that included Vice Speaker Tekemura Erungel, who will be the acting speaker but the First Ngatpang State Legislature.
But a Resolution has to be adopted first before Erungel will sit as the acting speaker.
Ngiraked vowed to do his best to serve Ngatpang in his acting capacity as the Governor.
Ngiraklsong issued an Order on Monday May 14 in Civil Action Nos 99-205 (Rep. of Palau vs. Ngatpang State Govt) and 06-297 (Remoket Ngirngetrang et. al vs. Palau Election Commission) declaring a failure of election on May 9.
Two candidates, Francesca Otong and Demei Otobed failed to get the majority of the registered voters to qualify for the position.
Otong, who also made her present felt at the oath taking rite, said she respects the decision of the court and is confident to win in the upcoming runoff election.
But no schedule yet for the runoff.
The contending parties in the two civil cases at issue stipulated on April 10 that in the event no candidate obtained the majority of the registered voters at the May 9, election, a run-off election of the two top vote-getters should be held shortly.
Ngiraklsong said in his Order that the May 9 election was an election between the top two vote-getters.
He said that it would appear that ordering another election between the very same candidates would not produce a winner.
"Hence, the Court suspends that portion of the stipulation calling for a run-off election until reasons are given to justify one," the chief justice said.
He said that since Ngatpang Constitution provides for an acting governor in case of a vacancy, the government of Ngatpang should now proceed to take charge of its rightful duties to the extent that can be done with an acting governor.