KOROR (Palau Horizon) – PALAU’s new Pledge of Allegiance will be read and announced today during the celebration of the 30th Anniversary of the Constitution of Palau at the Capitol Flag Pavilion in Melekeok.
According to Ministry of Community and Cultural Affairs Minister Faustina Rehuher-Marugg, the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Community and Cultural Affairs organized a competition to draft the Pledge of Allegiance of Palau.
Three drafts were short-listed and were given to the President for approval. And the chosen one will be read and announced today.
Eunice Akiwo, Director for Bureau of Domestic Affairs of the Ministry of State, said the ceremony today will start at 9:00 in the morning with the usual morning prayers, flag-raising and national anthem, followed by the reading of Palau’s Pledge of Allegiance.
“Other interesting activities during the ceremony are the signing of the Youth Constitution by the National Youth Council of Palau and the unveiling of the new Republic Stamp,” said Akiwo.
Officers of government agencies, foreign dignitaries and the public are expected to witness the event today. “The event is open to the public,” said Akiwo. “The President is inviting the public to participate.”
Public Law No. 7-5-5 designates July 9 of each year as Constitution Day of Palau to commemorate and celebrate the establishment of the Constitution.
On June 2, 1979, the proposed Constitution of Palau was first approved. It was ratified on July 9, 1980 in a nationwide referendum. On January 1, 1981 the first Constitutional Government of Palau was installed on the basis of its Constitution.
Again, on November 2, 2004, the people of Palau voted to convene the second Constitutional Convention to review the Constitution; and on November 4, 2008, certain amendments to the Constitution were ratified in yet another nationwide referendum.
January 1, marked the 29th anniversary of the installation of the Constitutional Government, but July 9, 2010 marks the 30th anniversary of the Constitution.
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