In an interview, Chin said he was unfazed by the threat of Sen. Alfonso Diaz to prevent him from being sworn in.
Diaz was quoted as saying that if he is reappointed to chair the credentials committee, he will work to block Chin from assuming his seat in the Senate.
The committee will soon be formed following the election of Chin to the seat vacated by the death of Sen. Adalbert Eledui.
The credentials committee is tasked to provide a fair review of the credentials of newly elected senators. The Senate president appoints members of the committee.
“I think the senators now are more well-informed and will treat the matter fairly,” Chin said.
In 2000, Chin won a seat in the Senate, but was not seated after the Credentials Committee then led by Diaz determined that he did not meet the qualifications of a senator.
The Senate decision was appealed to the Palau Supreme Court, which ruled that Chin met all requirements.
But in the same ruling, the court said the Senate, as the sole entity that could decide who to seat, could prevent Chin from assuming office. Chin was not seated.
In 2004, Chin was elected vice president of Palau.
Four years later, he narrowly lost to Johnson Toribiong in the presidential election.
Chin served as justice minister during the administration of President Kuniwo Nakamura from 1997-2000 and is a former U.S. Army lt. colonel.
CORRECTION: Chin was born to a Palauan mother, not Japanese, as earlier reported.
