He said his running mate, Delegate Kerai Mariur, will most likely head the Ministry of Finance due to his “excellent financial background.”
Toribiong is also considering his key supporters — Sen. Joshua Koshiba, Peleliu Gov. Jackson Ngiraingas, Ngarchelong Gov Browny Salvador and former Aimeliik Gov. Demei Obak — for cabinet posts.
According to the president-elect, the Ministry of State position will be headed by someone “who has the academic background and political stature that can command respect in any international forum.”
He said the Ministry of Justice will be headed by someone with law experience.
Toribiong narrowly defeated outgoing Vice President and Justice Minister Elias Camsek Chin in the presidential election.
The president-elect said he doesn’t want “any political influence to penetrate the ministry.”
He added, “I want [a Justice minister] who is upright, has a legal background and will be neutral as much as possible.”
A lawyer, Toribiong said he will form a task force for the Compact review with the U.S. next year.
He has yet to decide whether to retain the current Compact negotiator, Billy Kuartei.
“My instinct is to bring in someone who was involved in the first Compact of Free Association negotiations,” Toribiong added.
He vowed not run the government by paying political debts.
“I never made any promises about any position. I did not want to campaign about promises. I did not do that during the campaign,” Toribiong said.
He has met people qualified to serve in his cabinet, but will still consult several sectors of the society before making decisions about his cabinet.
“I will do it the Palauan way,” Toribiong said.
His transition committee, meanwhile, is working with the outgoing administration.
“I will work with [President Tommy] Remengesau as much as I can to make [the transition] as smooth and orderly as possible,” Toribiong said.
Remengesau, who has been elected senator, said he will meet with his cabinet ministers to make sure that they are prepared to brief the president-elect.
Toribiong said he feels relived that the election is now over.
On Wednesday and Thursday, Toribiong met with the Palau Council of Traditional Leaders and the Governors Association.
“My aim is to unify Palau,” said Toribiong, who ran in the 1992 presidential election and lost against Kuniwo Nakamura.
