KOROR (Island Times/Pacnews) — Palau’s new president Surangel Whipps Jr., is overseeing seven of the eight cabinet posts until their ministers are appointed by Whipps and confirmed by the Senate.
Surangel Whipps Jr.
A memorandum to government directors from the Office of the President last week stated that until the ministers are confirmed, all matters requiring approval of the ministers will be directed to President Whipps.
This arrangement is usually normal for a new president who has not yet appointed the members of his cabinet.
Some of the responsibilities that require a minister’s approval include approving personnel actions, requisitions and contractual agreements not assigned to directors.
President Whipps has already sent two nominations to the Senate: Kaleb Udui Jr. for the Ministry of Finance and Charles Obichang for the Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Industry & Commerce.
The new minister of state is Vice President J. Uduch Senior but her appointment does not require Senate confirmation.
The president still needs to appoint the ministers of health, justice, education, community & cultural affairs, and natural resources, environment & tourism.
Whipps said he will submit the nominations after the “re-alignment” of the ministries which, he added, will also determine the ministers’ qualifications.
But the “re-alignment” of ministries will require the enactment of new law by Palau’s bicameral legislature.
Whipps said this is not an unusual situation, adding that President Ngiratkel Etpison did not have ministers for two years of his four-year term. Etpison was president from 1989 to 1993
