Toribiong however did not name an appointee for the Ministry of State pending further consultation with the senators.
Johnny Gibbons, former Koror Governor is named Minister of Justice; Peleliu Governor Jackson Ngiraingas is Minister of Public Infrastructure, Industries and Commerce; Dr. Stevenson Kuartei as Health Minister; Masa-Aki Emesiochl, Education Minister; Scott Yano as Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs; and Youlsau Bells as Minister of Natural Resources, Environment and Tourism.Earlier Vice President Kerai Mariur was named Minister of Finance.“I have reviewed the credentials of these appointees and found them to possess necessary background experience and qualifications to perform their duties and responsibilities to their respective ministries to which they each have been appointed. I trust that you and your esteemed colleagues in the Senate will find them qualified to serve the Palau general public in the capacities which they are being entrusted,” Toribiong said.Kuartei is the current Bureau of Public Health Director ; Emesiochl formerly served as Director in the Ministry of Education; Yano is the current director of the Department of State and Cultural Affairs, Koror State Government while Bells worked as a National Environmental Planner of the Office of Environmental Response and Coordination.These appointees have to go through Senate confirmation. The Senate session will resume on January 27.Toribiong also announced that the new Attorney General’s position will be filled up by lawyer Ernestine Rengiil .He added that he will also nominate Assistant Attorney General (AAG) Michael Copeland as Special Prosecutor.The president said he will also name his appointees to the Office of the Ombusdman and Public Auditor’s position.
