Overview:
Ngardmau Acting Gov. Terrence Miozawa says the state government is operating under its existing budget authority, dismissing rumors that it has no governor or funding. The statement comes as a dispute over former Gov. Jennifer Ngiraiwet's second impeachment continues ahead of a Nov. 13 special election.
By: L.N. Reklai
KOROR, Palau (Oct. 19, 2026) — Ngardmau Acting Gov. Terrence Miozawa says the state government continues to operate under continuing budget authority, rejecting rumors that the government is closed or has no governor or budget.
The statement comes as a dispute continues over the removal of former Gov. Jennifer Ngiraiwet and the validity of her second impeachment.
Fisher, chief clerk of Kelulul Ngardmau, the state legislature, said the Ministry of Finance contacted Miozawa shortly before the last payday because it questioned the signature on the state government’s employee timesheets.
“A week before last payday, the Ministry of Finance called Acting Governor Miozawa, saying that the signature on the state’s timesheet was not the authorized signature, and asked the Acting Governor to submit the proper timesheets. The Acting Governor was not aware that unauthorized persons had submitted timesheets,” Fisher said.
She said Miozawa went to the Ministry of Finance and submitted the correct timesheets, allowing state employees to receive their paychecks on the last payday.
“So it is clear that Speaker Miozawa is currently the governor of Ngardmau,” Fisher said.
Fisher also responded to claims that Miozawa had chosen to pay some employees but not others. She said the employees who did not receive their paychecks were those who chose to walk out of the office when Ngiraiwet was removed from office.
Dispute over who leads Ngardmau
The disagreement over who has the authority to lead Ngardmau began with Ngiraiwet’s impeachment.
Kelulul Ngardmau impeached Ngiraiwet in July. The trial court ruled that the legislature had the authority to impeach her. Ngiraiwet appealed the decision to the Appellate Court.
The Appellate Court ruled that the impeachment process was unfair because Ngiraiwet did not receive proper notice or a fair chance to defend herself against the charges.
On Sept. 16, the same day the court issued its ruling, Kelulul Ngardmau approved a second impeachment resolution against Ngiraiwet.
The court’s ruling stopped a special election for governor scheduled for the following day. However, it did not stop the legislature from taking up the second impeachment.
Ngiraiwet’s party later asked the court to immediately cancel the second impeachment. The court denied the request because the existing lawsuit did not include a claim challenging the second impeachment.
The court’s decision did not settle whether the second impeachment was valid.
Ngiraiwet continues to reject the second impeachment and seeks to exercise the governor’s powers. Meanwhile, Kelulul Ngardmau maintains that the impeachment is valid and that Speaker Miozawa is the acting governor under the Ngardmau State Constitution.
The Palau Election Commission has scheduled a special election for Ngardmau governor for Nov. 13. The election date indicates that the national government is proceeding with the election process following the second impeachment.
Despite the continuing dispute, Miozawa’s office maintains that the state government remains open and continues to operate under its existing budget authority.