Ngardmau governor’s attorney demands speaker cease interference with state government

By: L.N. Reklai

KOROR, Palau (October 5, 2026) — “You have no court order authorizing you to act as Governor or to disable or disrupt the State Government,” attorney Johnson Toribiong wrote in a cease-and-desist letter to Ngardmau Legislature Speaker Terrence W. Miozawa, accusing him of interfering with Gov. Jennifer K. Ngiraiwet’s ability to perform her duties.

The five-page letter, dated Oct. 2, was sent on behalf of Ngiraiwet and addresses what Toribiong described as Miozawa’s recent actions, including allegedly representing himself as “Acting Governor” and directing or causing the Bank of Hawaii and other vendors to refuse checks and other payment instruments issued by Ngiraiwet in the conduct of state business.

The attorney’s letter argues that Miozawa has no court order authorizing him to interfere with Ngiraiwet’s exercise of the office of governor or with the ordinary financial operations of the Ngardmau State Government.

Toribiong bases the demand in part on the Sept. 16 decision of the Appellate Division in Ngiraiwet v. Eleventh Kelulul Ngardmau, 2026 Palau 12. According to the letter, the court found that the first resolution removing Ngiraiwet from office was the product of a constitutionally deficient process because she was not given notice and an opportunity to attend and defend herself against the accusations.

The letter further argues that a second resolution adopted by the Kelulul after the appellate decision did not correct the constitutional problems identified by the court.

Toribiong states that Ngiraiwet was not provided the proposed second resolution in advance and was not given adequate time to obtain counsel and prepare a defense. He says her counsel was notified only a few hours before the evening legislative session at which the resolution was considered and that the resolution was adopted within 12 hours after the appellate opinion was served.

The attorney contends that because the first removal resolution was declared void and the special election contemplated to fill the resulting vacancy did not take place, there is currently no judicial order authorizing Miozawa, either as speaker or as a purported acting governor, to prevent Ngiraiwet from exercising the powers and functions of the governor’s office.

The letter specifically alleges that communications attributed to Miozawa have resulted in the Bank of Hawaii refusing to honor checks issued by Ngiraiwet and gas stations refusing to provide fuel for Ngardmau state government vehicles. Toribiong says such actions interfere directly with the operation of state government by potentially affecting its ability to pay employees and officers, meet governmental obligations, obtain necessary goods and services, operate state vehicles and conduct routine government business.

Toribiong demands that Miozawa immediately cease representing or acting as though he has authority to displace Ngiraiwet; stop directing financial institutions to reject checks or other payments authorized by the governor; and stop directing vendors or gas stations to withhold fuel, goods, services or other necessities based on claims that Ngiraiwet lacks authority.

The letter also asks Miozawa to notify the Bank of Hawaii and vendors that no court order has been issued directing them to reject state payments or disregard Ngiraiwet’s official acts.

Toribiong warns that continued interference could expose Miozawa and anyone acting with him to civil liability for damages caused by disruption or prevention of lawful government payments and operations. The letter also reserves Ngiraiwet’s rights to seek immediate judicial relief and other remedies.

Island Times has not yet reached Miozawa for his response to the allegations and demands contained in the letter. His response will be reported when available.