Overview:
Ngardmau’s legislature has passed a second impeachment resolution against Gov. Jennifer Ngiraiwet, just days after the Palau Appellate Court voided the first impeachment and cancelled a special election for governor. The second resolution repeats allegations of bribery and personal enrichment, while questions remain over whether Ngiraiwet was given the notice and opportunity to be heard required under the court’s ruling.
Move comes days after Appellate Court voided first impeachment and cancelled special election
By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang
Ngardmau, Palau (September 21, 2026) The 11th Kelulul Ngardmau (Ngardmau Legislature) has passed a second resolution of impeachment in an attempt to remove Governor Jennifer Ngiraiwet from office, marking the second such effort against the state’s chief executive.
According to witnesses, the move came shortly after the Supreme Court Appellate Division voided the first impeachment and remanded the case to the trial division for further proceedings on any pending or new motions. Sources say that during a status conference on the afternoon of September 16, Kelulul Ngardmau’s attorney James Kennedy informed the court that the Kelulul Ngardmau would convene that same night to impeach Governor Ngiraiwet again.
Word of the announcement quickly spread through the Ngardmau community, drawing residents to observe the legislative session later that evening, witnesses said. About 20 or more community members watched the session from the legislature’s gallery according to one witness. The same seven legislators who approved the first impeachment resolution voted again to remove Governor Ngiraiwet with a second impeachment resolution citing identical accusations of bribery and personal enrichment, sources added.
Of the seven legislators, Albert Ngirmekur, Renguul Masahiro, Diana Smau, Akiko Udui, Neil Fisher, and Speaker Terrence Miozawa voted “Yes,” while legislator Willard Kumangai abstained, totalling seven votes to impeach Ngiraiwet for a second time, sources said.
Legal Questions Over Notice and Due Process
The Appellate Division previously ruled the first impeachment void due to violations of the fair treatment clause during legislative investigations, stating that the Kelulul Ngardmau should have given notice to inform the subject of impeachment “that the legislature may take action to remove him or her and knowledge of when that may occur.”
Sources close to the governor said no formal notice of the impeachment, its specific accusations, the session schedule, or an invitation to be heard was provided to Governor Ngiraiwet by the 11th Kelulul Ngardmau before the session in which the second impeachment resolution was passed.
An older Ngardmau resident who supports the legislature’s action commented that the oral announcement by Kelulul Ngardmau’s attorney in court was sufficient notice of the second impeachment, hinting at further controversy if the impeachment effort is pursued.
Officials Unavailable for Comment
Island Times yesterday, Monday attempted to reach the Kelulul Ngardmau legislature for comments on its future efforts regarding the second impeachment resolution. With no legislative staff present at the office throughout the day, no comments were obtained for this article.
Island Times also contacted the Palau Election Commission (PEC) to inquire whether it would act on Ngardmau’s second impeachment resolution. However, PEC Executive Director Sherwin Yamaguchi was not at the office and was unavailable to comment on the matter.
Governor Ngiraiwet and Speaker Miozawa were the candidates scheduled to face off in a special election to determine Ngardmau’s governorship, with the PEC having prepared ballots and announced polling places. However, that election was cancelled two days before its September 18 scheduled date following the Appellate Court’s judgment that ruled the impeachment void and the governor’s office not vacant.
Community Reaction
Over the weekend, the ruling and the status of the Ngardmau governorship sparked heated debates on social media forums, with some residents calling for unity and respect for the court’s decision, while others passionately defended the governor’s actions or the legislature.
This is an ongoing story, and Island Times will provide updates as more information becomes available.