By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang

KOROR, Palau – House of Delegates Speaker Sabino Anastacio has reinstated Delegate Swenny Ongidobel of Ngeremlengui as chair of the House Committee on Commerce and Trade, just 74 days before the end of this OEK’s term.

Ongidobel was removed from the position on February 27, 2023, under House Resolution 11-12-10S, which reassigned his committee duties to Delegate Lee Otobed of Ngatpang. The resolution also renamed Otobed’s committee from the Committee on Community, Planning, Commerce, and Development to the Committee on Community, Planning, Commerce, Economy, and Development.

The removal of Ongidobel followed concerns from Speaker Anastacio that Ongidobel was colluding with other delegates to challenge his speakership. As a result, Speaker Anastacio, along with Vice Speaker Lucio Ngiraiwet and Floor Leader Gibson Kanai, introduced a resolution to strip Ongidobel of his chairmanship and merge his committee with Otobed’s.

During the House session on February 27, Speaker Anastacio claimed, “Everybody knows that for the last two years, the delegate of Ngeremlengui has been trying to reorganize this House,” adding that Ongidobel “does not respect the majority’s wish regarding the House’s organization.” He continued, “Let us not do monkey business in this house… let us respect each other and play as a team.”

Now, the same three House officers have introduced a new resolution to reinstate Ongidobel. House Resolution 11-15-17S, which restores Ongidobel’s committee and chairmanship, was adopted yesterday, prompting speculation just weeks before the next general election.

Some members of the public believe the reinstatement may give Ongidobel access to constituency funds to use in the upcoming election in exchange for his support of Speaker Anastacio. Others speculate that, with many new candidates expected to win seats, Speaker Anastacio is extending an olive branch to Ongidobel to secure his support for the upcoming bid for the speakership in the 12th House of Delegates.