A petition is being circulated urging the incoming administration of President-elect Surangel Whipps Jr. to reappoint Health Minister Emais Roberts to the Ministry.
“We, the undersigned, requests the incoming Administration, OEK leaders, and the President-elect transition committee to consider Dr. Emais Roberts to continue as Minister of Health for the next four years,” the petition read.
It not known who started the petition and how many signatures it had gathered since it was launched, however, Minister Roberts in his Facebook post said he did not endorse the signature campaign.
“It has come to my attention that a petition is being circulated for signatures to support a request for me to remain the Minister of Health in the new government. Let it be clear. I do not endorse such petition,” he said.
He stressed that President-elect Whipps should freely choose his administration’s ministers.
“With all due respect, we must allow the President-Elect and his supporting team to freely choose the new minister to fulfill his campaign vision of Time for a change to improve services to us all. There are many more capable persons for the post and we must accept and support his choice,” Dr. Roberts added.
Minister Roberts also thanked his ministry staff for the support given to him as a minister.
Dr. Roberts has been described in the petition as a positive leader who can work with anyone in the ministry.
Minister Roberts has been hailed as leading the ministry in keeping Palau COVID-free.