KOROR, Palau — President Surangel Whipps Jr. issued two presidential directives in July to raise the salaries of the Special Prosecutor to $125,000 and the Public Auditor to $100,000.
These directives implement Sections 28 and 29 of the RPPL 11-34 Supplemental Budget of 2024, which became law on June 5.
The law authorizes the president to raise the salaries of the Special Prosecutor and the Public Auditor within 60 days after its enactment. The law does not cap the salaries, leaving the amounts to the president’s discretion. Once set, these salaries apply to all future Special Prosecutors and Public Auditors and can only be increased or reduced by law.
When former Special Prosecutor April Dawn Cripps left office in July 2023, the position remained vacant for over six months due to a lack of applicants. Attorney General Ernestine Rengiil said the salary offered was too low to attract candidates.