Associate Justice John K. Rechucher is appointed Acting Chief Justice by President Tommy Remengesau Jr. to carry out the duties of Chief Justice until Chief Justice ArthurNgiraklsong can resume his duties.
An appointment letter issued to Associate Justice Rechucher last Friday states, “While Chief Justice Ngiraklsong recovers it is my solemn duty, pursuant to Article 10, Section III of the Constitution of the Republic of Palau, to appoint an Acting Chief Justice. With this letter I hereby appoint you to that position, active immediately.”
Article 10, Section III of the Palau Constitution states that if Chief Justice is unable to perform his duties, he will appoint an Associate Justice to act in his place but if he fails to appoint an Acting Chief Justice, President will appoint the Acting Chief Justice until Chief Justice is able to resume his duties.
On November 13, Chief Justice Arthur Ngiraklsong suffered a stroke after a game of tennis and was airlifted to Taiwan for urgent care. Reports received said he was recovering well but it is not known how long the recovery will take.
“Fortunately, it sounds as though he is recovering rapidly, and I hope he will be back with us in Palau very soon. In the meantime, we are reassured to know that our Judiciary is carrying on its important work in his absence,” added Remengesau in his letter.
Associate Justice John K. Rechucher was sworn-in as an Associate Justice of the Palau Supreme Court – Appellate Division on October 28, 2016. Prior to assuming the position of an Associate Justice, Rechucher was in private law practice for over 40 years. (By L.N. Reklai)