By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang
Ngerulmud, Palau – Yesterday at 2pm during a reconsideration vote, the Senate voted to confirm, in essence approving the presidential re-appointment of Charles Iyar Obichang to continue serving as Minister of Public Infrastructure and Industries (MPII). Obichang garnered votes of 14 “yes” and 1 “No” from the senators who were all in attendance at yesterday’s 24th day of their first regular session.
Senate’s resolution 12-7 to confirm the re-appointment of Obichang to his previous post as minister of MPII was initially considered on the 8th day of the Senate’s first regular session on February 4th. Obichang managed then to get from the senators only 9 votes of approval while 6 senators voted to reject his re-appointment. Senator Inabo, in that Feb. 4th session proposed a motion to re-consider Obichang’s reappointment for which President Baules schedule to be voted upon during the next Senate session.
Per Law, 2/3 of the senate’s vote of approval is required to confirm a presidential appointment to ministerial positions. Given that there are currently 15 senators, a minimum of 10 votes must be received to secure a ministerial post. However, according to the senate’s rules and regulations, 9 votes of confidence can elicit a motion for consideration from any senator.
Given that Obichang initially received 9 votes, a motion to reconsider his re-appointment was scheduled for today which was successfully approved. Obichang who will serve another 4 years as minister of MPII has been in this post since 2013.
Currently, only the Ministries of Education, Justice and Finance are without ministers. President Whipps has not named his appointee to the Minister of Justice post while his re-appointment of Dr. Dale Jenkins as Minister of Education and Caleb Udui Jr. as Minister of Finance are still awaiting the Senate’s confirmation. Whipps’ proposal to create the new Ministry of Interior is also still being considered by the congress.