Dear Editor: In the book, “Leadership in the Pacific islands: tradition and the future” Edited by Donald R. Shuster, Peter Larmour and Karin von Strokirch, Ngiraked Roman Tmetuchel shares that the traditional bai of Palau was more than a meeting house. It was the heart of leadership, a place where chiefs gathered to deliberate, debate, […]
Tag: Olbiil Era Kelulau
House Leadership Overturned; Gulibert Named New Speaker
By: L.N. Reklai NGERULMUD, Palau (October 5, 2026) In an unexpected move Monday, the Palau House of Delegates overturned its leadership, replacing Delegate Gibson Kanai of Ngaraard as speaker with Delegate Mario Gulibert of Angaur. Gulibert, who had served as vice speaker, was appointed speaker under House Resolution 12-12-7S. Delegate Timothy Sinsak of Ngarchelong became […]
Palau bill seeks same-day counting of absentee ballots
By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau — (Sept. 21, 2026) A bill passed by the House of Delegates would require absentee ballots to be received and counted on the same day as the general election, ending the current provision that allows qualifying absentee ballots to be received and counted after Election Day. House Bill 12-42-5, HD1 […]
House proposes FY 2027 continuing budget as Oct. 1 deadline nears
By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau — Palau could enter another continuing budget period this year after the House of Delegates proposed temporary funding for the first three months of fiscal year 2027, despite having received the Senate version of the annual budget on Aug. 21. House Bill 12-52-75, introduced Sept. 11, would authorize continuing budget […]
Palau leaders’ travel plans draw questions as 2027 budget remains pending
By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau – With Palau’s Independence Day celebrations in Guam approaching and the Asia Pacific Association for Fiduciary Studies (APAFS) conference scheduled for November, a number of Palau’s elected leaders and government representatives are expected to travel to Guam and the Philippines. The travel comes as Palau’s 2027 national budget remains under […]
Taxing the People, Forgetting the Principles
Dear Editor, Economic development has become the obsession of governments worldwide. Leaders talk endlessly about GDP growth, foreign investment, and infrastructure projects. Yet the people who make up the foundation of the economy, ordinary families, are left struggling to make ends meet. This is not just an executive problem. It is a leadership problem, and […]
