By: Laurel Marewibuel (KOROR, Palau) Palau is taking early steps toward strengthening its role in regional and global connectivity following a recent meeting between the Senate Committee on Cybersecurity, Telecommunications and Technology and a visiting delegation from the School of Internet (SOI) Pacific Initiative Planning and Coordinating Team. The visit marks an initial effort to […]
Tag: Palau Senate
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Senate Rejects Elite Visa Bill After House Adds More Than $8 Million in Budget Riders
Lawmakers call for supplemental budget review, say appropriations deserve separate scrutiny By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau — “It is our duty as elected representatives to properly scrutinize and address any budget appropriation, rather than just rubber stamp a bill,” Sen. Seigfried Nakamura said as the Senate voted to reject a House-amended version of the Elite […]
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Palau Senate Rejects Elite Visa Bill Over House Budget Riders
Senators oppose multimillion-dollar amendments tied to the Elite Visa bill, triggering conference committee negotiations. By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang Ngerulmud, Palau (May 11, 2026) – The Senate unanimously rejected the long-awaited Senate Bill No. 12-41 HD3, which sought to modernize Palau’s elite residency visa program, citing concerns over rider amendments imposed by the House of Delegates […]
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Uherbelau Approved as Palau Envoy to Taiwan in Unanimous Senate Vote
Lawmakers cite public health leadership and international experience By: L.N. Reklai NGERULMUD, Palau (April 23, 2026) — The Palau Senate has unanimously confirmed President Surangel S. Whipps Jr.’s appointment of Gaafar J. Uherbelau as ambassador to the Republic of China (Taiwan). Gaafar Uherbelau, President’s appointee to post of Ambassador to Taiwan, received full confirmation from […]
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Lawmakers Debate Expanding Senate Power Over Key Justice Posts
Proposed bill adds Attorney General, Public Safety director to confirmation list By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang NGERULMUD, Palau (April 23, 2026) — A Senate bill introduced this week would require legislative confirmation for two of the government’s most powerful law enforcement and legal posts, a change supporters say would strengthen oversight but critics warn could inject […]
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Palau Senate Bill Revives 30-Year Retirement Eligibility for Public Workers
Measure allows early retirement with reduced benefits, includes 25-year option for high-risk public safety roles By: Eoghan Olkeriil Ngirudelsang NGERULMUD, Palau (April 2, 2026) – A bill to re-establish the 30 years’ service as a retirement eligibility threshold and 25 years for ‘strenuous public safety positions’ despite the 60 years retirement age requirement was introduced […]