New law targets drug abuse, strengthens accountability and funds rehabilitation efforts By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau – (May 7, 2026) President Surangel Whipps Jr. has signed into law a sweeping anti-drug measure that strengthens penalties for illegal drug offenses and creates tougher accountability standards for law enforcement officers involved with drugs. The legislation, RPPL 12-5, […]
Tag: Surangel Whipps Jr.
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Melairei Pushes Back on Whipps’ Plan to Amend Infrastructure Fund Law
Senator calls legislative approval a “vital check and balance” under Compact agreement By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (March 31, 2026) — “Eliminating the requirement for specific legislative appropriation risks institutionalizing a lack of transparency,” Sen. Brian Melairei warned, urging lawmakers to reject President Surangel Whipps Jr.’s proposal to remove congressional approval for infrastructure fund spending. […]
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Whipps said he supports restoring utility subsidies to mitigate high costs
By: L.N. Reklai “These subsidies were meant for times such as this, when there is a real need,” said President Surangel Whipps Jr. in response to a question about whether he would support the Senate bill that proposed to restore the power utility subsidies that he cut from the FY 2026 Unified Budget. The ongoing […]
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Palau Pushes Tech-Based Ocean Protection at Global Summit
Whipps to call for stronger Pacific partnerships ahead of Forum and COP31 KOROR, Palau (March 5, 2026) — Palau President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. spoke at the 13th World Ocean Summit in Montreal, highlighting how science and technology can help small island nations strengthen ocean stewardship and secure their vast exclusive economic zones. The summit, […]
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Palau Disburses $2.6M in Tax Refunds to 4,481 Citizens Under 2021 Tax Reform
By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (Feb. 25, 2026) — The government has disbursed nearly $2.6 million in tax refunds to thousands of Palauan citizens, marking one of the most visible returns from the nation’s 2021 tax reform law. According to the Bureau of Revenue and Taxation, 4,481 tax refund checks totaling $2,581,084 were processed and […]
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National Security staff authorized to act as police under new presidential order
By: L.N. Reklai KOROR, Palau (Feb. 24, 2026) — President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. has issued a directive giving the National Security Coordinator and staff the authority to act as law enforcement officers, saying the move is needed to strengthen Palau’s ability to fight money laundering, transnational crime and foreign interference. Palau National Security Coordinator […]