Overview:
President Surangel Whipps Jr. has resubmitted the nominations of former ministers Kaleb Udui Jr. and Dr. Dale Jenkins, along with former Ambassador Dave Orrukem, urging the Senate to act on confirmations that have stalled despite repeated submissions.
By: L.N. Reklai
NGERULMUD, Palau (January 16, 2026)— President Surangel Whipps Jr. has resubmitted the names of former ministers and a former ambassador to the Senate, renewing nominations that previously failed to secure enough votes or lapsed without final action.
Whipps renominated Kaleb Udui Jr. to serve as minister of finance and Dr. Dale Jenkins as minister of education. He also resubmitted the nomination of Dave Orrukem as Palau’s ambassador to the Republic of China (Taiwan).
Udui and Jenkins were each nominated previously but did not receive the votes needed for confirmation. Following those failed attempts, Udui was hired as director of Budget and Planning, while Jenkins was appointed special adviser to the president on education matters.
In resubmitting Jenkins’ nomination, Whipps said completing the confirmation process is critical to providing stable leadership at the Ministry of Education.
“At this stage, it is important that the confirmation process be brought to completion so that the Ministry of Education may move forward with clear and stable leadership,” Whipps said. He added that while education reform involves difficult choices and differing views, the Senate’s decision should center on whether the nominee has the qualifications and experience to lead the ministry.
Whipps, in renominating Udui for a third time, criticized what he described as repeated Senate inaction on executive appointments.
“Allowing executive nominations to lapse without a vote, repeatedly and without resolution, undermines the constitutional advice-and-consent process itself,” he said, calling confirmation an affirmative responsibility that should be resolved through a timely up-or-down vote.
He said the Ministry of Finance plays a central role in fiscal stability, external negotiations, budget execution and public confidence, adding that prolonged uncertainty in its leadership does not serve the public interest.
Orrukem’s initial nomination as ambassador to Taiwan during Whipps’ second term failed to gain enough votes. A subsequent resubmission was returned to the president with the explanation that the Senate had already conducted a thorough vetting and that its conclusions had not changed.