Oct. 20-27, 2008 #12

Salvador Remoket Nature’s fury letting loose heavy rain and strong wind on Saturday afternoon, October 25th, did not even prevent nor dissuade supporters of Salvador Remoket at a rally held at Urung pier to the west of Ngebuked County.

Close to over 100 people from all five counties of Ngaraard gathered to give support to Remoket’s bid for the House of Delegates’ seat representing Ngaraard at the Olbiil Era Kelulau. Campaign supporters fed the gathering with about 400 pounds of pig, three huge turtles, barbeque chicken pieces in addition to assorted drinks and donations from other candidates who joined the gatherings. Jeff Matul was the designated Master of Ceremony and a little passed 12 noon

Urung Pier as seen from the Compact Road and rally crowd below

FURY… (Cont. on page 4)

Palau Election Commission learned after receiving the final ballots from Guam last week that an error occurred for Ngchesar ballots on the numbers designated for candidates to the House of Delegates. “We simply overlooked the error and there is no excuse,” said Ms. Maria Decherong, “and we apologize to the public, especially to the people of Ngchesar.” PEC ERRED... (Continued on page 3)

The funeral of Teruko Franz Kingya, the woman who was murdered on October 11th allegedly by her grandson, was held last Saturday, October 25th, at Ngaremlengui State. The body of Teruko was bought to the state and stopped at her residence before being

brought to the old age building where relatives and friends were gathered. According to relatives who attended the funeral, the family lineage of Teruko were not seeing eye-to-eye and gathered on separate FUNERAL… (Cont. on page 6)

PEC erroneously switched Sirino’s name which was designated the number 1 with Secilil’s name that was numbered at 6

I COME TO YOU TO ASK FOR YOUR VOTE AND CONFIDENCE If elected, I will do the following: 1. Meet with the people every three months between sessions of OEK to report and hear concerns of people on legislations and issues before OEK as well as activities and programs of government. 2. One staff to be at state office during working hours to report on OEK work and receive complaints, comments, and concerns of people about government services. 3. Issue a monthly written report to the people about performance and functions of OEK and government. 4. Work with chiefs and councilmen to promote traditional values and customs and to improve relations between Ngchesar and other states and organizations within and outside of Palau.

The people of Ngchesar deserve to know and express their views on issues to be enacted by Congress POSITIONS & JOBS HELD • • • • • • • •

Member (Idid) Koror Municipal Council (1972-74) Founder, Save Palau Foundation Organization (1974) Trial Counselor, Micronesian Legal Serv. Corp. 1974-76) Administrative Officer for Koror Mayor (1976-77) Chairman, Koror Planning Commission (1976-78) Clerk, House of Chiefs (OEK - 1978-79) Founder & Publisher of Tia Belau & Meluich (1978-present) Member 7th Palau Legislature (1980) Roureur Belau

• • • • • • •

Chief IYECHAD of Ngeraus, Ngchesar (1980-present) OEK Senator (Koror - 1981-84) Chief NGIRMANG of Melekeok (1983-present) Governor of Ngchesar for two terms (1987-94) Chairman, Palau Master Plan Task Force (1990-93) Chief RBANGELAB of Ngerwikl, Ngchesar (1994-present) Chairman, Palau Conservation Society (2005-08)

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(For immediate release - October 2, 2008 - Airai, Palau) The Palau National Communications Corporation (PNCC) has announced the effective dates of several rates and services, as approved by the PNCC Board of Directors. The details of the proposed changes, contained in Tariff Advice #6, were announced in a public notice starting May 21, 2008 and a public hearing was held on July 4, 2008 at the Koror State Assembly Hall. The PNCC Tariff is the official document that contains the description of all PNCC rates and services. A fixed line telephone rate increase of 10% will be effective Jan 1, 2009; long distance rate changes have been deferred; and all other items included in Tariff Advice #6 are effective October 1, 2008. The main changes in effect as of October 1, 2008 include: Local Telephone Services • Reduction in fixed line voice mail rate from $3.95 per month to $2.95 per month. • Establishment of optional Hunt Services rate at $2.00 per line per month. This service helps businesses route incoming calls among a group of telephone numbers so more calls can be answered (instead of getting busy signals). Internet and Data Services • New condition for DSL Internet Resale service requiring a minimum of 5 computer units Digital TV Services • Establishment of a new DTV Broadcast connectivity service at $287.00 per month plus associated installation and termination charges. Local Telephone Services Effective January 1, 2009. The only rate increase approved by the PNCC Board of Directors is a 10% increase for Residential and Business/ Government Fixed Line Telephone Services which will be effective January 1, 2009, as follows: • Residential Fixed Line Telephone Service: $12.10 per month per line • Business/Government Fixed Line Telephone Service: $24.20 per month per line • Installation fee ($22.00), reconnection and change number fees ($6.05) and transfer line fee

($12.10) • Removal of charges for fixed line telephone extensions • Deregulation of inside wiring: customers will maintain their own telephone wiring and equipment • Introduction of the optional Inside Wiring Maintenance Plan at $3 per telephone line per month (for customers who want PNCC to maintain and repair their inside wiring). Local fixed line rates have not been increased since 1994, yet the actual cost of providing a local residential PNCC TARIFF… (Continued on page 9)

(Continued from page 1) ...PEC ERRED

According to PEC, 17,000 copies of the Ballots were printed in Guam by Victoria Printing Company. “However, with the oversight to Ngchesar ballots,” said Ms. Decherong, “they were immediately taken off the shelf and corrections were made with the printing company.” PEC stated that over 700 ballots for Ngchesar were ordered from the company which cost the Republic of Palau over $500.00 and have arrived. Ngchesar State has the most candidates for the House of Delegates since the inception of Palau’s Government with Sirino Hideo (#1), Bonifacio Basilius (#2), Marchello Ngirkelau (#3), Zacheus Kotaro (#4), Moses Uludong (#5), and Secilil Eldebechel (#6). The error made to the ballot for Ngchesar slip-up was on the name numbering switching candidate number one with candidate number sixth. All ballots are basically the same with candidates for President and Senators listed accordingly but because of candidates to the House of Delegates representing each of the 16 states, each state must have their own ballot listing the names of candidates below the names of the Presidential/Vice Presidential candidates on the left column of the ballot. The overall printing cost for the 17,000 Coded Stock Ballots, a according to information provided by PEC, cost the Republic about $35,970.00 with breakdown as follows: printing of ballots ($1,530); freight ($1,190); ballot coding ($3,200); and freight again ($400) including supplies of 20 steel ballot boxes ($1,560); 25 voting booths ($6,750); freight ($3,500) with hardware materials ($8,840); and international site support ($9,000). The 22 amendments proposed by members of the Second Constitutional Convention in 2005 will also be voted for during the General Election. “However, the counting on the amendments,” said Borja, “will be done manually and not by the counting machine.” PEC said that the specimen for the amendments was design by the 2nd Con-Con and given to their office. The 23rd amendment to the Constitution passed and adopted by the Olbiil Era Kelulau, according to PEC, will be a separate ballot sheet from the 22 amendments. “At the same time,” same Ms. Decherong, “we urge voters to place on a piece of paper their choice of amendments as well as the candidates of their choice when they cast their votes at the voting booths to speed up the process.” For the 2008 General Election, registered voters listed are 14,305 compared to voters cast in the Primary Election at 9,295 or 66%, according to PEC representative. Official results of the November 2, 2004 Seventh General Election certified by PEC listed 13,191 registered voters with 9,996 who cast their votes. “Palau residents’ voting place in Guam will take place at Astumbo Senior Citizens building while Saipan’s Palauan voters will go to Marianas High School to cast their votes with Honolulu voting place at Hawaii Convention Center close to Ala Moana Shopping Center,” said Palau Election Commission’s office.

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(Cont. from page 1) FURY…

the speakers blared out loud to the sound of the music’s band. The ceremony started with a short opening prayer by John Ryholt Ngiratiou followed by Candidate Remoket to highlight the event. Twenty minutes onto the speech, the rain pummeled down hard on the tents swept by the wind drenching half of the people inside the tent cutting the speech short until the downpour subsided. Continuing 30 minutes later where he was cut short by Nature’s fury, Remoket laid out his plan focusing on the agricultural aspect of improving life of the people of Ngaraard. “The best prospect Ngaraard can expect in order to boost its economy is to develop its agriculture,” announced Remoket, “it is not tourism”. “Right now Palau imports tapioca starch from

Singapore,” said Remoket, “of which it has one of the lowest grade soil within the Asian neighborhood.” Remoket proposed to tie in with his Asian business compatriots to lend up at the minimum about $5,000 per person to develop farming land to grow tapioca and sell the produce back to Asian companies. “If Ngaraard has the best land to farm tapiocas,” inquired Remoket to the audience, “why buy starch made out of tapioca from a country like Singapore which has and inferior soil compared to Ngaraard.” However, Remoket reiterated that for any project and/or development to have an effect in the state, Ngaraard leaders from the Delegate to the Governor, Legislature members, and Traditional Chiefs including the people must work hand-inhand to achieve their goals. “If I am elected as your Roureur Belau

Delegate to the House of Delegates of the Olbiil Era Kelulau,” promised Remoket, “I will find ways to work with whoever is Governor, Speaker of Olbetibel, and Traditional Leaders of Ngaraard State.” NATUE’S FURY… (Continued on page 9)

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With one week to the finish line on November 4th, campaigning through billboards, the media, house-to-house, b-b-q dinners, rallies as well as one-on-one and face-to-face to secure that one vote has increased potentially with candidates standing on the side of the road waving to motorist rain or shine and sneaking through residential areas close to being bitten by guard dogs thus intruding on family dinners and/or gatherings soliciting support striving to stay ahead of opponents not only to the Presidential post but the Olbiil Era Kelulau as well. On top of it all, former members of the Second Constitutional Convention are also educating the public on the 22 Constitutional Amendment proposals that will be included in the voting process come General Election. The 23rd proposed amendment adopted by the Olbiil Era Kelulau will also be voted on by the public, however it seems that the OEK somehow forgot to include educating the public on the new proposal. Along the residential areas in Iouldaob, Koror, and Babeldaob, Senate candidates are seen visiting each house. Some are seen with sticks to deter dogs from attacking and brochures, posters, and campaign biz cards are distributed to constituents. “Amazing to see politicians changing clothes from three piece suits to short pants and t-shirts with slippers to give that look of ‘chebuul’ person,” stated one individual in a coffee shop at Did-Ra-Ngmatel, “pleading for our votes.” The person goes on saying that while politicians beg for our votes they fail to see our needs and the pitiful conditions we live in. ‘I hope that those who win this election,” one person voiced out, “will continue to visit us at least once a month to better make decisions for the good of us all.” On Friday afternoon, October 24th, Toribiong/Mariur Team

Mrs. Alexander for her husband (left) and Candidate Ngotel for himself!

Billboards at Ngiwal on Compact Road toward Ngaraard State with Imekang area to the right

(Continued on page 6)

Turnpoint to Babeldaob at Airai’s KB Gas Station

Road from Compact Road to Ngkeklau County in Ngaraard

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“Sansaro” at Ngermid crossroad in Koror State

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E RUNGALK KE REMURT EL MOR?

AKKKIII

Vice President Chin & supporters at Did-Ra-Ngmatel Monday evening. (Continued from page 5)

held their rally dubbed as United Nations Rally on the hills of Ngchesar State. It was crowded with supporters and friends with other candidates donating in-kind to gain the team’s supporters’ votes. Candidate to Ngaraard Delegate Salvador Remoket on the next day held his rally at the state’s pier to the west at Urung area next to the Compact Road while Chin/Seid team was said to have had their rally at Imekang area in Ngiwal on Sunday afternoon, October 26th with Ngaremlengui aspirant to the House of Delegate Swenny Ongidobel gathering supporters from his state also on Sunday afternoon. For the next week until the General Election, Palauan voters will be visited for the hundredth times and promises will be made to gain that one vote. “However,” said another coffee drinker at Donut House, “let’s hope our people will vote smart for those who will definitely help us once they are voted as President, Vice President, and members of the Olbiil Era Kelulau at the Senate and the HOD.”

Jeff Ngirarsaol with supporter Gustav Aitaro (above) and Mark Rudimch’s supporters (left) in front of Bem Ermii waving to motorists returning home from work on Monday evening!

Candidates Toribiong/Kerai with their wives also on the side of the road Monday evening!

(Cont. from page 1) … FUNERAL

areas… “el mengudel a udoud ra kemeldiil”… to the surprise of many who showed up for the memorial services. During the “omeluosch” part of the “kemeldiil”, Nature let loose her fury with strong winds and heavy rain that soaked the land that one old man at the funeral “a ulemlaoch el kmo” it was Teruko’s way of showing her sadness to her family’s action of fighting each other instead of letting bygones be bygones during the lose of one’s family member. Teruko’s body was laid to rest at the end of the day during the heavy downpour. Roureur Belau

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A visitor from Japan enjoying the rock islands of Koror was reported to have drown on the morning of October 17th at Ngchelobel Rock Island or better known as Inoki Island to many tour agencies in the Republic of Palau. The victim’s name was Hideo Yamamura, according to the Bureau of Public Safety and he was pronounced death around noon that same day. Reports say that the victim and his wife along with friends went snorkeling at a waterway channel close to the island on Friday morning. At the scheduled time they were instructed to return to the boat, Mrs. Yamamura discovered her husband was missing. Mr. Yamamura was found floating when an immediate search was conducted. Although CPR was performed on the victim while he was transported to Koror, it was way too late and therefore his death was pronounced a few minutes after arrival at the hospital. Mr. Yamamura was in his late 60’s and his body was transported to Japan on October 20th.

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THE SENATE 1.

Raynold Arnold Oilouch

2.

Mark U. Rudimch

3.

Regina K. Mesebeluu

4.

Masayuki Adelbai

5.

Santy S. Asanuma

6.

Haruo Ngiraked Wilter

7.

Mlib Tmetuchel

8.

Gale N. Ngirmidol

9.

Masa-Aki N. Emesiochel

10. Joan Hinang Demei

Kayangel State: 1. Noah Kemesong 2. Jeffrey Titiml 1. 2. 3. 4.

13. Jeff Ngirarsaol 14. Paul W. Ueki 15. Tadashi Sakuma 16. Martin N. Renguul 17. Elia Tulop 18. Ngirataoch Nick Ngwal 19. Tommy Esang Remengesau, Jr. 20. Adair Sumang 21. James Unique Orak 22. Roman Yano 23. Tadao Ngotel 24. Elbuchel Sadang 25. Joel Toribiong 26. Otoichi Besebes 27. John B. Skebong 28. Mario Katosang 29. Yukiwo P. Dengokl 30. Hokkons Baules 31. Fritz Koshiba 32. Alfonso N. Diaz 33. Dwight G. Alexander 34. Regis Akitaya 35. J. “Risong” Tarkong 36. Ernest Ongidobel 37. Caleb Otto 38. Lorenza Olkeriil 39. Kathy Kesolei 40. Jennifer Y. Sugiyama-Yano 41. Dilmei L. Olkeriil 42. Steven Kanai 43. Gillian Johannes

Yes

No

Ngerchelong State: Don Bukurrow Faustina R. Marugg Dilmai Saiske Marhence Madrangchar

Ngiwal State: 1. Francis Llecholch 2. Krispin Termeteet 3. Noah Idechong 1. 2. 3. 4.

Melekeok State: Lancer Basilius F. Kazuo Asanuma Teodoro Rengulbai Danny Ongelungel

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Ngchesar State: Sirino Hideo Bonifacio Basilius Marcello Ngirkelau Zacheus Kotaro Moses Uludong Secilil Eldebechel

1.

Eligibility to hold office of President and Vice President

2.

President and Vice President to be elected separately

3.

Date and time of inauguration of President and Vice President-Elect

4.

To provide for trial by jury

5.

Eligibility to hold office of the Olbiil Era Kelulau

6.

Compensation for Olbiil Era Kelulau members

7.

To set installation date for Olbiil Era Kelulau members

8.

To repeal term limit for Olbiil Era Kelulau members

9.

To separate Appellate Division and Trial Division Justices

10. Effective date for amendments to the Constitutions 11. To guarantee academic freedom 12. Defining citizenship and multiple citizenship 13. Naturalization of adopted child

Airai State: 1. Noah Secharraimul 2. Tmewang Rengulbai

14. Voting by absentee ballot 15. Foreign ownership of land for diplomatic purposes

Aimeliik State: 1. Warren Umetaro 2. Kalistus Ngirturong

16. Lease land for up to 99 years 17. National government to assist traditional leaders in preservation, protection, and promotion of Palauan heritage, culture, languages, customs and tradition

Ngatpang State: 1. Jeffrey Nabeyama 2. Valentino Emesiochel

18. To ban same sex marriage

Ngaremlengui State: 1. Alonzo Kyota 2. Portia Franz 3. Swenny Ongidobel

19. Free and compulsory education for grades one (1) to twelve (12) 20. Preventive health care as fundamental right

Ngardmau State: 1. Balkuu Kumangai 2. Rebluud Kesolei

21. Palauan language to be prevailing language of Constitution 22. The territorial jurisdiction

Koror State: 1. Hilario Ngiraidong 2. Alexander Merep 3. Salvador Tellames

23. The Judicial Nominating Committee shall consist of seven (7) members, all of whom shall be citizens of the Republic of Palau, as defined by Article III of the Constitution of the Republic of Palau. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court shall be one of the seven (7) members and shall act as Chairman. The Bar Association shall elect three (3) of its citizen-members to serve on the Judicial Nominating Commission and the President shall appoint three (3) citizens who are not members of the Bar. The Judicial Nominating Commission shall meet upon the call of the Chairman and prepare and submit to the President a list of seven (7) nominees for the positions of justice and judge. A new list shall be submitted every year.

Peleliu State: 1. Jonathan Cio Isechal Angaur State: 1. Horace Rafael 2. Natus Misch Sonsorol State: 1. Marcellino Xavier 2. Edwin Mario Hatohobei State: 1. Sebastian Marino 2. Huan Hosei 3. Wayne Andrew Roureur Belau

Johnson Toribiong & Kerai Mariur Elias Camsek Chin & Alan Rechuldak Seid 22 PROPOSSED AMENDMENTS

Ngaraard State: 1. Salvador Remoket 2. Gibson Kanai

11. Adalbert Eledui 12. Temmy L. Shmull

1. 2.

HOUSE OF DELEGATES

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Form designed by Roureur Belau

Based on Palau Election Commission Office, voters are allowed to indicate on a piece of paper their choice of candidates and choice of amendments and bring with them the piece of paper to the booth when ready to vote but must discard it afterwards. You may use this form!

OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT

Members of the newly established Palauan community in Iowa in middle USA has sent a petition to the Palau Government asking for a ballot box to be brought to them for voting in November. The number of Palauans recruited to work in a meat packing company in rural Iowa, has risen to nearly 200 in the last two months and is expected to reach 300. Due to depressed economy resulting in low wages and lack of good jobs in the country, Palauans are leaving in throngs for the first time in history to seek economic survival outside the country. The Palauans that left to Iowa are no different than the over 5,000 foreign workers in Palau today who escaped from the economic plight and poverty of their countries in Asia, mainly the Philippines and Bangladesh. Many Palauans in Saipan left to seek better opportunities in Guam and the US now that CNMI is experiencing the worst economic downfall ever while those still on the island are barely surviving. “What opportunities can Palau offer us if we return home now?” said one individual during a recent campaign visit to Saipan. A copy of the petition was sent to the media and the following is its text… “This is a petition from 170 Palau voters currently working and residing in Postville, Iowa to request our Honorable Ambassador Hershey Kyota in Washington DC to bring the ballots to Postville, Iowa.” “There have been absentee ballot request forms sent to Palau but considering the time limitation, we believe that it will not be timely and we will not be able to vote come November 2008. This General Election is very important due to the fact that this will be the first time in our Palau’s history where we will be voting on 22 Amendments proposed by our 2005 Constitutional Convention as well as the 23rd Proposed Amendment by the Olbiil Era Kelulau.” “We hope that YOU, our representatives in Congress can consider our Petition. Mesulang, Palauans in Postville.”

8th Olbiil Era Kelulau 21. James Unique Orak

(Continued from page 4) … NATUE’S FURY

The rally came to an abrupt end around 6:00pm when the power was unexpected cut-off at the main power outlet from the electric pole. Amidst the pouring rain and cold into the night, tents were brought down with chairs arranged for delivery and remaining drinks and food distributed to everyone. Although a little commotion erupted between Petrus Bells and John Sokau at the rally due to misunderstanding, no one was injured. Police Officer Francis Elkang was at the scene to deter any outburst before any went out of control.

P.O. Box 9006 Koror, Republic of Palau 96940 Cell: 779-3440 E-Mail: [email protected] Website: “Under Construction”

PUBLISHER JeRome Temengil

SUBCRIPTION RATES Monthly Subscription......... $5.00 Yearly Subscription .........$60.00

(Continued from page 3) … PNCC TARIFF

phone line is over $30 per month. The 10% increase will not cover the full cost of providing the service but will help somewhat to offset the increases in operating costs due primarily to higher fuel and electricity prices, which have risen by far more than 10% over the past 14 years. Copies of the full details of Tariff Advice #6 are available upon request at PNCC Customer Service in Koror and Airai.

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