Palau's presidential inauguration is set for Jan. 16 with the incumbent president securing another term while the former vice president has reclaimed his old role.
The ceremony will likely be held at the nation's capitol, Ngerulmud, in Melekeok.
President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. defeated former President Tommy Remengesau Jr., who served 16 years in office, during the Nov. 5 election. Whipps garnered 56% of the vote, securing his second term.
Former Vice President Raynold “Arnold” Oilouch won the vice presidency, defeating current Vice President J. Uduch Sengebau Senior. Oilouch earned more than 68% of the vote.
Remengesau and Senior conceded days after the election, thanking voters and congratulating Whipps and Oilouch. In Palau, the president and vice president run on separate tickets.
Whipps announced during a Nov. 12 press conference that his current cabinet would remain, with Oilouch expected to lead the Ministry of Justice.
Oilouch previously served as vice president under Remengesau from 2017 to 2021 and led the Ministry of Justice. Before that, he was a senator representing Ngchesar in the Olbiil Era Kelulau. An attorney, he has practiced law since 1998.
Whipps and Oilouch thanked voters during their victory speeches. Whipps, in speaking with media during a recent interviews, said he's focused on continuing the push to build the island nation's economy, an endeavor that is balanced with protecting the environment. His administration continues talks to upgrade and extend the national airport's runway, build a new hospital, build a new school in northern Palau, and complete the long-awaited correctional facility in Airai.
In Guam, Republican senators secured a new legislative majority and chose leadership roles for the upcoming term. Sen.-elect Frank Blas Jr. was selected as speaker, with Sen.-elect Tony Ada as vice speaker. Other roles include Sen.-elect Sabrina Salas Matanane as legislative secretary, Sen.-elect Jesse Lujan as majority leader, and Sen.-elect Shelly Calvo as majority whip.
Key committee assignments include Ada as chair of the Committee on Rules and Sen.-elect Chris Duenas leading the Committee on Appropriations. Incumbent Del. James Moylan retained his seat representing Guam in Washington, D.C.
In the Northern Mariana Islands, Kimberlyn Kay King-Hinds was elected delegate, succeeding longtime Del. Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan. Sablan pledged to ensure a smooth transition.
Senate President Edith DeLeon Guerrero, an independent, lost her Saipan seat to Democratic Rep. Manny Castro, who won by a clear majority.
On Tinian, GOP incumbent Sen. Karl King-Nabors ran unopposed and retained his seat.
In Rota, longtime independent Sen. Paul A. Manglona lost to independent Ronnie Mendiola Calvo.
In the House of Representatives, incumbent Democrat Vicente Camacho lost his seat. Newcomers Elias Rangamar, Daniel Aquino, and Raymond U. Palacios—all independents—will join the chamber. mbj
The ceremony will likely be held at the nation's capitol, Ngerulmud, in Melekeok.
President Surangel S. Whipps Jr. defeated former President Tommy Remengesau Jr., who served 16 years in office, during the Nov. 5 election. Whipps garnered 56% of the vote, securing his second term.
Former Vice President Raynold “Arnold” Oilouch won the vice presidency, defeating current Vice President J. Uduch Sengebau Senior. Oilouch earned more than 68% of the vote.
Remengesau and Senior conceded days after the election, thanking voters and congratulating Whipps and Oilouch. In Palau, the president and vice president run on separate tickets.
Whipps announced during a Nov. 12 press conference that his current cabinet would remain, with Oilouch expected to lead the Ministry of Justice.
Oilouch previously served as vice president under Remengesau from 2017 to 2021 and led the Ministry of Justice. Before that, he was a senator representing Ngchesar in the Olbiil Era Kelulau. An attorney, he has practiced law since 1998.
Whipps and Oilouch thanked voters during their victory speeches. Whipps, in speaking with media during a recent interviews, said he's focused on continuing the push to build the island nation's economy, an endeavor that is balanced with protecting the environment. His administration continues talks to upgrade and extend the national airport's runway, build a new hospital, build a new school in northern Palau, and complete the long-awaited correctional facility in Airai.
In Guam, Republican senators secured a new legislative majority and chose leadership roles for the upcoming term. Sen.-elect Frank Blas Jr. was selected as speaker, with Sen.-elect Tony Ada as vice speaker. Other roles include Sen.-elect Sabrina Salas Matanane as legislative secretary, Sen.-elect Jesse Lujan as majority leader, and Sen.-elect Shelly Calvo as majority whip.
Key committee assignments include Ada as chair of the Committee on Rules and Sen.-elect Chris Duenas leading the Committee on Appropriations. Incumbent Del. James Moylan retained his seat representing Guam in Washington, D.C.
In the Northern Mariana Islands, Kimberlyn Kay King-Hinds was elected delegate, succeeding longtime Del. Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan. Sablan pledged to ensure a smooth transition.
Senate President Edith DeLeon Guerrero, an independent, lost her Saipan seat to Democratic Rep. Manny Castro, who won by a clear majority.
On Tinian, GOP incumbent Sen. Karl King-Nabors ran unopposed and retained his seat.
In Rota, longtime independent Sen. Paul A. Manglona lost to independent Ronnie Mendiola Calvo.
In the House of Representatives, incumbent Democrat Vicente Camacho lost his seat. Newcomers Elias Rangamar, Daniel Aquino, and Raymond U. Palacios—all independents—will join the chamber. mbj