By Kassi Berg
On December 4, 2012, in the wake of Typhoon Bopha, Palau’s President Johnson Toribiong triggered his Constitutional authority to declare Palau in a State of Emergency. The last time President Toribiong invoked his emergency powers and declared a State of Emergency, following a nation-wide power failure, he was sued. That case is on going.
On December 4, 2012, Palau’s Senate was asked for its consent of the President’s action.
Interestingly, one of the votes on this matter would be by Senator Tommy Remengesau Jr. Torbiong and Remengesau are political rivals. Senator Remengesau recently beat incumbent Toribiong in the 2012 Presidential election race. Yet, on December 4, 2012, all differences were put aside and Senator Remengesau stood squarely behind President Toribiong’s assessment and consented to his action. In fact, the Senate was unanimous in its support of President Toribiong’s declaration.
President-elect Remengesau has also announced that he will forego any inauguration party and will instead be sworn in by a judge so as to defray the cost of a celebration in order to fund those who were inflicted by Typhoon Bopha.
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