Your watching the "Weekend Report" for January 30, 2009 (requires Quicktime 7.4)

News from Palau and Micronesia

Below is the text version of the weekend report with headlines from around Palau and the Pacific.

BREAKING NEWS

Palau Ministers confirmed and Deferred, Bells Presented Forged Documents

by OTV Staff Reporters

Today the Senate voted on some of President Toribiong’s nominations by secret ballot.

Sandra Pierentozzi was confirmed by the Senate as Minister of State, by an overwhelming majority.  The vote count was 11 yes 2 no. 

Masa-Aki Emoschei was confirmed for Minister of Education 10 yes 3 no.

The Senators were split 8 yes and 5 no on Scott Yano for Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs, but have agreed to renew their consideration at a later date.

The nomination of Youlsau Bells for Minister of Natural Resources, Environment and Tourism
was deferred by the Senate.  The vote to defer this nomination was taken by a raising of hands and even Senator Remengesau voted to defer her consideration.  Questions are mounting about her educational credentials and her claims of graduating from the highest ranked schools in the U.S. 

Whipps Clip Regina Clip

She claims that she has two Masters of Business Administration degrees, one from Duke University’s Global Executive Program and one from University of Pennsylvania Wharton School.

In a letter from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School, which has been authenticated by OTV, the Registrar confirmed that the degrees presented by Ms. Bells to the Senate from were forgeries and that the person named on the degrees never attended the school. 

The Registrar explained that the degrees had the wrong dean, the wrong graduation date, the wrong roman numerals, and the wrong font.

At Ms. Bells Senate hearing on January 29, 2009, the Credentials Chairman Alfonso Diaz stated that she had four things going for her, including her looks.  Senator Diaz has continued to heavily support her on his radio show while attacking others for questionings her qualifications. 

DIAZ QUOTE

Senator Ada Elduei has taken the lead on raising questions about her performance and credentials as he is the only Senator who has had more 15 years working in the environmental sector in Palau.

ADA QUOTE

After the Senate deferred action on her nomination, the President met with her for consultation.  Ms. Bells has agreed to meet with him again tomorrow.  She continues to stand by her credentials.

Ms. Bells was contacted by OTV but she declined comment.

OTV will continue to cover this breaking story.

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