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KOROR, Palau (Palau Horizon, Feb. 4, 2008) — Sen. Joshua Koshiba on Thursday night announced his presidential candidacy and vowed to run on an anti-corruption platform.

Koshiba, who has never lost an election and has been named by his colleagues as the "dean" of the Senate, said he wants to eliminate corrupt government officials.

Koshiba mentioned a "prominent name" as his running mate, but the latter requested not be to identified.

"I have been talking with him for a long time -- he knows about this declaration," Koshiba said.

He earlier promised to make an announcement by the end of January.

[PIR editor’s note: Palau’s general elections are scheduled for Nov. 4, 2008 ]

Koshiba said the closure of Pacific Savings Bank was one of his main considerations when he decided to seek the highest post of the republic, adding that he will go after those who were "involved."

"The first thing I will do is to investigate the attorney general and...

HONIARA, Solomon Islands (Solomon Star, Feb. 2, 2008) - The Solomon Islands Public Sector Unions are demanding government for a 33 percent wage and salary increase for their members.

Spokesperson for the unions Johnley Hatimoana told Solomon Star that this percentage is based on the cost of living adjustment for 2006 to 2008.

Mr Hatimoana said the cost of living adjustment was presented to the government in October last year but to this date no progress has been made.

"Now we want to reactivate it," the spokesperson said.

A negotiating committee has been established to talk with permanent secretaries of ministries responsible for implementing the increase.

"Whether they like it or not this is our demand because we can no longer cope with the increasing price of food and other goods," Mr Hatimoana said.

He said the increase is not only for those in Honiara City but also those in provinces.

The general wage increase for 2006 was 12.5...

By Jeremy Inifiri

HONIARA, Solomon Islands (Solomon Star, Feb. 2, 2008) - The increasing price of market produce is becoming a concern for Honiara residents.

A resident Frank Jubu said this price increase is becoming a headache for many families in Honiara.

"Many families are spending a lot in sending their children back to school and this sudden price surge in the market is really affecting our budget," the concerned resident said.

Mr Jubu said not only are the prices high, but the quantity and quality are also very low.

A visit by Solomon Star to the Honiara Central Market found the following:

These fruits and vegetables were normally priced at only $1 to $6 [14 US cents to 86 US cents] before the wet weather.

Mr Jubu said for low or medium income earners these prices are very expensive.

But a market producer from Mbarande Noel Manengelea said they have to increase their prices because most of their crops have been destroyed...

PNG’S NORTHERN PROVINCE UNVEILS $46.3 MILLION BUDGET

PORT MORESBY, Papua New Guinea (PNG Post-Courier, Feb. 1, 2008) – Papua New Guinea’s Northern Province is prepared to complement the funding priorities of the National Government using the medium-term policy framework and the provincial government strategy paper.

[PIR editor’s note: The Northern Province, also known as Oro Province, is one of 11 provinces in Papua New Guinea. Its capital is Popondetta.]

Oro Governor Pastor Suckling Tamanabae said this in his budget speech during a media presentation in Port Moresby at the National Parliament House yesterday.

Pastor Tamanabae said the PGK25,224,400 [US$46.3 million] budget was focused on fiscal discipline and integrated sustainable development over the medium term.

He said the four objectives of the medium term fiscal strategy call for the Government to live within its means by producing a budget that was realistic and sustainable.

"Other...