Independent Legislator Chiu Yi (
With Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (
When asked whether he would enter the Kaohsiung mayoral poll, Chiu said that it is one of the many options available to him in the future, but emphasized that the party has many other talented people and that he has to take care of his three children as a single father.
Meanwhile, Chiu yesterday cried foul over a subpoena issued by the Kaohsiung District Court asking him to appear in court on Friday.
Chiu is charged with violating the Assembly and Parade Law (
The court issued the subpoena on Monday after Chiu failed to show up at last Friday's hearing. Chiu has reportedly been absent from several court hearings related to the case.
Chiu said yesterday that while the court claimed he has appeared at only 10 of the hearings, he has actually attended court more than 20 times.
"I remember one time I received eight summons in one day and I answered all of them," he said. "I go to 70 percent of the court hearings, and when I can't make it, I ask my lawyers to go on my behalf."
Chiu also questioned whether it is appropriate for the plaintiff, the Kaohsiung District Court, to handle the case.
Claiming that the trial is illegal, Chiu said that he is planning to file for compensation for the losses he has incurred over the past few months.
Other KMT lawmakers also jumped to Chiu's defense.
KMT caucus whip Pan Wei-kang (潘維剛) said that she suspects that there is political interference in the matter and called on the administration to keep its nose out of the judicial system.
KMT legislators Lee Chuan-chiao (李全教) echoed Pan's opinion and declared that "justice is dead."
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday thanked Palau for its continued support of Taiwan's international participation, as Taipei was once again excluded from the World Health Assembly (WHA) currently taking place in Switzerland. "Palau has never stopped voicing support for Taiwan" in the UN General Assembly, the WHO and other UN-affiliated agencies, Lai said during a bilateral meeting with visiting Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. "We have been profoundly touched by these endorsements," Lai said, praising the Pacific island nation's firm support as "courageous." Lai's remarks came as Taiwan was excluded for the ninth consecutive year from the WHA, which is being held in
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