Santos Olikong
Santos Olikong | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1930s Koror, Palau |
| Died | 2011 |
| Occupation(s) | Politician, diplomat, bank executive |
| Years active | 1972–2011 |
| Known for | Speaker of the House of Delegates of Palau, Minister of State, Ambassador to Japan |
Santos Olikong was a prominent Palauan political figure who held multiple roles including Speaker of the House of Delegates of Palau, senator, cabinet minister, and bank executive.
In 1972, he took on the role of branch manager at the Koror office of the Bank of Hawaii. By 1980, Olikong had advanced to vice-speaker within Palau's legislature and secured a delegate position for Koror in the House of Delegates of Palau. Serving as Speaker between 1985 and 1988, he was notably opposed to the Compact of Free Association. His bid for the presidency in 1988 was unsuccessful, but he subsequently served as Minister of State under President Ngiratkel Etpison.
Olikong also competed in the 2000 presidential primaries and was later designated ambassador to Japan by President Remengesau in 2004.
He passed away in late 2011 at approximately 73 years old. Remembered as a vibrant personality with firm convictions, he held the traditional Koror title of 'Rubasech'.