Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Tualatai’s new Senator will be sworn in today, at 11 a.m in the Senate’s temporary chamber in Fagatogo.

He is Tuiasina Dr Salamo Laumoli. He replaces Senator Satele Galu Teutusi Satele, who passed away last year.

Legislative legal counsel confirmed the swearing in ceremony.

In 2010, Tuiasina Dr Salamo  resigned as Director of Health under the Togiola administration. However, he continued to serve in DoH — this time, as the head of the Leone Health Center Clinic.

Tuiasina is a graduate of the Fiji School of Medicine and served as LBJ Medical Center's chief of dental services from 1993 until his retirement in 2007.

Also to be sworn in today are members of the House of Representative; their term is for two years.

There are five new lawmakers that were voted in as new members of the House: Shawn Onosai Va’a, Malaeoletalu Melesio Gurr, Tapai Alailepule Benjamin Vaivao, Tautoloitua Sauasetoa Ho Ching, and Fiu John Saelua.

Their swearing-in ceremony will be held at the conference room of the Gov. H. Rex Lee Auditorium in Utulei, which is the temporary House chamber.

The swearing in ceremony for 38th Legislature is scheduled to be conducted before 12noon on January 03, 2023 (today) — in accordance with local law — and it’s also at this time that the new sitting of the House will elect a Speaker.

Current House Speaker, Savali Talavou Ale, the longest serving House member, regained his seat for District 14 Alataua and he is expected to again seek the leadership post for the new Legislature.

There’s been no speculation at this point of another faipule looking to run for the Speakership post.

As in past years, the Chief Election Officer will be present during the swearing-in ceremony, to present and announce the official results of the election.

Missing from the new House membership will be a female-faipule, after incumbent Rep. Andra Samoa was unseated by Fiu John Saelua for District #13, Fofo, Leone during the Nov. 08 election.

However, the 38th Legislature will still have a female-lawmaker, and that is Sen. Fonoti Tafa’ifa Aufata in the Senate.