Hundreds from the constituency of Palauli No.2 gathered for a special ceremony on the parliament grounds to thank the Prime Minister, the cabinet and members of parliament for appointing Le Laulu Mapusone Tiatia as a member of the Council of Deputies.

Le Laulu said it was an honour and he was humbled to be called to serve Samoa.

Speaking to the Samoa Observer, Le Laulu said he acknowledged God for his calling.

"It's all thanks to Father God, if it wasn't for Him, we (the constituency) wouldn't be here at Parliament today," Le Laulu said.

"I am very humbled to be able to be here to meet with the leaders of Samoa in Parliament and ready to serve our country."

Hundreds of people from the constituency of Palauli No.2 were present during the "o'o" (traditional presentation) of the new Council of Deputies to the Parliament of Samoa on Tuesday.

Monetary gifts and fine mats with all the other presentations (Sua talisua) were given to the Prime Minister and her cabinet and all members of parliament as a way of thanking Parliament for the role given to Le Afioga a Le La'ulu as the new Council of Deputies.

Some of the matai from Palauli No.2 told Samoa Observer that they thanked the leaders of Samoa for trusting Le Afioga Le La'ulu to become one of the three new Council of Deputies and it was an honour for the constituency to have one of their high chiefs to become a Sui Ao.

"We are very happy to be here today to bring traditional presentations to the members of parliament as a token of appreciation for believing in Le Afioga a Le La'ulu to become a Sui Ao," one of the matai from Palauli said.

The Sui o le Fono a Sui Tofia or Council of Deputies, is a constitutional body in Samoa and its members serve as Deputy Ao o le Malo and act as Head of State when the Office of o le Ao o le Malo is vacant or when the incumbent is unable to fulfill their duties due to absence.

This role was established by the Constitution at independence on 1 January 1962 and it consists of between one and three members who are elected by the Legislative Assembly. If there are no members, the Chief Justice acts in their place.