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Cabinet Rejects Hon. Espat’s Proposal, Proposes Way Forward
posted (August 21, 2013)
And where Greenwood was blazing up Chukka, today the Prime Minister took on PUP Cayo South Representative and chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, Julius Espat. As we've reported, Espat wants to reform the non performing Committee by adding civil society membership. Well, two weeks ago, in the House of Representatives, the Prime Minister rubbished Espat's motion – saying it would up-end the letter and spirit of the standing orders.

But Espat's proposal has gotten key support from the Chamber of Commerce and the National Trade Union Congress of Belize – and so, his cause has gotten traction – the kind that the Prime Minister cannot easily ignore. That's why today, the Office of The Prime Minister issued an unusual statement going over Cabinet's position on the reform proposal.

It says that Cabinet has quote,

"carefully noted the positions taken by the …Chamber of Commerce and the NTUCB."

It continues, quote,

"Cabinet remains convinced, however, that such a proposal is fundamentally inconsistent with the spirit and letter of the Standing Orders of the House."

The statement goes on to say quote,

"For all three social partners, the Opposition, and the Government to be on the proposed new body…would result in an unwieldy and top heavy Committee and greatly ratchet up the costs associated with Committee hearings. Cabinet cannot, therefore, agree with such a proposal."

So it's "no" to the proposal and the statement then goes unto set out a plan of action for Espat's Committee saying, quote, "..

. the Government side of the Committee will insist now that the Chairman calls an urgent meeting of the PAC to agree to a schedule for consideration of all the outstanding Auditor General reports. Such a schedule should see the work divided into two: examination of pre-2008 reports; and examination of post-2008 reports. In any given week when the Committee meets, it should do so on two days of that particular week. The first day should be given over to the first set of reports, and the second day to the second set of reports. If the Hon. Espat as Chairman refuses to get things moving in this fashion, the Government will use the provision of the Standing Orders to have its members convene and conduct the meetings so that the work of the Committee can get done. The hearings will, in any case, be held in public." End of quote.

Now, that puts the ball in Espat's court, and sets out a quite tall order for him to fill. This afternoon, the press was invited to his Belize City office where he responded to the statement, including the criticism that he was grandstanding and game-playing.:….

Julius Espat - Chairman, Public Accounts Committee
"I don't see how you can be grandstanding and game playing when you have the support of the Chamber of Commerce and the National Trade Union congress - is he saying they are grandstanding and game playing? They're talking about all the public servants of this country and all the business community and shortly I assume we'll be having the same support from the churches so I don't see the relevance to that statement."

Jules Vasquez
"They're insisting that you call an urgent meeting to agree to a shedule for conservation of all the outstanding auditor general reports - how do you respond to that?"

Julius Espat
"We have a serious problem here - it's a sign of guided dictatorship and I'll explain to you why. The way our democracy works you should have independence and clear separation from the executive, the legislature and the judiciary. What Prime Minister is an instruction from Cabinet telling the legislature how they should - he's telling the Chariman of the Public Accounts Committee who should be an independent body within the legislature, what to do and how to do it. This is totally against democracy - he is out of line and you can call anybody, anywhere in the democratic world - not only in the common wealth, there is no way an executive can give a directive to the legislature."

Reporter
"He is saying that in the meetings from now on this is the schedule that will happen, we will look at reports post 2008."

Julius Espat
"So he is reflecting what I've been saying - it is dictatorship. The executive is dictating to the legislature what they need to do and that is anti-democratic."

Jules Vasquez
"It's not an instruction from Cabinet, it says accordingly the government side of the...."

Julius Espat
"Read the initial statement, it says the Office of the Prime Minister, Cabinet has considered, Cabinet has decided, Cabinet has reviewed so we're playing games with words."

Reporter
"Mr. Espat wouldn't it essentially get you what you want because in tabling the motion you did recently in parliament, you said that PAC is really morribond and the way to get it ahead to move with its work is for reform - wouldn't this get you what you want?" Julius Espat
"No, we are not getting reformed because you're still asking the police to police themselves and we're playing games. The system hasn't worked from 1981 so why are we playing political charades here - today the Prime Minister decides that he will do it, tomorrow he will shut it down again."

Reporter
"How do you respond to the Prime Minister's statement that the proposed PAC would greatly ratchet up the costs associated with Committee hearings and the cost of operating?"

Julius Espat
"I think I should laugh at that one, that's a ridiculous statement to even make. One of their vehicles that they buy is $250,000 - I don't get paid to be on the PAC, the Chamber of Commerce is not requesting a payment to be on the PAC - the Trade Union Congress is not asking for payment on the PAC, you have the staff of the National Assembly that has rooms that are available 365 days a year that they only use once or twice a year . This is a slap in the face of the Belizean people."

Espat says he will continue the dialogue with civil society groups to maintain the support – and says he remains open to a dialogue with government.

He also said a lot more today – including some choice remarks about the resurgent Amin Hegar and we'll have those for you later on.

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