PUP Legal Advisor Anthony Sylvester was at Magistrate's court today on behalf of his party's newspaper the Belize Times. The Sales Tax Department summonsed the paper for not filing and not paying their sales tax going back to the second month of 2010. We have seen at least 15 summons documents. Yesterday, we asked the party leader about the rather embarrassing state of affairs for the country's longest established mass party:
Jules Vasquez
"Are you aware of this? I know that you are not the business manager of the PUP."
Hon. Francis Fonseca - Leader of the Opposition, PUP
"Or the owner, no I am not aware of it, Jules. I know a few - maybe a year or two ago, the people from the business tax office or the GST - I don't know which one of them, had come in, and I know that the business managers of the Belize Times had sat down with them and worked out a settlement of whatever was the outstanding. But, that was - I think - in 2012, but that's the last I know about it. I have not seen any of those things."
Jules Vasquez
"Is it of concern to you that these 15 summons have been filed in court?"
Hon. Francis Fonseca
"Obviously, but I'm sure that they're being addressed. Somebody is dealing with it; I'm sure that the lawyers who handle these matters and the business persons who manage the Belize Times are dealing with it. They obviously don't believe that it is a matter of grave concern. They have not brought it to my attention. So, I have no doubt that it is a matter which, if it has not already been settled, it is a matter that can easily be settled."
Jules Vasquez
"But it reflects - is the PUP illiquid? Is it able to meet its debts?"
Hon. Francis Fonseca
'No, absolutely not."
Jules Vasquez
"So, it's not an indication of dire financial crisis."
Hon. Francis Fonseca
"No, absolutely not, I mean, as you know, we've changed leadership, turned over staff at the Belize Times, and so I have absolutely no doubt that it is simply a matter of accounting record. Absolutely not, the PUP is able and does meet all of its bills."
The case was adjourned for tomorrow.
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