7 News Belize

Arthur Saldivar Removed As PUP Standard Bearer
posted (September 17, 2014)

The executive members of the PUP- there are about 25 of them headed by party leader Francis Fonseca. They arrived at the PUP headquarters in time for the 2:00 pm meeting.

Saldivar was called in at five minutes to four but directed into an ante-room to wait. Ten minutes later he was called up into Independence Hall and three minutes later he was back down, cool and collected

If you missed it He said "I will be running in Belize Rural North" OSWIN BLEASE filled us in

Oswin Blease, Belize Rural Public Relation

"The chairman whispered to me that she was told that Arthur Salvidar's candidacy should be removed with immediate effect." 

Jules Vasquez

"Sir is this an injustice for you all in Belize Rural North?"

Oswin Blease

"This is indeed an injustice for all of us in Belize Rural North. For one, Arthur Saldivar was not endorsed; Arthur Saldivar contested a convention where he won over 2 other candidates."

Francis Fonseca, PUP Party Leader

"After 2 hours of deliberation, 2 hours of discussion, the national executive of the party reached a decision on this matter. And that decision ladies and gentlemen is that with immediate effect, Mr. Arthur Saldivar is removed as the standard bearer for Belize rural North for the People's United Party and is removed as a member of the national executive of the part."

It's obviously because of the findings of their investigation, but Fonseca didn't want to discuss it with the press.

Francis Fonseca

"I will just add that this is obviously not an easy decision for any of us. It is not ever easy for anyone to sit in judgement of any colleague of theirs, so it was not an easy decision and not a decision taken lightly. We considered it very very seriously, very cautiously, very deliberately, but at the end of the day I believe, and I was supported by the members of the national executive that it was both in the best interest of the People's United Party and I also believe in the best interest of Mr. Saldivar that at this time, he not be involved in party politics and certainly not be a standard bearer for the People's United Party."

Reporter

"Based on allegations that, the party would have not ditched their own man if they did not have reliable information."

Oswin Blease

"Well you ask them, you ask them if they have any information on Arthur Saldivar. There is no police report filed at the police station in relation to the Melonie Coye issue. All the allegations in relation to Arthur Saldivar's behaviour on the media was mere on a basis of personal behaviour. We were thinking about this, either he would have been called in to be reprimanded based on his behaviour, but to be removed with immediate effect from running as a candidate in Belize Rural North, definitely that is unfair."

Francis Fonseca

"We believes he needs to deal with these allegations which are very serious and other matters which have come to light. And we believe he needs to have opportunity to deal with them, and it is certainly we believe, not in the best interest of the People's United Party to have Mr. Saldivar as a candidate for our party at this time."

And so, the party is moving on, but Rural North is now divided on this issue, the PUP knows this.

Francis Fonseca

"We are now at the point where we will convene a meeting in Belize Rural North to begin the process of selecting a new standard bearer for Belize Rural North."

Oswin Blease

"I was born inside the People's United Party. From birth I was a PUP, I will always be a PUP, but you have a thing you call Independent PUPs and let me tell you this, this is something that will be happening. I believe that Arthur Saldivar will run in Belize Rural North because the executive is standing behind him unanimously, the executive is very strong and we are battle ready, and many of us will be going into other division and contest the division as PUP supporters."

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