7 News Belize

VIP Calls Christmas Cheer State Sponsored Patronage
posted (December 9, 2014)
Since 2003, the member countries of the United Nations have celebrated International Anti-Corruption Day on December 9 - the anniversary on the day that the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention Against Corruption.

But, Belize has yet to sign on and comply with the anti-corruption convention, and since last year the Independent Political Party, Vision Inspired by the People, has been pressuring the ruling United Democratic Party, and the Opposition to take action on it.

Today, the VIP staged a seven-man protest in front of the National Assembly Building. The picket was staged to coincide with Cabinet TUESDay.

And though only 7 were there, they were complaining about millions in public funds wasted on what they call political patronage programs, namely government's Residential Mortgage Payment Program and the Christmas Cheer program.

As we've told you, both the UDP and the PUP will participate in the Christmas Cheer, but the VIP calls it a blatant act of corruption.

But, while the VIP cries foul, Robert "Bobby" Lopez had another bone to pick with the elected officials.

The Corruption in Public Life law requires that elected officials, including the Senators and the Speaker of the House, must declare their private holdings and financials for scrutiny and oversight. The VIP says that since the law was passed, only 10% of elected officials have complied, so all those who haven't must pay the accompanying fines for non-compliance. He told our colleagues from PLUS TV why:

Robert "Bobby" Lopez, PR Officer - VP
"For 20 years the Prevention of Corruption in the Public Life Act was enacted in 1994. For 20 years, every elected person, Senators, Speaker of the House is supposed to declare. We are tired of telling to declare and they don't want to declare. So we are telling them now, don't bother declare, pay the fine. This is the fine for one term; it one hundred dollars a day for the first year. If you are late for the second year, it's two hundred. If you are late the third year, its three hundred and if you are late the fourth year, its four hundred. Actually, its $266,000 that every councilor owes the treasury. So, we are saying, you know what, don't bother with Integrity Commission, just pay the fine. Pay the fine every single one of you that has serve that swore an oath to obey the constitution and the law. This is the law and the law says fine or confined. So, you either pay or you go to jail."

The VIP has released a statement saying, quote, "Belizeans cannot afford to pay for BTL, BEL, the Super-Bond, and International Court judgments, Upgrade of Education, Health and Infrastructure among other looming debts, while wasting borrowed public money." End Quote.

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