But, if it is an addiction, then the PUP's own Dangriga Representative Ivan Ramos probably has it too. That's because last week Wednesday he broke party ranks asked Government in writing for Petrocaribe funds for his division. In a letter to the Prime Minister, Ramos gave a glowing endorsement of the programme saying he supports it and the benefits to the nation from Petrocaribe. He then went on to ask for twenty five thousand dollars for a joint fathers and mother's day programme.
Today, Deputy Leader Julius Espat - who has been leading the charge against Petrocaribe - said Ramos made a wrong move and should be sanctioned for it:..
Hon. Julius Espat - PUP Cayo South
"As a party we had a policy put forward that we would not accept Petrocaribe funds. That's quite clear. What the Hon. Ivan Ramos did, is his decision. I believe it was a wrong decision. I believe he should be discipline because we have rules and regulations and if we form part of an organization - that is the least that should be done. But that's my personal opinion. I am not thinking as Ivan Ramos. I do not know the pressures that he comes under. I know the ones that I do and I can only speak for myself."
Jules Vasquez
"So, you do believe that a sanction should be taken against him?"
Hon. Julius Espat - PUP Cayo South
"I believe there should be discipline in any and every organization that we formed a part of."
Jules Vasquez
"But then, you all, if you say yes we have rules. But then it's you all who broke the rule."
Hon. Julius Espat - PUP Cayo South
"Who is you all?"
Jules Vasquez
"You, the PUP agreed, you put it forward: no elected representative will be challenged. They would remain in place until the next election and we work on building the other... but then you all moved Ivan."
Hon. Julius Espat - PUP Cayo South
"You have to understand what was said at that time and what the proposal was all about. The proposal was a strategic decision at the time to make sure that we remained united and the proposal came with options and clauses that the party leader at the end of the day, coming closer to a general election would have the option to analyze each and every individual and if somebody was not doing his job, or if their committee was not happy with the way they were working, he as the party leader had that ultimate decision to make if that person would remain or not. So, we are not going away from what we had agreed upon."
Jules Vasquez
"Okay, so then you have a new narrative: Mr. Ramos was ejected."
Hon. Julius Espat - PUP Cayo South
"I didn't say that."
Jules Vasquez
"But that's the only conclusion I can draw."
Hon. Julius Espat - PUP Cayo South
"No. I don't know what the final decision was. I know the executive committee was not happy with him. The entire executive."
Jules Vasquez
"Are you concerned that others in the party, because the government has gangled $25,000 in cheese to anybody else who wants. Are you concerned that others in the party may both, may choose to take the money?"
Hon. Julius Espat - PUP Cayo South
"If they do, it would be a good thing for us to know who they are from now. That's how I see it. Because if you bolt for $25,000, what will you not do when you get more."
Jules Vasquez
"Are you concerned that Mr. Ramos may run independent, maybe using this as a platform for an independent campaign?"
Hon. Julius Espat - PUP Cayo South
"That's a possibility and if he does it he will be blasted away."
A government release confirms that Ramos was allotted the funds and says, quote, "until June 12, 2015, all elected Representatives are eligible for funding from this year's Mothers'/Fathers' Day Program."
Email
Print