Weeks ago we reported that Cordel Hyde would be made a senior Deputy in the PUP, above the regional deputies. At the time, the PUP higher ups called it a media creation. Well, they must have liked the creation very much, because reliable reports to 7News tonight are that Cordel Hyde was introduced today at a National Executive meeting as the Deputy Party Leader. But that's only one small move in a much larger shakeup of the PUP National Executive. Reports tell us that Treasurer Ramon Monchie Cervantez, Legal Advisor Anthony Sylvestre, and others are being purged to make way for Briceno loyalists. The major move went down today at Independence Hall, and we spoke to Monchie Cervantez as he was leaving:…

Ramon "Monchi" Cervantes - PUP Std. Bearer, OW North

"Well I was asked by the party leader to relinquish my post as treasurer so that he could give the post to Mr. Chris Coye."

Reporter

"What were the grounds he based that request on?"

Ramon "Monchi" Cervantes - PUP Std. Bearer, OW North

"Well he said that Mr. Coye would be able to raise a lot of money, that's one of the reasons that he gave."

Reporter

"And your response, your reaction to that?"

Ramon "Monchi" Cervantes - PUP Std. Bearer, OW North

"Well I told them that I was constitutionally elected by the national executive as treasurer and before I make a decision I have to consult with my people, with my executives, with my family who were principal financiers of my campaign."

Daniel Ortiz

"Is there any way they can forcibly remove you that goes well with the constitution?"

Ramon "Monchi" Cervantes - PUP Std. Bearer, OW North

"I don't think so; I would have to check, I don't think so on the face of it I don't think so."

Jules Vasquez

"Is this an outrageous request sir? You were elected, you were uncontested but the convention selected you so to speak. In light of that, is it an outrageous request by Mr. Briceno?"

Ramon "Monchi" Cervantes - PUP Std. Bearer, OW North

"It is a request and he has his reason so I will leave it at that."

Jules Vasquez

"But his reason Monchi simply, you are not a Briceno loyalist, that's his reason."

Ramon "Monchi" Cervantes - PUP Std. Bearer, OW North

"Again Jules please confirm it with him or ask him that."

Daniel Ortiz

"Sir if you are forced to relinquish this position, will there be any ill feelings between you and the current leader?"

Ramon "Monchi" Cervantes - PUP Std. Bearer, OW North

"I have no ill feelings, the convention is over and the Hon. John Briceno is our leader and I am fully in support of his leadership and fully supporting him as the party leader going into the next general elections."

Reporter

"Have you decided to resign from the treasurer post?"

Ramon "Monchi" Cervantes - PUP Std. Bearer, OW North

"No, I said it's a request by the party leader."

But is it really a request? That's not what the chairman said when we spoke with him a few minutes later and he described it as a fait accompli:..

Jules Vasquez

"Monchi seem to think that it he still has the right to refuse or accept."

Henry Usher - PUP Party Chairman

"That's one of the changes yes that the party leader has made to the post of treasurer."

Jules Vasquez

"So Mr. Monchi Cervantes is no longer treasurer?"

Henry Usher - PUP Party Chairman

"Party leader informed him today that he has asked Mr. Christopher Coye to be the treasurer of the party."

Reporter

"How does it relates to the legal advisor position, has a replacement been found for Mr. Sylvester?"

Henry Usher - PUP Party Chairman

"Yes, he has also made a change to the legal advisor, has asked Mr. Andrew Marshalleck to serve in that capacity."

Jules Vasquez

"We heard also that for example Mr. Vaughan Gill who represents the western caucus as communications director would also be replaced but then isn't that the executive usurping the roll of the caucuses?"

Henry Usher - PUP Party Chairman

"No that is not the case; the post of deputy communication directors and the posts of deputy campaign managers are not regional posts, they are post that can be filled from whatever position. Vaughan Gill was one of the deputy communications director but we now have two new ones filling the post."

Jules Vasquez

"A critic might say its smacks of high handedness or authoritarian style leadership when one trumps the decision of the national convention which should be supreme in the political party; when one starts to pick and choose after the convention has elected or selected."

Henry Usher - PUP Party Chairman

"I believe Jules that's your opinion and the critics would be wrong on this case because national executive is the one who gave the party leader the authority to make the changes and that decision was made at the last meeting unanimously. There were no objections and the party leader has done so, made the changes he feels is necessary."

Daniel Ortiz

"Is this any way a purging of the non Briceno loyalists?"

Henry Usher - PUP Party Chairman

"None whatsoever, I don't know what that terms even mean."

Jules Vasquez

"People who did not support Mr. Briceno in the convention; we know Sylvester did not support him, we know Mr. Monchi did not support him, we know Vaughan Gill did not support him."

Henry Usher - PUP Party Chairman

"The party leader has given the authority to make the changes he believes in best going forward for the national executives and he has done so."

Jules Vasquez

"Does that mean stacking the executive with Bricenistas?"

Henry Usher - PUP Party Chairman

"The national executive has given the party leader authority to make changes and he has made those changes Jules."

When we interviewed Usher we didn't know yet that Cordel Hyde was being brought in as Deputy Leader. Neither did we know that National Campaign Manager Victor Usher had resigned. Also, Briceno loyalist Eamon Courtenay has been brought into the executive as National Development Strategic Director. Reports are that Dan Silva, Kevin Bernard, Servulo Baeza, Jaime Briceno and Windy Castillo will also fill executive posts. The entire new executive lineup will be presented at a National Party Council in three weeks. Deputy Leader for the West Julius Espat boycotted today's meeting and told us via text, quote, "I am not comfortable when decisions are made with the sole purpose of preserving leadership. A clear mandate was given to unify the party. Unilateral and unconstitutional appointments should never sacrifice democracy and shackle the rank and file over special interest."