On Sunday the Old Guard PUP made their stand in San Joaquin and today the new PUP led by John Briceno made his, and he pulled no punches. Briceno’s National Executive met today and it moved decisively against the Corozal Southeast Committee and Mike Espat, the executive member who sanctioned their convention. And for good measure, and as a show of strength and the support, the Executive held a meeting with 23 constituency chairpersons at Independence Hall. We spoke to a very resolute Party Leader Briceno after that.
Hon. John Briceno, PUP Leader
“Well this morning the National Executive met and made several recommendations. Among them was certainly to call the so called convention of Corozal Southeast null and void. We’re calling for the expulsion of the Chairman of Corozal
Southeast and the suspension of the entire executive of Corozal Southeast.”
Keith Swift,
What about Florencio Marin Jr.?
Hon. John Briceno,
“With the Honourable Member and Florencio Jr., we’re going to send him a very strong letter of reprimand as was asked by the floor this morning.”
Keith Swift,
You’re saying that the election is null and void or that the convention is but Mike Espat was there and he is a member of the Executive.
Hon. John Briceno,
“The constitution is very clear that for that to take place a member has be appointed by the National Executive. Nobody was appointed by the National Executive and also Mr. Mike Espat also is being expelled as a member of the Southern Caucus and there will be elections within by the end of the month for a new Chairman of the Southern Caucus.”
Keith Swift,
Will he remain a standard bearer?
Hon. John Briceno,
“Well he is not a standard bearer. There are no standard bearers right now.”
Keith Swift,
What about the Leader Emeritus?
Hon. John Briceno,
“Well the Leader Emeritus has a right to go wherever he wishes. His position is more one of a moral standing than any standing within the party.”
Keith Swift,
In your address just now you mentioned that the new executive has given the
Old Guard enough opportunity to join in. Is this now a declaration of war between the old and the new?
Hon. John Briceno,
“The party continues to move forward. We, from the time I was elected as Party Leader one of the issues I made very clear was that I will do everything possible to unite the party but there must be a unity of purpose. It is not just unite because we need to unite. That has been my message from day one, we have been reaching out to several members of the previous leadership and if they are no longer interested in participating then we need to move on.”
Keith Swift,
What do you think will be the domino effect of this?
Hon. John Briceno,
“I don’t expect any domino effect. The party has spoken very clear. Today we had 23 constituencies represented here out of the 31 constituencies. We have the overwhelming majority of the party behind my leadership.”
We should note that the Corozal Southeast Branch Committee which has been suspended does have the membership of Florencio Marin Sr. so that means the nine time undefeated representative is also suspended. Interestingly the statement also goes onto say that, “a Special Committee has been appointed by the National Executive to review party and government-related conduct of PUP leaders during the past decade... Reviewing controversial decisions they took." It continues: “the committee will require party leaders to give a proper account for their conduct in this period.” And even more provocatively, it says: “the National Executive authorizes the pursuance of all legal options relating to the controversial ownership and management of the party’s assets, as well as the accounting of the party’s finances by previous party officers.”
And it concludes: “letters of reprimand will be issued to current and former pup Parliamentarians who attended this illegal convention.” We assume that means Said Musa, Francis Fonseca and Vildo Marin.
Very strong talk as Briceno’s PUP is now prepared it seems to confront the old guard directly and renounce their past actions or as they have been blithely called “mistakes.”
