Oscar Rosado walked away from the PUP on December 20th with a letter announcing that he's not seeking re-election as Port Loyola standard bearer and - more than that - he's resigning from the PUP.
And while he closed the door on the PUP, many others have opened it - offering themselves for the post of PUP standard bearer in Port Loyola.
Four persons have reportedly expressed interest and two of them have made a strong showing in the area. We showed you Gilroy Usher a few weeks ago and today we caught up with Englebert Perrera. You may remember him as the whistle-blowing city Administrator who came out swinging against his boss Mayor Zeinaida Moya in August of 1998.
Well, he's moved on since then and that journey ahs taken him to the division where he grew up. He told us why he wants to offer himself for the PUP:…
Englebert Perrera
"I was born on Pen Road and Kraal Road right in Port and I see the need that the Belizean people need more love in Port."
Jules Vasquez
"But Englebert with greatest respect I know you as a big UDP, when you were in City Council my understanding was that Audrey Wallace - the Prime Minister's CEO nominated you for the job because you were a good UDP and she put you there as a kind of watchdog."
Englebert Perrera
"My thing is to make sure that the Belizean people benefit. We are spending the Belizean people money, we have to be accountable for that. When I was at City Hall yes I was the City manager, I was the first to bring up corruption at City Hall even though I had a good salary, no one gave a penny to defend the Belizean people and that is what I stand for. We have to stop corruption, the Belizean people must benefit no matter what."
Jules Vasquez
"Do you agree though that you got the job because you are one of the people that Audrey Wallace CEO for the PM trusted as a good and honest UDP?"
Englebert Perrera
"You can say that, I was just an ordinary Belizean that got a job."
Jules Vasquez
"You were not Audrey boy, so to speak?"
Englebert Perrera
"You can say that, I was just an ordinary Belizean that got a job and my thing was to work for the people and that is what I did."
Jules Vasquez
"Now you are entering a field with rumored 4-5 aspirants for this title of standard bearer for the PUP in Port Loyola. What do you believe puts you ahead of the other aspirants?"
Englebert Perrera
"I am showing the Belizean people love, some of the things that we are doing right now and we are not promising the people 'when we win' it is what we are doing, as you can see right here we are helping someone to fix their roof, that is what we are doing - helping people. The Belizean people need help."
Jules Vasquez
"Now you can't help without money and it looks like you have no shortage of that. I don't know your finances but it takes a lot to run a campaign especially when you are paying to fix people houses and so. How are you getting financing for your campaign?"
Englebert Perrera
"I have some of my own money I am using, it's not easy but you have to help the Belizean people. My family is helping me with some, some friends are donating some and we are going to get more to help more people."
Jules Vasquez
"Boots Martinez won by huge margins last election. Do you believe that he is beatable?"
Englebert Perrera
"Yes definitely, I wouldn't enter into an election if I didn't have a chance to win and like I said what is helping us a lot is the showing the Belizean people the love, as you go about Port you will see my signs and you will say those people voted UDP, they are fed up, they want someone who will represent them."
Jules Vasquez
"Certainly you and Mr. Usher are two people that have come out early showing a good amount of resources, organization etc. Do you feel you are able to compete with Mr. Usher? He is no small order, he is a well resource man."
Englebert Perrera
"Like I said the bottom line is to show the Belizean people love, you show them love, they will give you back love. We are getting a lot of love. I can't wait for the convention to come."
No date has been set for that convention.
And while Perrerra is "gung ho" about earning the love of Port Loyolans, another would be candidate for the PUP says he was railroaded out of an opportunity to represent his party. Rudy Wade is a long time PUP in the Cayo South division who contested and lost two conventions against the now deceased Agripino Kawich. He says he wanted to offer himself again in 2013 - but was denied the opportunity to do so by the party executive who he says is playing favorites with the man who will be endorsed for the seat, party treasurer Julius Espat. We'll have his story in tomorrow night's newscast….
