In a time when many politicians are dodging the press, Police minister John Saldivar is available to the media every Thursday morning. That's when he appears on WAVE Radio's "Fus Thing Da Mawnin" as a sort of UDP spokesperson, laying out the party's position on a whole host of issues.
After the show, he has to do much the same for the media where he switches hats and becomes an ad-hoc government spokesperson. But, this morning he could have read from a script, because just as we did for the last two weeks, we asked him about visa's and what, if any role he ever played in facilitating them through the Immigration Department. He gave the standard answer, but this week with a small wrinkle: Saldivar says that unlike his colleague Edmund Castro who wrote a letter of recommendation, he made calls to push the process along. Here are his remarks on what elected officials do and don't do for visa's:...
Hon. John Saldivar, Minister of Police
"Area Representatives are called upon by their constituents to give recommendations for various government services and we do that in the normal course of things and I will repeat since you not have gotten that memo "I am not in any way involved in any visa scam.""
Jules Vasquez
"But a legitimate visa in the normal course wouldn't need a recommendation per say; a covering letter from a minister or even a generic covering letter."
Hon. John Saldivar, Minister of Police
"I have never issued any letter. I have simply called at times to try to see the process through, but that's about it. I have never written any letter - that has never occurred with me."
Jules Vasquez
"It's an ugly question, but it has to be asks in the current climate; is this a service that elected representatives offer that, I'll make a call in consideration, not for an inducement, but perhaps I need some funding for my summer camp or campaign financing or...."
Hon. John Saldivar, Minister of Police
"Loaded question Jules. Obviously not, that's not how we operate. We do a service for our constituents and we don't charge any money for the service that we do."
Jules Vasquez
"I would imagine - Edmund Castro attended the Cabinet meeting on Tuesday, you all have had the chance to hear from him. Are you satisfied that indeed he did not accept an inducement from Mrs. Alvarine Burgess?"
Hon. John Saldivar, Minister of Police
"I am satisfied, he has told us that he hasn't and Mrs. Burgess has not produced any evidence to the contrary."
