And from a politician in court, to another perhaps forced to court colleagues for office space, it seems Ramiro Ramirez has been playing musical chairs in the Cabinet room. In his second term as a representative for Corozal southwest, Ramirez is a minister of state - but in what ministry? That has been a moving target - and Jules Vasquez tracked down the answer today - here's his story:
Ramiro Ramirez - he's the newly elected area representative for Corozal Southwest - and when the Cabinet portfolio assignments were released on November 13th - there he was, close to the top - Deputy Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister - the Minister of State in the Ministry of Natural Resources, Petroleum & Mining.
A plum portfolio for this northern politician - who would have some power to distribute lands in the north for his and neighbouring constituencies - where the PUP control 7 of 8 seats.
The press release release made it clear that this came straight from the Prime Minister - as the Head of Government - who would advise the GG, as the Head of State pursuant to section 40 of the Constitution.
From there it was published in the Gazette with the seal of the state and all the bells and whistles of officialdom.
Once it's in there - it's usually: "So shall it be written, So shall it be done!"
And while it was written; it was not done! It seems not even that act of state was enough to get Ramiro Ramirez through those closed doors at Natural Resources.
Reports tell us that his minister Cordel Hyde wasn't pleased with the appointment and rejected him. While that is unconfirmed - something surely did happen because the Gazette of December 19th offers this unprecedented Cabinet level correction.
Under the sheepish heading Corrigendum, it says- basically - that it was all a mistake, Ramiro Ramirez is not Minister of State in the Ministry of Natural Resources, Petroleum & Mining, but he's now Minister of State in the Ministry of Rural Transformation, Community development, Local Government and Labour.
It's a huge change and - and if it is a mistake - it happened at the very highest level of officialdom - an embarrassing height from which to make an "oops".
Prime Minister John Briceno says they were initially considering sending Ramirez to Natural Resources - but they made a change to send him to Rural Development. He says the initial gazette should not have listed him as being assigned to Natural Resources. Briceno says he has been at Rural development from the government was formed.
