But, just the morning session alone was bad news for the UDP - because its Deputy Leader was on the stand - denying any knowledge of a man he signed very many land documents for within a short span of time.
Not a good look, particularly going into an election next week - and at a press conference this afternoon, we asked the party brass about the perception of corruption trailing the red party.
Jules Vasquez, reporter
"Sir, this points to corruption within the ministry of natural resources. This he eventually finance the purchase as contracted by your deputy leader in concert with the prime minister, an agreement with the prime minister. Isn't that reason for great concern on your behalf of: a) the integrity of the deputy leader of your party?"
Hon. Patrick Faber, Leader of the Opposition
"You've said a mouthful in your question that it is perception and that is..."
Jules Vasquez, reporter
"In politics perception is reality."
Hon. Patrick Faber, Leader of the Opposition
"That is true. You have agreed that this is not anything that is proven. Like you, I heard some of these things for the very first time this morning and in fact many of the issues were inconclusive."
Jules Vasquez, reporter
"When you heard it were you surprise at the quantum of transactions of the parcels that..."
Hon. Patrick Faber, Leader of the Opposition
"Well anything that you hear, but if it's not the case and there is some kind of explanation or some kind of disputing what has really been presented, then you cannot be alarmed by it and that is clearly what my position has to be this afternoon. If it is what they say then yes we would have to be alarmed, but we don't know that that is necessarily the case and we will do our own internal investigation in the party to see if that was in deed the case. But we must not lose focus as to what the intent of that commission is. They intended to try to prove that there was some fire sale of government assets and to date there have only been 3 serviceable vehicles which doesn't quite constitute a fire sale now does it?"
Jules Vasquez, reporter
"Yes, indeed there are to investigate the same of assets, but if there are contaminated enterprises where lands are involved and then a third party financing is involved. I'm saying that isn't it indicative of how complex the corruption within your government or the government you were a part had become that in fact an investigation into a single transaction immediately involves just on the face of it, immediately involves at least 4 different parties, 5 if you include Mr. Patt. Mr. Patt, Mr. Herrera, Mr. Emil Torres, Mr. Belize Marine and Services and the financier Mr. Kelvin Lee. Isn't that indicative sir that...?"
Hon. Patrick Faber, Leader of the Opposition
"You jumped to a lot of conclusions. Firstly, you want us to believe that in all that happened there that there was some concrete evidence presented to show that those land transactions were used to pay for the vehicle, whether it is for Mr. Patt or Mr. Herrera of whoever and there was no such connection made."
Hon. Michael Peyrefitte, UDP Chairman
"It seems that this morning the commission of inquiry was all about land. I think they mentioned Tacoma about 2 times. Clearly they could not find what they were looking for and they are hoping that they could create enough mess that some of the impression would be given that there was some corrupt activities going on. They have shown none of that."
Jules Vasquez, reporter
"The appearance was made today that you are somehow in concert with Mr. Lee and that the coincidence that he finance the purchase of the Tacoma whose price you negotiated and then second, he becomes the owner of dozens of parcels of land, all of which signed by you transfers and sales and at least 20 of those parcels were transacted either privately or publicly within the month leading up to elections. The perception then becomes that you are in cahoots or some type of enterprise with Mr. Lee. Your comments, sir?"
Hon. Hugo Patt, Corozal North Area Rep.
"I would rather wait until the commission has made its conclusions and then I can comment on that."
And while Patt didn't want to talk just yet - for the PUP, the political timing is exquisite. The UDP party leader conceded that today, but said it is a distraction:
Jules Vasquez, reporter
"Is the timing in auspicious in so far as we are days away from an election and while in deed some of the public sentiment against the ruling party may have soured when the public perceptually see something like this, it says same old UDP, rotten to the core."
Hon. Patrick Faber, Leader of the Opposition
"I agree with you. The government as we have all gone on the record to say already is looking for a red herring. So much is going wrong in terms of their first 100 days. They have not been able to live up to these things. They are trying to say alright don't focus on what we have not done and our failures in such a short period of time, hey look at this; the government had a fire sale of 3 vehicles. That's what they are doing."
