And when he does sit with the unions, especially the Association of Public Service Senior Managers, one of the subjects that is likely to come up is the attempt to demote Dr Marvin Manzanero. Briceno has a unique first hand perspective on Manzanero because when he co chaired the National COVID Oversight Committee. Dr Marvin Manzanero was one of the key elements in that Committee, and when Briceno stepped down in June, he expressed no ill will towards him. But today he characterised Manzanero and his team as, quote, "stabbing in the dark".
So, what changed? We asked the PM today:
Hon. John Briceno, Prime Minister
"Like that there are people in my constituency where the father died one night and the son died the following morning. So it's something that really scared the heck out of everyone in the Orange Walk District."
Jules Vasquez, Reporter
"So you said that you were seeing people die around you. At that time you were on the national advisory task force and you left in July I believe, you had a press conference at your office, but did you feel then that Dr. Manzanero was spinning wheels and if you did feel that why didn't you expressed it at that time, instead you expressed thanks to everyone."
Hon. John Briceno, Prime Minister
"Jules, you know the answer to that question because I had told you way back my concerns about what was happening in the ministry of health. You know that. So why you ask me that question when you know the answer?"
Jules Vasquez, Reporter
"It's what on the public records, sir."
Hon. John Briceno, Prime Minister
"I was expressing my concerns from early and I did express it to the prime minister back then. I don't think it was for me to be able to say it publicly because I did not want to cause panic. I think I had to act responsibly."
