It's a young government, but the Briceno Administration has suffered from an inordinate number of media leaks. You see it in the news all the time, documents detailing multi-million-dollar transactions leaked from deep inside the bowels of Belmopan's financial machinery.
And it's been an annoyance to some in public office - we know because we hear befuddled comments all the time - after we find out, for example, that government has purchased a Hilux for the PM's security detail, or that ministers aren't taking the 10% pay cut that they committed to:
Jules Vasquez "It's a Toyota Hilux."
Hon. John Briceno "Yeah."
Jules Vasquez "So, as I understand it, that was purchased to accompany you."
Hon. John Briceno "Well, you know more than I do so congratulations and thank you for letting me know that."
Michel Chebat, Minister of Health & Wellness "I am not receiving vehicle allowance at this time and I am surprised channel seven has not given out my payslip because they have had my payslip since January of this year.Well, you need to show me because I would like to see a copy of mine, I have not seen one yet, so please share it with me."
Hon. Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs "You know this wise man Jules Vasquez was the one who brought that to my attention that I am not receiving these benefits."
But, there it is, full transparency of public monies, in real time, and we even help the ministers with their personal finance.
But, Government wants the leaks plugged. Two days ago, the Fin. Sec sent a memorandum to all senior managers in the Ministry of Finance remind them that all public officers under control should not share any information public with the media. Waight warns, quote, "any persons found to act in contravention of this regulation will be sanctioned," end quote.
