The receiver for the Port of Belize, Arturo "Tux" Vasquez argues in his injunction application that government had to go to Parliament before disbursing the funds. Well, it's clear the government will not do that - since the monies have already been paid out. We're told government simply issued a warrant for the expenditure - as is the practice - which gives them three months to seek parliamentary approval.
This morning the PM alluded to such a possibility::
Hon. John Briceno, Prime Minister of Belize
"What we will do is we will also include it in the budget. You know that the legislation it is about payment over 5 million dollars, so that 1.5 million dollars will be included in the new budget, yes we will pay it in advance because we felt that it was something that needed to be done and at the same time be able to ease the tensions that were taking place at the Port of Belize. We wanted to make sure that we can settle that without any sort of bloodshed or any kind of violence. We have to follow the law. but I think it is unfortunate that the PBL has decided to take this route."
