Back in the 80's - we recall hearing the term "ministers without portfolio" - but in 2023, it's the first we're hearing of a "CEO without portfolio." Such is the fate of Marconi Leal Jr - he's on the out's at the Ministry of Transport, Youth and Sports, but his father is a PUP rep - and he's also a contract officer - so he can't just be dismissed.
And then, there's the ministry he left behind - currently that's a Ministry without a CEO - another first.
Today, the Prime Minister seemed to have had some difficulty in couching all of this administrative chaos diplomatically:
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"I think that's an overblown issue. Um, I don't think there's a real issue between both, both gentlemen, but the concern, the issue is that, um, CEO Leal remains as a CEO and he will continue to be a CEO in our government."
Reporter
"Sir, but is he going to move over to another ministry or, and, uh, and then you bring in a new CEO for the..."
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"Well, that, that has not been finalized. Um, that may happen, but we don't know as yet. We, we still, um, CEO Leal has been on holiday, I mean, he, he hasn't had a holiday literally from the day he got in, he was appointed as CEO. It's, it's something that I have to discuss with him and the minister. And certainly we have a work, we have a lot of work all over. So, um, we do know that he will remain as a part of the team."
So, being "a part of the team", we take to mean that Leal stays on salary from the public purse while the government tries to find a suitable place for him in the BLU machine.
