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The Belize Investment Summit opened today on San Pedro. It's a flagship event for the pro - business Briceno Administration – and we'll have all the coverage from there. But, first, the Prime Minister had to run the gauntlet of the press corps who tackled him on a number of issues of burning interest –most prominent among them the alleged misconduct by two of his Cabinet ministers, Andre Perez and Rodwell Ferguson. Perez has taken a leave of absence – while Ferguson's case has not drawn that much attention – other than in political ads.
Basically, both of them have been scandalized by sexting and screenshots – which – while not uncommon in certain circles – is frowned upon because they are Cabinet ministers with a code of conduct.
Today the. Prime Minister wanted to defend them, but couldn't quite muster that and ended up deflecting:
Reporter:
"PM how long will the investigation into minister AndrePerez last? And do you consider that there should be some code of ethics implemented for people in Parliament? I mean, the Opposition now, you've opened yourselves up for criticism from them saying oh when we talk about standards and who belongs here. Look at what your people are doing. There's an ad now in relation to another minister. Minister Ferguson, who seems to have requested nudes in exchange for favors and benefits."
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"I think that is something that everybody needs to take a look not only elected officials, but even citizens. With the change in social media where it makes the the exchanges of these of personal messages and and personal pictures that can be made available at any moment. I think everybody needs to be careful. I don't think that the the UDP has any moral standing to be able to to call out anybody because they need to start by looking at the mirror and then after you clean your house and fix your house, then you have every right to be able to to criticize but it is, something that our society as a whole needs to take a look at and to to realize that these telephones whilst they are a good tool for good, it can be used also for bad"
Reporter:
"But at what point does actions become unbecoming of a cabinet member or a Parliamentarian, in the context of these images and these types of conversations we're talking about here?"
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"I think we need to be careful how we handle this, all of us and you also, the media included, because many of you are not without sin. So it is we we need to be careful while we set the standards on being the morality police. But, yes, I believe but I believe that which we believe. But it doesn't matter."
"You provide a good a common good to the country by providing the news. So you also have certain ethical standards that are expected from you. But we're not going to argue about that. The point that I'm trying that I'm making or that we need to make is that we need to know and really start to talk about setting of some standards."
"That has not been done, and especially when it comes to the use and misuse of social media that we all have a responsibility and also to be. I am an example to say to the rest of the country. But at the same time I see this very carefully because we are also human beings, we have a private life, and that if you are doing something with somebody privately, it should remain private and it should not become public unless you're doing something illegal. And as so, I think I want to leave it as."
Reporter:
"Is the absence unpaid?"
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"Yes, it is."
Reporter:
"Well, Mr. Ferguson also be investigated in this light."
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"Well, I don't know yet because I have not seen it, and then I have not spoken to him as yet. So I'm after the investment summit. I will sit down and start to take a look and see what what is there. I mean, so and so should we also condemn the Leader of the Opposition for his behavior? I mean, so, you know, you need to it you need to draw a line somewhere. And that is what I'm trying to make."
Reporter:
"Is there a timeline for the investigation by the AG?"
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"Well, we did not set a timeline, but I expect within the next few weeks, I think the Attorney General can report to Cabinet, if that to see if there were any laws that were broken."
