And keeping it on anti-corruption measures, earlier this month we told you about the list of parliamentarians and two city councillors who have failed to make filings as required under the Prevention of Corruption in Public Life Act. That requires that persons in public life shall make annual filings with the Commission, of their assets, income, and liabilities. This was previously listed by the Integrity Commission in the October 21st Gazette. And while we've learned that a few parliamentarians and government members have managed to submit their reports, we asked the Minister of public service today for his views on the tardy submission of integrity reports oftentimes by his own colleagues.
Henry Charles Usher, Minister of Constitutional and Political Reform
"I believe that the law is there and the law is clear and certainly when I got that information I sent out a notice to all of our parliamentarians to make sure that they comply with the law. I am happy to report that some of them have already complied and we are working with all the others who are deficient in submitting those reports."
"Both government and the opposition fail to submit their different filings to the integrity commission and I think it's important it's a critical aspect of good governance that you list your assets both, every single year to see so the public knows exactly the work your doing is public work it service in the nation it's not about enriching yourself self it's about serving for common good."
PM Says Everybody Know Where Shyne Lives, And It's Not Mesop
The case brought by the PUP against Shyne Barrow's registration in Mesopotamia continued yesterday in court. While attorneys for both sides are deep in technical arguments, the Prime Minister today appealed to the court of public opinion. He says everybody knows where Barrow lives, and it's not in Mesopotamia.
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"Everybody know where he lives. Everybody knows that he lives by the Perdomo's, you see him most days, at midday, for some reason he has some ritual or habit or whatever that he goes with a short pants, a towel around his back and plunges into the sea, just sit down in there for a minute and then walks back out, everybody knows where he lives so I think it is the right for the people of Mesopotamia to object, for him to, it seems, give wrong information about where he's residing."
Reporter:
"Is he making a mockery of the court?"
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"Of course he is, he does it all the time."
Reporter:
"But he's not the only politician who does not live where his electoral residence is."
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"I don't know about that."
Minister Says LOO Could Face Constitutional Consequences
We also asked the Minister of Public service, constitutional and political reform for his views on Barrow's case between him and the objectors of the Mesopotamia constituency. Usher if the court finds that Barrow has violated the election laws he could also be in violation of the constitution as well:
Henry Charles Usher, Minister of Constitutional and Political Reform
"Well first of all its the objectors of the constituency of Mesopotamia two objectors who said that Moses Barrow did not reside and has never resided at that particular address where he was transferred. He was registered at another address, in Caribbean shores. And for this transfer period all of a sudden he transferred to a new address number 80 King street which also happens to be his political office from what I understand but what I can say is if the court does find that he has violated election laws then he could be in violation of the Constitution as well."
"I believe that the law should be respected no matter who you are if you're breaking the law and somebody takes a claim to court then it's up to you to prove that you did not violate the law and I think this is a clear case that the two objectors are saying that there was a law broken and the chief magistrate who is the adjudicator in this case has taken this matter very seriously from what I understand the case has gone on for about a week and the decision should be given sometime this week and they also went and did an inspection of the property to see that it is livable but I think it's really something that the leader of the opposition has to answer does he still live at the address in Kings park or has he moved to this address because it says very clearly that you have to live at a particular address for a period of time to be able to register in that constituency no that's a question he has to answer."
Jasmine Hartin Back In Belize For Court Date
And in other court news - Jasmin Hartin was back in Belize today. She appeared in San Pedro Magistrate's Court on a possession charge which has been pending for years.
And, again today, it was adjourned. Her new attorney, Arthur Saldivar explained:
Arthur Saldivar, Attorney
"Today we had expected to continue and possibly conclude these matters that were brought against her by the Crown. However, we had no magistrates today so it was all moot, all for naught. Ms Hartin was made to travel from where she was pursuing other legal remedies for her children elsewhere, so she has come back to Belize at great cost to herself."
"That said, we look forward to having these matters be fully ventilated and concluded so that she can have the liberty to pursue her other matters elsewhere without the need to be coming back and forth to Belize to address what can only be deemed as bogus charges."
The case has been adjourned to January 26, 2024 and it is to be held in Belize City Magistrate's Court.
Wrongly Terminated For Mason's Bogus Birth Certificate
Saldivar also received judgement in another case today. That is the wrongful termination of former public officer Lisa Mckoy by the public services commissions and the Belize Advisory Council.
The Court found that she was wrongfully dismissed after disciplinary charges. She had been working at the Vital Stats unit when the bogus Danny Mason birth certificate was issued and she, along with three other employees, were terminated for it.
Today, 5 years later, she was vindicated. She told us how it feels:
Saldivar expects it could take 3 - 6 months for her to get back into the public service system as ordered by the court.
Alergo Allergy Medicine Recalled
In late 2022 and May of 2023, the ministry of Health and Wellness registered over 500 bottles of Alergo Anti Allergy Syrup in the country - only for it to be recalled a few months after the latest shipment due to a cross contamination issue that occurred in the lab where it was made in Pakistan. The Ministry has commenced its recall, collecting as many bottles as they can from the pharmacies in the country before the product is sold and ingested by users. The Chief Drug Inspector at the Ministry of Health and Wellness shared more details today with the media via Zoom:
Depending on the quantity ingested, some of the symptoms displayed by the user one should look out for include nausea, vomiting, and rapid eye movement. The ministry urges the public to contact them at 828-6721 if a person has unknowingly consumed the contaminated Alergo Anti-Allergy Syrup
Tylenol Was Brought In Illegally
In other pharmaceutical news, in October The Ministry of Health and wellness issued a recall of fake Tylenol that had made its way into the country and onto drug store shelves. Today the Chief Drug Inspector gave an update on the removal process of the bogus medicine. She says that their investigations have led them to determine that the fake meds made their way into the country illegally.
