And while all the political energy was centered in Belmopan today, that's where the Association of Beneficiaries and Retired Public Officers were - again.
One year ago, on a sunny budget day much like today, the association protested just outside the National Assembly. But after all that, they still didn't get what they wanted.
These beneficiaries are owed 8 million dollars in back pay from 1995. They were to be compensated with the proceeds of BTL share dividends but have yet to receive those monies. Many of them have passed away without seeing a cent, which is currently in the hands of the Public Service Workers Trust. That money is being used on various projects, including a "grocery bag" program, which is given to the association members.
But they say they don't want handouts, they want the money that's rightfully theirs before they get to their deathbeds.
So once again, they called on the PM to help settle the matter. Courtney Menzies was there today and has this story.
Two days short of a year ago, the Association of Beneficiaries and Retired Public Officers protested on the National Assembly steps outside of a House Meeting.
And today, it was like deja vu. The members of this association brought their banners and signs out once more to let the prime minister know that they haven't forgotten about his promise.
The ABRPO was formed in order to ensure that former public officers who endured a wage and increment freeze almost 30 years ago were compensated. The money they should have received is now under the control of the unions and the Public Sector Workers Trust.
And just like one year ago, the members of the association say: dissolve the fund, and give us our money now.
Hubert Eriquez, President, ABRPO
"Last year, the prime minister did come down from the National Assembly when there was a similar meeting and indicated that the government would assist in supporting this effort by indicating to an Appeals court that the government is supportive of the effort made by this association but he also did commit as well to ensuring that the projects or that the PSWT does not carry out anymore projects and that he was going to get his attorneys to ensure that the PSWT in effect seize it's operations to a certain extent and so one year hence, nothing has happened. We've had two meetings with people in authority but we're still at the same position. and in fact it is even more dire because time is of essence, we have no time, lots of beneficiaries are passing away in numbers and so really it's an urgency of time."
Enriquez says that in the last 2 to 3 years alone, about 200 beneficiaries, out of a total of 8,000, have passed away.
And it's not just about getting the money before they can no longer use it, but Enriquez also told us that they have evidence that those in charge of the fund have been mismanaging it.
Hubert Eriquez, President, ABRPO
"What we know is that based on the last audit that there has been a blatant misappropriation of funds by writing over $100,000 in funds that are for beneficiaries and are given to the union. Now, these trustees are appointed by the union so it seems to be a blatant act of perceived corruption."
"We want to impress upon the prime minister, the government is the settler, they have the authority to reconstitute the board of trustee or have an interim board so that it would lead towards the dissolution of the trust because what we really want to see if the trust dissolve and the funds be paid to the beneficiaries who are owed these funds for over 27 years."
And last year, the PM promised that the government would set up a meeting with them after Easter.
Well, much, like then, Briceno descended the National Assembly steps flanked by a phalanx of security, armed with a similar promise - only this time, the protestors had already been bitten once.
However, he explained to them again that there was only so much the government could do since about 600 of the retired officers have a lawsuit against the leadership of the PSWT.
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"Whosoever it is, if these people could withdraw the case then we could wind it down and at the same time I believe we could do whatever investigation to see if any monies were misspent, but right now, I agree with you, especially."
"I know some of you need the money now, we done get of age, we get sickly, so we want to wind it up so that you could get your money but it's in court so the people who are taking the trustees to court, if they withdraw that then we could set it up then at the same time we could also have an audit done so that if there was any wrong down, people could be held accountable, but it's in the court."
"What I need, if you could appoint a three or four of you for us then to meet with the attorney general and then the attorney general will take his time and explain to you the steps how we can go about doing that, you have our support."
Protestor:
"PM, respectfully, you asked us to do that last year, we did. You know how many meetings we had? One meeting with Minister Usher, one with the deputy AG, we keep asking and these people don't want to meet with us."
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"Right now I will promise you after the Easter break - I am saying I will be in that meeting, I will call the attorney general, I will call Minister Usher and then you bring three or four of you and let us work it out, what are the steps that need to be taken to get done what you want."
Protestor:
"PM you know what I will be honest with you, respectfully honest with you, if you don't take charge nothing is going to happen."
John Briceno, Prime Minister
"I will take charge."
Protestor:
"You have to take charge, sir."
Protestor:
"I will take charge. I will do that."
And now, much like last Easter, the association members will spend the long weekend waiting with bated breaths.
We'll see what happens between now and March of 2025.
