And now Martinez is parlaying his profile as one of the government's most visible CEO's into politics. Martinez is now being promoted as the new PUP candidate for Toledo East. The only problem is - the existing candidate - Mike Espat - who is the same one who has been there since 1989 - doesn't appear ready to go anywhere.
Martinez - who is CEO in one of the Prime Minister's ministries, seems unfazed by that. We asked him about his political future today:
Osmond Martinez, CEO - Ministry of Economic Development
"You know, there is a process that any person who wants to run for politics will have to go through. One of those is that you have submit an application to the National Party Council. The National party Council will have to accept you."
"So for now I am the CEO of the Ministry of Economic Development. When the time comes to submit and application, I will submit an application. For now, what I have done is I have just tested the social medias and I'm really impressed that I was well-received in my home which the places where I grow within the banana farms and Bella Vista Village. I used to play football in in Punta Gorda with JV United. I played semi-pro with them we won the big league national championship. So I have been very welcome but no at no time we're playing politics at this time at the contrary I'm doing tours to see what are the needs of the people."
Jules Vasquez
"There is clearly you are down there for the town board elections. We know that the slate was having some difficulty. You were a part of a team the Prime Minister sent along with Narda Garcia, along with the Toledo West representative, the Stan Creek West representative. You are a political operator. You can't shy away from it. the opportunity is there. Will you embrace it?"
Osmond Martinez, CEO - Ministry of Economic Development
"No, I'm not shying away from it. At the contrary, I have embraced it, you know. I am a politically appointed officer."
"So, even though the politically-appointed officers within the PSR 2014, which is the public service regulation, speaks that a public officer should not be campaigning. But in reality CEOs don't fall within it because the last time the CEOs received an increase in salary was in 2015, and the unions don t represent the CEOs."
"But I embrace it. I mean I don't have an issue. If the opportunity come to me, I will embrace it."
Jules Vasquez
"But Mike Espat is a factor. Yes, there are reports that ailing and aging health and he is still mighty Mike. He's a hard man to overcome. You would not have his endorsement."
Osmond Martinez, CEO - Ministry of Economic Development
"Well the thing to talk about the endorsement I think is early. I don't think this is the time to talk abut the endorsement because I am not an official candidate yet."
Jules Vasquez
"But in analyzing situation one has to look at the hurdles and the big hurdle in the way is that Mike Espat who is reigning champion of Toledo East going back to 1993, there abouts wants his son to replace him, he doesn't want, Osmond Martinez."
Osmond Martinez, CEO - Ministry of Economic Development
"Well, first and foremost, I have to be clear that there is a lot of respect and admiration that I have for the honorable Mike Espat, and I would never say anything negative about him. Nonetheless, we are not in a, this is not a kingdom where the king passed on the crown to his son or daughter."
"You know this is a democratic country and one that we have champion internationally, and if the times come, let the people decide."
Martinez - who is from the banana belt - says he is one of the founders of Bella Vista village in Toledo East.
