The Senate hearings investigating the Portico Agreement were supposed to. Have had another interesting day of testimony today when former Minister Erwin Contreras was slated to appear before the Select Committee.
But he never did appear - and he notified the Committee that - based on advice - he would not. So, the hearing was postponed. Contreras's testimony is pivotal since he was the one who signed the definitive agreement.
A release this afternoon from the Special Select Committee was basically begging him to appear. It says, quote, "The Committee is most disappointed at this information as Mr. Contreras has already admitted that he signed the "Definative Agreement", which committed the Government and the people of Belize to grant Portico financial concessions worth hundreds of millions of dollars for 30 years. Mr. Contreras is the only person and former Government Minister who can explain why he signed the Agreement. The Committee hereby reaches out to Mr.,...Contreras to reconsider his decision bearing in mind he is being respectfully invited to attend." End quote.
So, what are the Committee's powers to command him to appear? And can he be summoned to appear like a witness in court? Some argue that yes he can, but this is not a power that the Senate has previously invoked.
