This afternoon, News Five spoke with Cyril Garcia who says he’s disappointed with the outcome his application.
Cyril “Uruwei” Garcia, Political Aspirant, P.U.P.
“My reaction was, you know, it was a fifty-fifty that I was expecting the type of response that I got, but if I should choose one word, it‘s disappointing because it came without any kind of reason whatsoever. To me, it was quickly drafted up and said, “here.” You know, so, to say the least, I was disappointed.
Isani Cayetano
“Now when we spoke with you on the day of your application being submitted, you kind of alluded to the fact that you wanted this to be a very clean and open process under the tenets of democracy. What made you feel as though perhaps there was something working against you?”
Cyril Garcia
“To be honest, I’ve been going around talking to different people and I have advisors, people who counsel me, people who advise me and I have learned over the couple of weeks that we are, our people, Belizeans, we think within a certain frame of politics and it’s hard to see outside of that. So, as I am going around and talking to different people, I am learning more and more and what I’ve been seeing and hearing the most is that the information that is being given is that you have one set of rules and people tend to make calculations within a certain boundary, nobody seems to want to get out of the box and challenge the powers that be.”
The People’s United Party’s executive rejected Deputy Mayor Allan Pollard’s application to challenge sitting Port Loyola Area Representative Gilroy Usher in a convention. Pollard is a three-term Belize City councilor whose candidacy in the Queen Square Division failed in the 2020 general election. He had his eyes set on Port Loyola for the 2025 general election, but his party executive is saying, not so fast. Today, we spoke with Francis Fonseca, a senior member of the party who was in that party executive meeting last week Thursday when the decision was made. Here is what he told us about what went down inside that meeting.
Francis Fonseca
Francis Fonseca, Cabinet Minister
“I think all of us in the party at every level, I know from the leader down, all of us think very highly of Allan. We view him as a very promising young man but there are processes that must be followed in the party. there are structures in the party for a reason. So, people are allowed to apply but then that goes through a vetting process and the national executive is the final step in that process. So, to be the national campaign committee, the vetting committee that made the decision, that they recommended to the national executive that Gilroy usher be the only candidate for Port Loyola. And the national executive accepted that recommendation. That does not mean the party thinks any less of Allan Pollard. He has been a dynamic young candidate for the P.U.P. at the location election level, the city council level. He has topped the polls so we are very proud of Allan so all of us have supported him every way we can. It was the consensus view, certainly not everyone, but the majority agreed that at this time it was best to allow the current area reop who was just elected for the first time in 2020 to build on the success that he has had in Port Loyola.”
Reporter
“Did you support Pollard’s candidacy?”
Francis Fonseca
“I accepted and supported the recommendation of the committee and the vetting committee which supported Gilroy Usher not being challenged.”
So, what does the P.U.P.’s decision to reject Allan Pollard’s application for Port Loyola say to Belize’s youth population. Pollard is viewed as a young and promising politician by many, while there are ongoing conversations about the need for the P.U.P. to bridge its generational gap. We heard from Minister Fonseca.
Paul Lopez
“What message do you think this decision is sending to young people and do you agree that there is a generation gap that needs to take place? The P.U.P. is being defined as an old man’s party.”
Francis Fonseca, Cabinet Minister
“None at all, we have wonderful young people in the party working for the P.U.P. IN the city council here in the Belize City we had dynamic young candidates representing the P.U.P. including Allan, but many others, including Kaya Cattouse, Malcom Nunez, many others Eluide Miller, these are dynamic young people who are proud to be members. All the work we are doing is about engaging young people, I know all the work I am doing in education and culture is about engaging with young people, providing more opportunities for young people, so I think people understand that and I think young people understand that they have government in the P.U.P. government in the office that is absolutely committed to their upliftment, absolutely committed to providing greater opportunities for them whether it is jobs, education, housing, land, on all those fronts we are doing everything we can to provide opportunities for young people. In the case of Corozal Bay, that was a recommendation of the process we have in place, recommendation of the vetting committee the national executive accepted that recommendation. We have these structures in place for a reason and so that was what they recommend, and we accepted.”
The Freedom of the Press refers to the right to report news or circulate information without censorship from the government. In a democratic society, the media, often described as the fourth estate, carries the mandate of holding governments accountable. However, in a recent cabinet meeting, a piece of legislation was approved for submission that seeks to criminalize the unauthorized publication or disclosure of videos, photos or statements that are part of an ongoing criminal investigation, which may endanger the lives of witnesses or compromise the integrity of an investigation. If approved, will this legislation hinder the freedom of the press in the country? How will this affect the landscape of reporting in Belize. News Five’s Britney Gordon explores those questions in this week’s Five-point Breakdown. Here is that report.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
The role of the media is to relay accurate information to the public, acting as a forum for the discussion of important issues and to point a critical lens at the government and other institutions. It is through the media that the public becomes aware of the daily injustices occurring around them that would otherwise fly under the radar. In a recent case, a video depicting a child being abused by his stepfather was circulated online, sparking public outrage. The police were swift to apprehend the perpetrator, who was prosecuted by Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams. Every day, videos, pictures, and testimonies with stories like these are shared to the media with the intention of creating a mouthpiece for the truth.
THE ROLE OF THE MEDIA
Chester Williams
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“I can’t say what I want to say publicly but when I first saw the video, the first thing came to my mind was, is this really Belize? That’s the first thing that came to my mind. And then the next thing that came to my mind, is this actually a person? Is this person a man? I don’t know, but the level of abuse that thing I put for that child is disgusting and it should be condemned in its greatest term. No child should be subjecting to such abuse.”
However, there is a change looming. Recently, the cabinet approved the submission of legislation that seeks to criminalize the publication of videos, photos or statements that are part of an ongoing investigation. Minister of Home Affairs Kareem Musa said that this legislation aims to protect the lives of witnesses and avoid compromising ongoing investigations.
THE LEGISLATION
Kareem Musa
Kareem Musa, Minister of Home Affairs
“Like I said, many times these things make their rounds on social media and mainstream media even before police officers arrive at the scene. And so we have to be very mindful and understanding of that because yes, the media is smart enough to know that particular video will be the subject of a criminal investigation because you can see the perpetrators in that particular video. But I think move, like I said, moving forward from the point of an investigator coming on the scene and investigating a particular crime. If it is that video footage is a critical part of the evidence forms a critical part of the evidence, then a classification will have to be made on a notice put out to the media and to other individuals that this video ought not to be circulated.”
The announcement of this legislation raised eyebrows among several members of the media, who use these videos to tell the stories that the public have the right to hear and see. Former police corporal Elmer Nah will stand trial for a triple-murder committed in 2022. The New Year’s Eve incident swept through the nation, as there was surveillance footage capturing the moment just before the deadly shootings occurred. Without this footage, much of the story would have been lost. Several in-house systems already exist within media to avoid compromising ongoing investigations. Isani Cayetano, Channel Five’s News Director, shares his concerns about the proposed classification system.
A CAUSE FOR CONCERN
Isani Cayetano
Isani Cayetano, News Director, Channel 5
“The primary concern that I would have and I would presume that my colleagues in the media would have is one, the protection of sources, particularly when they provide sensitive information to us for our respective newscasts or for the publications that are either weekly or biweekly. I think being able to have the kind of confidence in our sources and the ease for them to be able to share information with us is paramount. When you look at what the proposed amendment seeks to do, the question is whether that impinges on our freedom to exchange information.”
This concern is reaffirmed by News Director Jules Vasquez, who says that it is something that must be carefully examined before it is approved.
“It does portend to have a chilling effect because once you penalize the dissemination of information, especially pictures and video, you are starting to get into a very, to me, a very shady area or a very suspect area that could have an effect or could act as a fetter on the freedom of the press and anything that threatens to do that. We have to oppose my specific concern with it is that many times we receive videos or surveillance videos or pictures of certain crime situations. And you know, you operate in a newsroom we use our very deliberate judgment to protect witnesses, to protect children, to protect the innocent, et cetera.”
PROTECTING CITIZENS
Ensuring the safety of the public is a primary concern for the media which is why there are regulations set by the Belize Broadcasting Authority. Louis Wade, who sits on the board, told us that the problem is not solely with the media.
Louis Wade
Louis Wade, Board Member, Belize Broadcasting Authority
“When the media looks at a particular story, most of the journalist are already trained on how to put that story forward to ensure that we do not tamper with any process that is in the court or we do put the life of witnesses at risk. However, the media plays a very important role on behalf of the government or police, but on behalf of the people because the people have a right to know.”
FREEDOM OF THE PRESS
Belize’s constitution currently does not include a freedom of the press act, but the does protect the freedom of expression which permits the communication of ideas and information without interference. However, it further states that provisions are made to protect the lives and rights off those involved with legal proceedings. Darrell Bradley, attorney at law spoke with us about how a legislation like this can be drafted without infringing on the freedom of the press.
Darrell Bradley
Darrell Bradley, Attorney at Law
“There’s nothing in principle that is wrong with wanting to protect witnesses and wanting to protect information that may damage or cause any kind of safety concerns to a particular witness. But you want that to be limited because you want to ensure that the laws are not used in a way that would promote censorship.”
We told you about the Ministry of Home Affairs plans to amend the criminal code, criminalizing the dissemination of photos, videos, and statements that make up part of a criminal investigation. Last week, Minister of Home Affairs, Kareem Musa sat down with the media to explain what the intentions of the legislation are. This, however, was not received well, as many members of the media fear that that the amendment imposes on the freedom of the press. This concern was reaffirmed by the opposition earlier today, which released a statement condemning the amendment. Minister of Minister of Foreign Affairs, Francis Fonseca was asked about the amendment, which he agreed, was a cause for concern.
Francis Fonseca
Francis Fonseca, Minister of Foreign Affairs
“I think it came obviously from the Ministry of Home Affairs. The minister, I think is obviously best place to respond to that question. I know we had a discussion about it in cabinet. I raised the issue of the press, freedom of the press and what impact it would have on the press and the minister assured me that he felt comfortable that it would not and that certainty that there would be an opportunity, if any issues arose, in terms of concerns from the press that he would make an effort to address those issues. So I’m comfortable with that at this point. But I think it’s legitimate for the press to be concerned about that issue, I think it’s justified. Because your job is to ensure that there is accountability, transparency, you want as much information as possible in good faith.”
From the Belize Central Prison to primary schools across Belize District, the RACHEL Project, through the Rotary Club of Belize, is impacting the way children and adults learn. After successfully executing the project within the prison walls, with the help of the Ministry of Education, the Rotary Club of Belize identified eleven rural schools to roll out the program. Those schools underwent a series of training courses on how to effectively utilize RACHEL to achieve the best results. Today, all eleven schools received RACHEL devices and a host of other equipment to improve the learning experience in their classrooms. News Five’s Paul Lopez was at the launch event today. He filed the following report.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
Eleven primary schools from Belize District have received the necessary training and equipment to enhance basic education and literacy in their institutions. RACHEL stands for Remote Area Community Hotspot for Education and Learning. The Rotary Club of Belize first launched the RACHEL Project at the Kolbe Foundation.
Katherine Meighan
Katherine Meighan, President, Rotary Club of Belize
“Under the Rachel Project it is tech oriented of course, so what we have is complementary tech. First and foremost they will get a RACHEL device and that device is loaded with applications to help them with literature, with making sure the kids understand and have the tools for reading for phoenix, etc. and also fun stuff, it could be sewing, crafting, building a robot as another example and then alongside that RACHEL device we also have Chrome books and headsets to complement the Chrome books so that as the kids are utilizing the Chrome books they can listen and focus in. We also have a TV and sound bar as well so that the RACHEL programs can be projected into the classroom as well.”
As the name suggests, RACHEL devices connect to a network of lessons remotely. This serves as a game changer for educational institutions in rural communities with limited internet access. Each school has received the relevant training and is preparing to implement RACHEL devices as part of their curriculums.
Anne Pook
Anne Pook, Teacher, Belize Rural Center
“The first thing I did was explain what we learned at the workshop to the different teachers and students. I took them in and explained the different module on the RACHEL. Also for my students you know that students learnt differently and some are motivated and laid back. This particular student who is not motivated to write and pay attention but when I took them in I said we are going to do a little research. He was the first one to take hold of the laptop and he wanted to be the boss in the group. After that everyday these students would ask, miss are we going to use the laptops tomorrow? At the end of everyday they want to use the laptop. They look forward to using it. Our school we are very appreciative of the RACHEL and the laptop, the kind donation you all gave us because our students are motivated.”
According to Anne Pook, her students are more motivated to learn reading and writing. With the success of the RACHEL Project inside the Belize Central Prison, the Rotary Club of Belize continued its partnership with the Rotary Club of Port Moody, Canada.
Brian Wormald
Brian Wormald, Port Moody Rotarian
“With the wonderful work we have done in the prison let us get into the schools and before we went back to Port Moody we had a meeting with the Ministry for Education and Technology. We needed to get them on board we needed them to see the power that was in their grasp. They were only too happy to get on board. All we asked is that they nominate the schools that get picked. We figured we would have enough connections to get funding for ten schools. So before we went back we tasked the Ministry for Education to come up with those ten schools. WE had no idea of the priorities they did. They came up with that list and we worked on that.”
Katherin Meighan
“With these devices they are able to offer many different complementary tools outside of what they already have. Because in most cases they had a teachers desk that would have access to the internet. Now it is much broader and wider reaching for these kids in the classroom themselves.”
Today, all eleven institutions were able to walk out the door with their devices, ready to implement in summer programs and the new school year. There were also donations of children’s storybooks and equipment for the National Fire Service. The goal is to introduce the RACHEL Project to every school across the country.
Brian Wormald
“As a lofty goal to roll the RACHEL Project out to every school in the country. It is a very lofty goal and I for one plan to be a part of the project as long as I can be, as long as I am alive and as long as there are fabulous people in Belize welcoming us so much.”
Sixty-three Belizean students are embarking on their path to success with the help of the Pathlight scholarship. This morning, those students gathered at the U.W.I campus where they received their certificate to commemorate the achievement. This year’s recipients hail from various parts of the country, including Belize, Orange Walk, and Cayo districts. The scholarship will provide students with all the materials necessary to complete their studies, as well as the guidance to encourage them along the way. News Five’s Britney Gordon attended the award ceremony this morning to meet the happy scholars. Here’s that story.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
Twelve-year-old ZImani Usher wants to be an astronaut and twelve-year-old Eriston Usher wants to be an attorney. These children are just two of sixty-three students who are one step closer to achieving their dreams. They are the recipients of the Pathlight Scholarships. Luwani Cayetano, C.E.O. of Pathlight, shares her pride and excitement for the graduating scholars.
Luwani Cayetano
Luwani Cayetano, C.E.O., Pathlight
“They’re looking smart. They’re extremely smart. They’re funny. They’re exciting. We have students who are coming into high school and then we have students who recently graduated who will also be remaining with us doing their associates degree. Bachelor’s degree. So it’s a mixture of students. And it’s just wonderful. It’s wonderful that we get to serve them. It’s wonderful that they get to be a part of transforming our nation. And for us at Pathlight, what we want is more Belizeans to get involved with us.”
Sixteen-year-old-Destiny Requena is not only a second-time Pathlight recipient, but also the valedictorian for the Class of 2024 at Edward P. York High School. Her journey with Pathlight has been enjoyable.
Destiny Requena
Destiny Requena, Scholarship Recipient
“My experience at Pathlight has been nothing but the best. I couldn’t ask for a better scholarship program to be enrolled in. It has been four beautiful years for me. I’ve developed myself all around because I’ve developed spiritually, I’ve developed academically, I’ve been able to meet new people, network with other people. I’ve been able to have multiple opportunities to go outside the country and build myself overall as a leader in Belize. So it has been a beautiful experience to me thanks to Path light.”
The Pathlight Scholarship assists students with tuition, uniforms, books and transportation. Erica Joseph, Sponsorship Plus Director at Pathlight, says that the scholarship is highly competitive, but the team carefully selects recipients based on performance and need.
Erica Joseph
Erica Joseph, Sponsorship Plus Director, Pathlight
“The process is a very stringent one the scholarship is a very competitive one. So we got over three hundred applications this year just for the start of high school. And out of that, we were only able to select forty-four. Our main criteria for selection looks at the student’s academic potential and their families having that high financial need in order for them to get and complete their high school journey. The application process for the continuing students is more internal because we want to continue on with students that are already in the Pathlight program and who have shown great motivation and their potential to succeed. To go further and to do more. And so we want to continue with them through that.”
Pathlight hopes that by opening the door for these students, they will be able to step into a world beyond what they ever thought possible to achieve. Christian Heckley, Executive Director of Pathlight International, tells us more about the goals of the organization.
Christian Hoeckley
Christian Hoeckley, Executive Director, Pathlight International.
“As is well known, education is one of the most important foundations for a country to continue its development. So we see this as an opportunity to support Not just these beautiful students and their families, but really the entire nation of Belize. We hope that we are educating the next generation of leaders in Belize. We’re certainly developing young men and women who will be fantastically productive citizens for Belize. It’s a beautiful thing for me to be a part of.”
For this year’s cohort of students, the journey with Pathlight has only just begun, but twelve-year-old, Priya Talreja is already excited and also encourages other students to shoot for the stars.
Priya Talreja
Priya Talreja, Scholarship Recipient
“Go for it. Try to do your best, try your absolute best to try to get into this organization. It’s a great organization. What they are giving in this scholarship. It is a great organization. The mentors and the workers and the faculty over there are super nice. I’ve been there before. They’re super nice. And yes, I would encourage you to try to join the Pathlight community and don’t ever doubt yourself.”
In the wake of the wildfires that destroyed thousands of acres of land during the past few weeks, hundreds of families are still suffering from the damage inflicted to their property and livelihoods and are struggling to get back on their feet. Considering this, the European Union has announced support for the victims of this disaster. The E.U. offered to provide Belize with up to one hundred and seventy thousand Belize dollars in humanitarian assistance. This aid will support two hundred families affected by the wildfires, primarily farmers who have lost their crops. The assistance, channeled through the Belize Red Cross, will facilitate the provision of health, water, sanitation services, and cash assistance to those in need.
The beginning of June marked the start of the rainy season and now, nearly three weeks into the month, the rains are finally here. Earlier today, the City Emergency Management Organization, released a notice informing the public to remain cautious as Belize is under strong thunderstorm watch. The notice warns Belizeans that six to eight inches of heavy rainfall is expected in some areas, while up to ten inches is anticipated in others. Consequently, low-lying and flood prone areas are predicted to flood. People living in those communities are advised to remain vigilant and stay updated with alerts from NEMO, CEMO and the National Meteorological Service. Commuters are advised to remain cautious while travelling.
Last week, the Joint Unions Negotiation Team signed a Commercial Bargaining Agreement with the Government of Belize after almost two decades of negotiations. One of the sticking points in the negotiations was Proposal Twenty-two which sought to have the Government of Belize pay one hundred percent of the salaries for all teachers, including those in government aided schools. Well, that hurdle was crossed, and the C.B.A. was signed. But, with its expiration date quickly approaching, will the Briceno administration have the same political will to address some of the more complex matters that will arise. We asked Minister Francis Fonseca when we caught up with him earlier today.
Francis Fonseca
Francis Fonseca, Cabinet Minister
“Very simple, political will. That was the only obstacle. I am proud of the fact that our government had the political will to do it. It is not cheap or easy but from day one I have been an advocate for resolving this issue. I felt it was an unjust state of affairs where teachers in grant aided institutions were not getting their full pension after you work for thirty, thirty-five years you were only getting seventy percent of your pension benefits. That was unfair, unjust. So I went to Cabinet. It was a part of the C.B.A. But I went to Cabinet and tabled a proposal on how we could meet that issue. We would meet some of the cost out of our existing budget and then the ministry of finance would supplement that with the additional funds necessary. So over a five year period it would amount to about sixty-eight million dollars. So we believe that is an absolute fair and just cost to settle this issue for the benefit of our teachers, the support staff, everybody, the librarians, secretaries, everybody, watchmen, security guards, everybody will benefit form this proposal; I am very proud of the fact that Cabinet ministers supported it fully when I tabled it and the ministry of finance and the prime minister supported it and we were able to get it done after twenty years.”
Paul Lopez
“With the C.B.A. expiring only a few days from now, do you know if there will be that same political will where tax reform and pension reform conversations are concerned?”
Francis Fonseca
“Absolutely, I think it is understood. Even before we finalized this current C.B.A. wee had discussion about tax and pension reforms with the joint unions. I think there is general consensus that these are issues we have to fix and resolve for the long term benefit of the Belizean people. There is good will and good faith and I look forward to these discussion.”
