August, 2024 - Channel 5 Belize

High Court Strikes Out U.D.P. P.G. Municipal Election Petition

The United Democratic Party continues to face defeat, even months after a resounding municipal election loss. That is because the High Court has struck out Franklin “Kranka” Polonio’s petition challenging the results of the March sixth municipal election in Punta Gorda Town. The respondents in the matter were Carlos “Obeah” Galvez and Chief Elections and Boundaries Officer Josephine Tamai. In response, Tamai filed an application to strike out the petition, stating that it is an abuse of process and there is no reasonable cause to file an election petition. Polonio argued that the ballots were counted a third time; he was exhausted and did not realise he had signed the overall statement of the polls. He further contended that while he was informed certain ballots were void, neither he nor his agent witnessed the placement of questionable ballots as a separate batch. The Chief Elections Officer argued that the petition was brought under incorrect laws and procedures and that it was inconsistent with the prescribed form of an election petition because Polonio failed to sign the very petition he filed. Tamai further contended that the petition was not supported by an affidavit as is mandated and that it was filed fifty-nine days after the election, as opposed to the ten-day period mandated. As we said, the High Court decided to strike out the petition. Tonight, Carlos “Obeah” Galvez is taking a second victory lap.

Carlos “Obeah” Galvez, Mayor, Punta Gorda Town

“I believe that was a clear initial act of desperation. As I have said over and over that when started counting polling area one, twelve A and those two boxes were counted we had already garnered close to eighty, ninety votes ahead of my opponents. So when all this saying about it is illegal and we have stolen the election, that is misleading information, totally misleading. I must truly say that I am sincerely happy. I know there is a God above and in everything you do you put God first. Of course you need to be guided and I want to applaud and say thanks to the attorney general and all those who have played a great role in ensuring that this claim by the U.D.P., the desperation claim to want to recall for counting, this is nonsense.”

PM Briceño Eats Popcorn as U.D.P. Implodes

Prime Minister John Briceño says he has been eating a lot of popcorn recently. That’s because he’s been watching the chaos happening in the United Democratic Party. Briceño told the press today that he usually does not spend much time focusing on the internal affairs of the opposition, but of late he finds himself eating a lot of popcorn as he looks at the drama unfold.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“We all say that it is important to have a strong opposition. It is a part of our democracy. But they are doing that to themselves, it is not that anybody is interfering. I have been eating a lot of popcorn, watching the drama unfold on television. We never pay attention to what they are doing. We do our work, that the party continues to organize themselves and we are hoping that by the end of August, early September we should have all our candidates in place and that we continue to work as a government and that whenever we feel the time has come to call election that we would be ready and that the Belizean people would agree to give us another mandate.”

Dr. Leroy Almendarez Set As New SSB C.E.O

Prime Minister John Briceño confirmed today what News Five reported weeks ago which was that the new Chief Executive Officer of the Social Security Board (S.S.B.) will be Doctor Leroy Almendarez. Doctor Almendarez leaves BELTRAIDE to head S.S.B. This development comes after C.E.O. Deborah Ruiz announced that she would not be renewing her contract. Her last day is August fifteenth. Ruiz has been employed at S.S.B. for the last forty-two years. P.M. Briceño thanked her for her service and says he is hopeful that S.S.B. can move to the next level under the leadership of Doctor Almendarez.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“Yes, they went through a long process. The post was advertised. First of all, I want to put on record my appreciation to Ms. Ruiz who has been almost all he professional life at social security and the work that she has done over the years at the C.E.O. position. After the lengthy process of advertisement and screening and interviewing they have chosen Dr. Leroy Almendarez who has been

at the helm of BELTRAIDE, who has been doing a fantastic job. While I feel sad that we are losing him here at BELTRAIDE, we are happy that he is going to social security to continue to manage one of the most important institutions in the country with the largest trust fund. The people’s money and to find ways, him coming from the private sector and BELTRAIDE to see how we can find ways to invest that large pool of money. We have about a hundred million dollars. And, if we can’t invest in it then we may have to increase contributions, and we don’t want to do that. I am hoping he can come in and help to take social security to the next level.”

Who Broke Into Dangriga Treasury and Removed Safe?

The investigation at the Solid Waste Management Authority that the Prime Minister spoke of earlier in this newscast is not the only one that is underway over missing public funds. We reported this week that thieves removed an entire safe from the Treasury building in Dangriga. It is a matter that the police suspect strongly involves inside coordination, if not involvement. The meticulous way the thieves went about their deed leads investigators to think they knew their surroundings well and knew exactly what to do to go undetected. The thieves disconnected the power that controlled the surveillance equipment before they entered the office. The amount that was in the safe is still not determined, but Prime Minister John Briceño says he’d like for the police to make an arrest.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“In many instances, whenever you have this kind of, um, of crime or burglaries and robberies in any institution or, or business, most of the time, it’s because there’s an inside job that somebody from within tells them, um, What’s going on? Where could go and so forth. So, um, I’m appealing to the police to investigate and try to find the perpetrator. But at the same time, if it is an inside job for us to try to find who are the people that are giving all this information and when we find them that we deal with them, um, using the justice system.”

Reporter

“Are you able to say how much money went missing.”

Prime Minister John Briceño

“No, I, um, I’ve not been informed. Um, as yet, I probably, I’m, I’m thinking that, uh, they’re probably trying to, to find out and to ascertain the exact amount.”

Benque Town Council Hit With $58 Thousand Dollars Benque Fiesta Loss

The Benque Viejo Town Council has reported a loss of fifty-eight thousand dollars for its recently held Benque Fiesta. The Council’s financial records show that expenses for the event amounted to one hundred and seventy-seven thousand dollars, while it earned just over one hundred and nineteen thousand dollars. The council referred to the loss as a “real shame.” They attributed it to bad weather and a lack of support from residents. Today, Prime Minister John Briceño was asked about it, seeing that it is a P.U.P. town council that made huge losses.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“No I have not been appraised, but in these instances sometimes you don’t have the proper people to do the proper collecting and record keeping. That is very important in these situations and I hope it is not so. But if it is so and you can find the people that are responsible then we need to hold them accountable. Just as important that next year they learn from the errors and mistakes to make sure this is never repeated again.”

Cabinet Approves Major Police Expansion, New Hospital

Cabinet announced today that the Belize Police Department will soon undergo a significant expansion, with two hundred and twenty-five new officers to be recruited nationwide. According to the Cabinet, this initiative aims to open a new precinct in Santa Elena Town and strengthen specialised police units to enhance public safety and reduce crime. On the healthcare front, Cabinet reviewed a comprehensive study by the Central American Bank for Economic Integration on the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. Following detailed discussions, Cabinet endorsed the Ministry of Health and Wellness’s proposal to build a modern, patient-friendly tertiary-level hospital in Belize City. To support economic diversification, Cabinet approved the creation of key positions within the New Growth Industries Unit under the Ministry of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries. This move is intended to strengthen the unit’s ability to manage and promote emerging sectors vital to Belize’s economic growth. Cabinet also tasked the Minister of Sustainable Development with leading a national tree-planting initiative, targeting one million trees over the next five years, focusing on urban and suburban areas. This project may include policy and legislative changes to promote the greening of Belize, including coastal, marine, and terrestrial zones.

Corporal’s Transferred Soon after Incident Involving Another Officer

Transfers for police officers from one district to another normally take place around this time of year, but one transfer has raised the interest of some individuals. The transfer of Corporal Anastacio Uh on August first from San Pedro Town to Belize City is of interest to those who are familiar with the circumstances of an incident that occurred on the island back in July. It came on the heels of an incident on July seventh when the same corporal took a statement from a minor who did not implicate a man who a sergeant of police was seen gun-butting and kicking on the street. The report was that Sergeant Devon Makin was off-duty when he got a report from a minor that two masked men were chasing him. Makin pursued and apprehended twenty-two-year-old Ryan Melendez, and the video that was circulated showed how Makin manhandled Melendez. It turned out that the statement the child gave in no way pointed to him as one of the suspects. Corporal Uh received his letter not long after that, stating that his transfer would have become effective on August first. In it, he was informed that he would gain one hundred dollars in patrol allowance but that he would lose two hundred dollars for jungle and maritime allowance and three hundred and fifty dollars for hardship allowance. When he was asked on July tenth about the incident involving Makin and Melendez, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams explained that Makin was informed that the suspects may have been armed, which required him to take out his own weapon. Williams also said that Melendez resisted kneeling on the ground when he was ordered to do so, and that was when Makin hit him. The commissioner did say, however, that he did not condone Makin pistol-whipping Melendez because the weapon could have gone off and resulted in injury. Williams has since authorised the matter to be investigated by the Professional Standards Branch, upon request from Melendez, who had indicated from the start that he was not one of the men chasing the minor.

Minister of Human Development Acknowledges Misstep in Holding Minors at Belize Central Prison

After a wave of public outcry, the two minors who were placed at the Belize Central Prison under the state of emergency were transferred to the New Beginnings Youth Development Center. Previously, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams told the media that the department was hesitant to place the thirteen and fifteen-year-olds in the youth centre due to concern for the safety of the other minors and the possible influence that they might have on them. On Wednesday, Minister of Human Development Dolores Balderamos-Garcia acknowledged that holding the minors in prison may not have been the favoured course of action; however, she maintains that the government was deliberating how to balance the rights of the children with the safety of the public.

Dolores Balderamos-Garcia, Minister of Human Development

“What was initially reported to myself and the Minister of Home Affairs, Honorable Kareem Musa, is that the young man came from an extremely troubled past and that sometimes the gang leaders and the criminals and the bad people in society, it is easier for them to recruit the very youthful young people as opposed to maybe seventeen, et cetera. And what was reported to us was that there was very serious concern about the not only about the criminal capability of the young person, but also about his risk of being on the street, having been accused of being involved in crime and violence. And so it’s not an apology I’m making today, ladies and gentlemen, but it is a sort of a, an acknowledgement. that we don’t always get it completely, completely right. You know what I felt at the time that perhaps it was better to hear the reports of the police and to make a proper investigation before moving the young person to the New Beginnings Youth Development Center.”

U.B. launches Belize’s First Ever School of Medicine

Belize is advancing its healthcare sector by investing in the education of future doctors. Today, the University of Belize officially launched the University of Belize School of Medicine, offering a five-year program leading to various Bachelor of Medicine degrees. News Five’s Britney Gordon was at the launch to gather more details about this significant development.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

For years, Belizeans have sought medical education abroad in countries like Cuba or Mexico. Now, Belize is stepping up by launching its own University of Belize School of Medicine. Doctor Lisa Johnson, the Dean of the new school, says this marks the beginning of a new chapter for both education and healthcare in the country.

Dr. Lisa Johnson, Dean, School of Medicine

“It shows progress. It shows development. It shows enlightened planning, enlightened leadership. It’s an inflection point in our history nationally, institutionally. And it will be so for certain persons. So it’s, one can view this from a number of different angles, but one, the one that we must view it from is in terms of the country and what it means for the country, how it translates. into the daily lives of each Belizean, no matter where you are in the country, that at some point, we will be producing doctors that will touch all the lives within the country. It’s a tremendous responsibility, but it’s a sign of growth and maturity as a country.”

The five-year program starts at a cost of twenty-five thousand dollars for the first year. To help ease the financial burden, the school will offer several scholarships to top performers in the entrance exam. Additionally, Minister of Health Kevin Bernard announced that the ministry will provide four scholarships for the program.

Kevin Bernard, Minister, MOHW

“What we looked at, because as we had mentioned that we were offering also scholarships, master’s degree in nursing. When we looked at the applicants that have applied, we will, we have the, we have found the resources that we are able to then provide for scholarships for the School of Medicine. And just as we do, and the Ministry of Education who have also supported us through the Ministry of Health. With other scholarships, I think it’s very important that we show our support by that as well, by offering four deserving Belizeans who would want to take on this challenge to become medical professionals in, in and to take up this approach at the School of Medicine here at the University of Belize.”

The launch of the School of Medicine marks a significant step towards building a well-educated and thriving Belizean society. UB President Vincent Palacio emphasised that the program is currently undergoing a rigorous accreditation process to ensure that its curriculum meets international standards.

Vincent Palacio, President, UB

“I have heard some of them their doubts, their questions. That’s why we’re going the accreditation route with an accreditation with CAAM-HP. It will put us at that level, that quality level as our counterparts in the region. So I have no doubt that we could do this. The naysayers, they will join us eventually when they see the, that the University of Belize could run a medical school.”

Classes are scheduled to commence on September thirtieth of this year. Britney Gordon for News Five.

A New Hospital Coming for Belize City

And while the residents out west will have a new public hospital, Belize City will not be left out. Today, Minister Bernard told reporters that the Cabinet has decided on a new tertiary-level hospital to replace the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. The funding for the new facility will come from the Central American Bank for Economic Integration, or CABEI for short. Whether the building will be a one-flat structure, or a high rise is a matter for the powers that be to decide on. Today, Health and Wellness Minister Kevin Bernard told the media that renovating the K.H.M.H. would be costlier than building a new hospital. The only next thing to sort out is the location, but there is already one that’s being looked at.

Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health & Wellness

“K.H.M.H. has served its time, it has outlived its capacity. There is need for us to be a better facility for the Belize District. And so that has been the decision. The ministry supports that a new hospital be built. Whether we build it now at the current location where the old nursing school was, or we look at the new area that is being suggested next to Eleanor Hall building where there is a huge land space that you can build another tertiary hospital, we have to think different. We have to think big; we also have to look at the options, whether the design will be upper floors, or just as what K.H.M.H. is right now. Remember, when you look at other hospitals around the region, in Merida, there’s not only those flat surface buildings, there are high rise hospitals. You just have to put in the necessary amenities for the people with disabilities and special needs but however, we need to ensure that we start to think down the road. We have to start to think for the future that all the necessary service of a tertiary hospital be provided. Belmopan, of course, um, the reason for the tertiary facility here in Belmopan is not just only to, um, support K.H.M.H. currently, but also to ensure that we have a quality tertiary facility that supports the salt. The West and so forth. So, and then likewise, uh, the one in case they believe city will then focus on the North and the Belize district. So it’s a long term plan that we are looking at. Um, and we are hoping that now that the cabinet has made that decision, it goes back to today, who will then come back to us and say, right, this is what we believe the bank can afford to do for, for believes, uh, whether we go to the, to the revision, because from, uh, from my, from the report I got, if we were to you. Um, remodel or renovate K.H.M.H. As I said, it would have disrupted service. It would have even cost more than to build a new facility. So it’s best that we build a new facility while we’re not disrupting service and enhance and bring something better for the citizens of Tbilisi District.”