October 30, 2024 - Channel 5 Belize

U.D.P. Condemns Criminal Takeover of Headquarters by Alliance for Democracy

The United Democratic Party’s headquarters saw a significant change on Tuesday morning as supporters of interim leader Tracy Panton took control of the upper floor of the building on Youth for the Future Drive. Access to the party leader’s office and the conference hall was secured after the police officers assigned to the building withdrew from their posts. After the takeover, Shyne Barrow, who has been ousted as leader of the U.D.P., called the actions of the Alliance for Democracy unlawful. In a one-on-one interview with News Five later that day, the embattled politician announced that legal action would be taken against Panton and other alliance members for breaking into the property. A release issued by Barrow’s faction of the U.D.P. says, “The actions of the Panton/Saldivar Alliance are dangerous attacks on Democracy and have created circumstances that could have led to bloodshed. The actions of Panton/Saldivar demonstrate a frightening disregard for the rule of law and an insatiable hunger for power by any means even if criminal or violent. No citizen occupying a property can be forcibly removed by a band of thugs without a Court Order”. Appearing on Open Your Eyes this morning, Panton discussed the takeover, stating that a party trustee had granted full authority to access the building. We begin our newscast tonight with an excerpt from that interview with the interim party leader.

Tracy Panton, Interim Party Leader, U.D.P.

“After the convention on October twentieth, there were some supporters who said let’s go and take over, we have spoken and we need you to be able to operate the business of the United Democratic Party from the headquarters. I have gone on record to say, [the] institution is not the building, the institution is the people and the institution has been in place for fifty-one years because of the people. But the building is iconic, it is symbolic to the United Democratic Party and I was clear in my mind and the leadership team was clear in our mind that we would do things properly and legally. And so, we had done the research, we knew who the trustee of the property was and after the convention, we met wit the trustee to ensure that the trustee would afford us the opportunity to access and occupy the building for the work of the United Democratic Party. And that’s what happened on Monday. We had the full authority to access the building. I believe that the…because most of the people who were out there were delegates to the national convention. The police were there, indeed, but I really felt that the police, in my opinion, operated outside of their authority. The role of the police officers was to ensure that there was law and order and that we maintain the peace and there really was no reason to have, I think I was guarded by twenty-five police officers that day from all different units of the police department.”

Barrow U.D.P. Turns to Courts to Settle Alliance Takeover Issue

When we spoke with Barrow on Tuesday, the Mesopotamia Area Representative shared that he was keeping a cool head and turning to the courts to settle the issue.

Isani Cayetano
“You are no longer with an office at the UDP headquarters because Tracy Panton and her team have effectively taken over the entire building which would include Wave Radio and the Guardian Newspaper. So you are, essentially, evicted from the establishment. How do you, then, proceed to do the work of the UDP, albeit as divided as it is, without having a place to call home?

Shyne Barrow, Area Representative, Mesopotamia

“Well that’s why the courts will treat this matter with urgency, and I am happy that you asked that question. So that’s why we go through the judiciary. I will not allow anyone to evoke an emotional response for myself, or members, which will be dangerous and lead to harm to people. So we must allow the courts to intervene and in the mean time we will continue to make do and continue to engage with the standard bearers and the executive in the best means possible.”

Barrow Says Police Failed; Panton Says They Overreached

Elsewhere in the U.D.P.’s press release, it goes on to say, “The U.D.P. finds the failure of the ComPol to protect against these unlawful acts disheartening. We are reliably informed and he conceded as much publicly that his instructions to the police was for them to do nothing despite the police report filed by U.D.P. deputy Party Chairman, despite live video of Panton/Saldivar operatives breaking and entering the U.D.P. offices, despite admitting to the press that the Alliance needed a court order to take possession of our property”. While the Barrow faction claims that the police failed to secure the property, Tracy Panton argues that the officers acted beyond their responsibilities.

Tracy Panton, Interim Party Leader, U.D.P.

“We are a civilized people, we are a civilized organization. We have dissent, we have our views, but we are a UDP family and I had no doubt that the transition would go as smoothly, under the circumstances.”

Isani Cayetano

“You will forgive me for throwing this in then, it has been described otherwise as a roguish and a thuggish takeover, so to speak.”

Tracy Panton

“I walked through the door [and] there was no breaking down of doors. We went to the headquarters with the proper authority, the documents were served to the coordinator who was in the building, Mr. Ian Jones and the door was opened and I walked in. There has to be…to ensure that there is safety and security of the assets of the United Democratic Party. We, you know, had the locks changed which is something any management would do if we don’t have access to the keys.”

Shyne Barrow on Prominent U.D.P.s, “People change affiliations.”

When asked about the overwhelming support for Panton’s control of the United Democratic Party, Shyne Barrow downplayed the turnout on October twentieth, estimating it at just eight hundred supporters, and insisted that it doesn’t validate Panton’s leadership. Here’s what he said about other members of the party who shifted their allegiance.

Shyne Barrow, Area Representative, Mesopotamia

“People change affiliations, so eight hundred people, U.D.P. supporters, known UDP affiliates, along with other prominent members, does not change the constitution. Out of the forty thousand or thirty-odd thousand people that voted for the UDP, you can’t say that eight hundred people will determine the future of the party. Out of, we had about four thousand people at the national convention last year. So that doesn’t count for anything? I don’t know how eight hundred people gathering makes it official. It certainly says that they have eight hundred supporters that normally support the UDP and may vote for them in the next general election under the AFD banner. If you feel that illegal activities, if you feel that criminal activities, acting outside of the law, not using the law to say, “Listen, we have rights, the UDP is not respecting our rights…courts, let’s set this straight” which is what we are doing now as a party. We are at a crossroads. We could take back the headquarters by force, but I believe that would be irresponsible and dangerous and will lead to people getting hurt.”

Opposition Leader Draws for Mona Law Professor’s Legal Opinion

Today, the Leader of the Opposition called on his international legal connections to support his stance on the ownership of the U.D.P. headquarters. Shyne Barrow held a press briefing with attorney-at-law, Doctor Christopher Malcom, who is also a Senior Lecturer and the Director of the Mona Law Institute Unit. Doctor Malcom, who describes himself as an interested observer in this situation, shared his legal opinion that Phillipa Griffith Bailey does not have the authority to allow Tracy Panton and the Alliance for Democracy to take control of the U.D.P. headquarters through a transfer instrument. According to Doctor Malcom, the U.D.P. is the rightful owner of the property based on the land title.

Dr. Christopher Malcolm, Attorney – at- law

“From a legal perspective the UDP is an unincorporated association and what that means from a matter of law is that the UDP does not have the rights that you and I have or that a registered company for example would have, which enables it to have legal personality. However, not withstanding that it does not have that legal personality and cannot own things in its own name, what typically happens with an incorporated association, they may nevertheless be able to acquire property for their benefit. When that happens, it is ordinarily done by an office holder in a representative capacity, not with the office holder attaining any personal right, but instead doing so for the benefit of the membership of the association. Now, in this instance, as I understand it there is transfer of those premises that was done to the UDP as a body, and I have seen those relevant documents from the register of titles which suggest that those properties are properly owned, at least on the register, by the UDP. Whether the UDP could have owned it or not is immaterial for purposes of what I am about to say. What you cannot do is go behind what is recorded on a public document without a process being engaged to change that. In Belize you Torence system for registration of land, which is title by registration and the position with that is whatever appears on tittle is taken to be accurate unless you are able to go through a legal process to have that position correct. What I have seen suggest beyond the shadow of a doubt is that the legitimate owner of that property is the UDP. As to whether there are legal issues with that or not is a different question, but it is not for any individual to seek to go against what is recorded on the title without the process of the court or some other legitimate body overturning what is there at the moment.”

Jamaican Attorney Weighs in on ADF National Convention

Doctor Christopher Malcolm was also asked to share his thoughts on the legitimacy of the Alliance of Democracy’s October 20th national convention in relation to the U.D.P.’s constitution. Here’s what he had to say.

Dr. Christopher Malcolm, Attorney – At- Law

“There is in fact provision under the constitution that two thirds of the delegates can in fact petition for their to be a national convention but even when you petition the petition has to go through appropriate steps, including for their to be propriety you need to ensure those persons who claim to be delegates are actually delegates. For that reason the stewardship of the party must at all times, the constitution requires that they maintain a record of delegates to ensure propriety because what you don’t want is for somebody to come across the border from Guatemala to having nothing to do with Belize, having nothing to do with a political party, turns up as a delegate and vote. The point is you need to ensure that an unincorporated or any other association that is set up is properly run and the first thing you have to ask is, what does the constitution say. So I am accepting there is no limit on the possibility of other conventions being held on petition and in other instance, in fact the constitution instead also says you can have in the case of an emergency but it says what constitutes and emergency and how must declare an emergency. But, what ever happens your starting point must be what does the constitution say by way of process and was the proper process followed. Nobody is saying, certainly I can’t, that holding a convention outside of the two year process is bad from the beginning. The question is that were the proper process engaged and in a manner they were suppose to be engaged.”

R.O.C Taiwan Foreign Minister Visits Cooperation Projects in Belize

The Republic of China, Taiwan’s Foreign Minister, Doctor Lin Chai-Lung, is on an official visit to Belize. Today, Prime Minister John Briceño welcomed him with a breakfast meeting in Belize City. Afterward, they headed over to the BelCan Bridge on Central American Boulevard. On Tuesday, Doctor Lin Chai-Lung announced that his government has agreed to fund the bridge’s replacement. The delegation then traveled to San Pedro Town to visit the construction site of the Taiwan-sponsored San Pedro-Caulker General Hospital. News Five’s Paul Lopez has the details.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

This morning, Prime Minister John Briceño and Minister of Foreign Affairs Francis Fonseca hosted a breakfast meeting with Doctor Lin Chai-Lung. Afterward, they took him to visit the BelCan Bridge. On Tuesday, during a press conference in Belmopan, Doctor Chai-Lung announced that the Taiwanese government has approved funding to replace the BelCan Bridge in Belize City. Taiwan’s foreign minister got a firsthand look at the rapidly deteriorating structure. The delegation then traveled to San Pedro to visit the construction site of the Caye Caulker-San Pedro General Hospital; a thirty-three- million-dollar project funded by the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan).

Dr. Lin Chia-Lung, Foreign Minister, Taiwan

“One of Prime Minister Briceno’s key policies is to improve health services for the Belizean people. Our president is a medical doctor. He strongly supports this project. So, and after extensive consultations and the preparation by the government of Belize and Taiwan the San Pedro Hospital project was launched earlier this year. Both of our countries understand that health is integral to the quality of life and attack great importance to this project. I am keen to see the construction site myself on this visit.”

In his remarks, Prime Minister John Briceño, noted that Taiwan is one of Belize’s greatest allies. He compared Taiwan’s geopolitical struggles to the border dispute between Belize and Guatemala.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“Our support for Taiwan is unshakeable. It is a strong relationship that we have built for the first thirty-five years. But, it is a relationship that is built on a principle of the right to self determination. If we did not have that opportunity as a country, we would not be here today as a country, because likewise we have a big country. It is not as big as China, but a huge country compared to us, we are at four hundred thousand, they are at eighteen million and for over all these years they have this unfounded claims to Belize. But we are very happy that through diplomacy, through building relationships between both countries, the leaders and leadership that even Guatemala is able to say let us settle this diferendum or the borer peacefully.”

Notably, Belize and Guatemala are the only two Central American countries that are diplomatic allies of the Republic of China (Taiwan). Minister of Health Kevin Bernard was also at the site visit this morning. He shared his thoughts on what the new hospital and Taiwan’s support for this project mean for Belize.

Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health and Wellness

“This new hospital represents progress and the commitment to improving the health and wellbeing of everyone who calls the island home as well as the many visitors who come here. No longer will residents need to travel long distances for essential medical care. From emergency services and maternity care to routine checkups. This facility will provide high quality, accessible healthcare right here in San Pedro. The hospital will be staffed by a dedicated team of doctors, nurses and medical professionals who will work tirelessly to ensure each patient receives the best care possible.”

Belize Rural South Area Representative Andre Perez emphasized how grateful the residents of San Pedro and Caye Caulker are for the support from Taiwan’s government to construct the health facility.

Andre Perez, Area Representative, Belize Rural South

“This hospital will be serving as much as thirty thousand people here in Caye Caulker and San Pedro and it swells at times for the busy season. I can tell you that this building, I am being kept abreast on a weekly basis, that this building is being built correctly, in tune with climate change, building a building so resilient that it will be able to withstand a hurricane. It will take about three years or so and I am keeping in touch so that you will see we are on the foundation being built . The people are very grateful because as we grow, this infrastructure that is growing so fast, the most important component is a hospital and your government, and my government has done the right thing by choosing something that is critically important for this community.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

MIDH Repairs Road Collapse Near Bermudian Landing Bridge

While Taiwan’s Foreign Minister, Doctor Lin Chai-Lung, announced his government’s funding for the BelCan Bridge replacement, over in Bermudian Landing, a team from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Development and Housing had to spring into action today. Incessant rains had compromised a section of the road on the northern approach to the bridge. Minister of Infrastructure Development, Julius Espat, explained that they responded immediately upon receiving the call.

Julius Espat, Minister of Infrastructure Development, Housing

“The guys are on the ground right now dealing with that situation, and we have them once in a while all over the place, culverts that collapse here and there, wear and tear, flooding. We deal with it three hundred and sixty-five days a year, and because it’s raining and the media is a little bit more focused on the situation, which is understandable. But it’s what we do, that’s why we’re here to be able to solve those problems.”

MIDH Holds Workshop on Procurement Procedures

Today, representatives from the Ministry of Infrastructure Development held a workshop with officials from the Inter-American Development Bank, the Caribbean Development Bank, and other international financial institutions to discuss the procurement processes they must follow. The ministry invited the media to share this information. As we learned, there’s a specific procurement methodology in place, whether it’s for bidding on a contract to repair a bridge or road, or for procuring equipment for infrastructural projects. News Five’s Marion Ali stopped by and filed this report.

Marion Ali, Reporting

Major infrastructure projects like the Haulover Bridge are built to last for decades, but to make sure we get our money’s worth, there are crucial steps that need to be followed to guarantee top-notch quality. Today’s MIDH workshop aimed to look at these types of issues.

Julius Espat, Minister of Infrastructure Development, Housing

“The design has to be properly done, so that’s one phase. If you have a good design, more than likely you’ll have a good end product. So, the design phase is very important. The contractor has to be a contractor of experience that has done the work well over time. And then you have your warranty period, where if there’s – some people call it the fixed liability period – there is a time, normally it’s six months, one year, that you can make sure that the contractor takes care of any problem that happens within the contract.”

Douglas Fraser, Head of Procurement, C.D.B.

“Contracts that are high risk, high value, they actually come to the bank for our review and no objection. So, we are intricately part of that process.”

Quality of work is just one piece of the puzzle that lending institutions consider when their partners enter contracts. How contracts are awarded is another crucial aspect. Douglas Fraser, Head of Procurement for the Caribbean Development Bank, says that concerns can be formally lodged if there’s any suspicion of foul play in the awarding of contracts.

Douglas Fraser

“We have a complaints process that’s hardwired into our framework. The complaints escalate first of all to the government here and then they can be escalated to the bank. And we have an independent office of integrity, compliance and accountability that deals with any of the – as you put it – hanky-panky or integrity issues.”

Marion Ali

And are there penalties?

Douglas Fraser

“There are indeed. If an entity has failed to fall foul of the integrity framework, the procurement procedures of the bank, our independent office of integrity, accountability and compliance can actually debar them from taking part in future processes. So, there are real teeth there. and consequences. Um, for integrity violations.”

The Minister of Infrastructure Development and Housing, Julius Espat, explained that today’s workshop was designed to help the public better understand the processes involved. He mentioned that international lending agencies often have such high standards that they had to find creative ways to involve Belizean companies.

Julius Espat

“If the project is in the millions – if it’s a large project, then they will request financial backing to say, all right, you have enough money to be able to do this project. Then they will ask you your experience, how many of these types of projects have you done in the last five to 10 years? And then they’ll ask you for your technical backup. Do you have the qualified personnel to be able to execute a project of this time? If they elevate those requirements too high, then Belize companies will not be able to participate. So, we said all right, after we tried everything, what can we do now so that Belizean companies can participate if you are saying the level is so high? Then we found out that you can partner. So Belizean companies can partner with – maybe a technical Belizean company can partner with a financing group; or an international group that has the financial backing. So that partnership allows a Belizean company to participate, or two Belizean companies; one that’s strong in the financing aspect of it; one that’s strong in the experience and in the technical aspect of it can join together.”

Espat emphasized that the ministry stays transparent with its procurements because that’s what they are held accountable for.

Julius Espat

“If you analyze the process and you follow it and you understand it, then you will realize in which direction that the ministry is going. The ministry basically, when it follows international procurement methodology, we follow a guideline that the international financial institutions provide.”

Espat explains that after the ministry meets the high standards set by international partners, it still needs to get major contracts approved by the House of Representatives before moving forward.

Julius Espat

“Under our constitution that it has to be done, and so apart from this, when we’ve already fulfilled the requirements of the international financial institutions, then we have to then take it to the Ministry of Finance. The Ministry of Finance does their own evaluation and then they send back to us a no objection. Then from there, we have to take it to the Contractor General. And so the Contractor General’s office has to go through that whole process from that lens. Once the Contractor General sends back a no objection, then we send it back to Parliament and we table it if it’s above five million dollars, and so that is stable into the House.”

Marion Ali for News Five.

Sunday Wood Road Gets New Culvert Following Breach

Earlier, we reported on the repair works the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing had to undertake at the approach to the Bermudian Landing Bridge. The relentless rains have wreaked havoc on off-road routes, and the Sunday Wood Road is no exception. Concerned villagers reached out to the media to highlight the issue, prompting reporters to inform the M.I.D.H. Today, Minister Espat confirmed that the matter has been addressed.

Julius Espat, Minister of Infrastructure Development

“We were informed and one of your colleagues from the media informed us and we dealt with it yesterday by six o’clock. The culvert was in already and that’s already dealt with, so we thank the media for informing us. It has one or two areas that the floods damage and that again, you’re dealing with a road that runs through a low-lying area.”