November 12, 2024 - Channel 5 Belize

P.M. Says He Does Not Understand Senate’s Logic

Today seemed like the perfect moment for Prime Minister John Briceño to call for a general election, and many thought he would. So, when the house meeting kicked off with a speech from PM Briceño that felt more like a state of the nation address or a campaign pitch, everyone expected him to announce an election date. But that didn’t happen. We’ll explain why later in the newscast. First, let’s talk about Belize still being without an auditor general, even though the government keeps running. On Monday, the Senate blocked a motion to appoint Deputy Auditor General Maria Rodriquez as the acting auditor general. She would have filled the role for four months while a permanent auditor general was found. However, neither the opposition nor the social partners backed the motion. They argued it didn’t make sense to appoint a temporary auditor general for such a short period. So, they voted it down. At today’s House of Representatives meeting, Prime Minister Briceño was asked about the Senate’s decision. He suggested we should ask the ‘geniuses that voted against it’.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“I think that is a question you need to ask those Senators that voted against it. I cannot understand their logic. It is a flawed logic. The point is that we don’t have an auditor general. We wanted to appoint a temporary one while we advertise and have people to come in and apply for that post. Looking at either in house or outside the service. We do recognize that it is a very specialized skill and looking at it we may need to pay them more than what the serious pays. I think you need to ask the geniuses that voted against that, because we were without an auditor general and the work of government continues. Senator Peyrefitte pointed out that was the same reason Ms. Bradley’s contract was extended and during that time you guys were unable to find a replacement. And What is the guarantee that after the four months one would have been found? There is only one way to find out. So what happens now, you try to put a rush on it? Absolutely not. We are going to go through the four month period and when we find an auditor general that is adequate then we proceed.”

$300,000 Supplementary Not for Early Election Preparations

A couple of weeks ago, the House of Representatives passed a one-point-six-million-dollar supplementary allocation, and the Senate couldn’t do much to change it. Among the line items was three hundred thousand dollars earmarked for the Elections and Boundaries Department, sparking rumors that it was for early election preparations. However, the Prime Minister didn’t call for an election today and dismissed the speculation, saying people are getting worked up over nothing.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“People the get excited over nothing. Remember the three hundred thousand, we had a by election in July and we did not present a supplementary budget to pay for it. So, we had to use other resources. So, we are paying back the monies from what we did, we advanced monies to Election and Boundaries, now we are replacing the monies we used for by elections. And I know the U.D.P wants us to get them out of their misery by calling an election so they can decide who will be the next leader. So we are going to call the election when we believe it is the right time. There is still a lot of work, as I pointed out in my presentation, thanking the Belizean people for that awesome mandate they gave us. We have done a lot but there is a lot more to do. When we say we have reduced poverty by half that does not mean everybody rich, we still have a long way to go. That is the case that we are trying to do.”

PM Says He Will Call General Election “Anytime in 2025”

Any rational person might think the Briceño administration would seize the chance to call a general election while the U.D.P. is dealing with its internal conflicts. However, P.M. Briceño confidently states that it doesn’t matter when the election is held—the U.D.P. won’t win.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“Both sides recognize that they are not going to win. But they believe that once we have the elections things will settle and they can settle their affairs. So they are looking at the elections for that. And, yes if I was another kind of politician I would have called the election six months ago. But it us not about that. It is about doing the work you are elected to do. I take that very seriously and I know sometimes we joke around and whatever, but this is an awesome responsibility that has been entrusted on us. And, me as the leader and the Prime Minister, I cannot be gloating and boast. I am looking and saying, when will be best to hold the election. Yes, I also have to think when will be best so we have an advantage of wining. If I don’t say that nobody would believe me. That is apart of the calculus. Right now we have a lot of work that is why we have said we will not call elections in 2024. Anytime in 2025 we will be able to call the election. That is why I tell everybody get ready, but you should have been ready from day one.”

Barrow and Patt No Show to House Committees

At the last house meeting, Opposition Leader Moses “Shyne” Barrow removed Tracy Panton and Patrick Faber from various House Committees. This left Barrow and Hugo Patt as the only opposition members in over a dozen working groups. However, when it was time for those committees to meet and discuss the bills today, both Barrow and Patt were nowhere to be found. Panton didn’t hesitate to call them out on their absence.

Tracy Taegar Panton, Area Rep., Albert Division

“I think it is, if I can be candid, a travesty, almost a national disgrace. The two members form the opposition side who have been assigned to all committee meetings are not here. And when you silence the voices of the people you silence, and you impact negatively the democracy of the country. You silence the people, and you compromise the democracy of the country.”

Paul Lopez

“Did you or Mr. Faber make any attempt to enter the meetings?”

Tracy Taegar Panton

“No, we did not. It is the prerogative of the leader of the opposition to determine who will sit in house committee meetings and he did not extend that to us. WE try to be very much respectful of the processes in parliament and also we have an opportunity to voice our concerns when the sitting of the house resumes.”

Panton Confident High Court Will Ultimately Rule in AFD’s Favor

While Panton has been criticizing Barrow for missing the House committee meetings, he scored a victory over her last Friday. Following a High Court ruling, Panton and her team have vacated the U.D.P. headquarters. We asked her how confident she is that the court will eventually rule in her favor. Here’s what she had to say.

Tracy Taegar Panton, Area Rep., Albert Division

“I am very confident. I had a very long meeting yesterday with the attorneys representing us in this matter. The interim injunction is temporary and deals with a singular matter, which is the occupation and use of the headquarter. I have gone on record to say and I continue to maintain that the institution of the party is not a building, it is a people who have been a part of this party for a long time who have worked tirelessly for the United Democratic Party.”

Paul Lopez

“What is your interpretation of returning to status quo?”

Tracey Taegar Panton

“What the judge says and certainly you should get a copy of the perfected order, it says limited to the use and occupation of the headquarters.”

Panton Confident of Victory at Polls

With rumors of a general election on the horizon, the big question is whether the U.D.P. can mount a strong challenge against its rivals. And under whose banner will Tracy Taegar-Panton run? We asked her, and here’s what she had to say.

Tracy Taegar-Panton, Area Rep, Albert Division

“I am running for the U.D.P as representative for Albert.”

Paul Lopez

“How do you ensure your name reaches the U.D.P slate knowing that Shyne will appoint another standard bearer?”

Tracy Taegar-Panton,

“Let us see what he does. I have every confidence in the strength of our case. I have every confidence in the will of the people and I will be running in Albert and I plan to run as a member of the U.D.P.”

Paul Lopez

“And with your desire and aspirations what have you been doing to prepared?”

Tracy Taegar-Panton,

“What I have been doing for the last for last nine years, serving the people in the Albert constituency.”

Paul Lopez

“As for the rest of the country and those people support you, I understand you are on a national tour right now, is that to prepare for the next general election?”

Tracy Taegar-Panton,

“Certainly to ensure that our constituencies start readying themselves for when the next general election is called. It is going to be in 2025. Some people predict it will be early. Whenever it is called we will be ready.”

Paul Lopez

“Do you share the view that the U.D.P will not win in the next general elections?”

Tracy Taegar-Panton,

“I absolutely do not share that view.”

P.M. Briceño Celebrates Four Years in Office

Monday, November eleventh, marked the fourth anniversary of the Briceño administration’s election victory. During today’s sitting of the house, Prime Minister John Briceño took a moment to reflect on the 2020 election and how his administration has delivered on its promises. In a half-hour address, PM Briceño covered a wide range of topics, including inflation, poverty, health, education, and agriculture. His language had the tone of a state of the nation address or even a campaign speech. With a general election on the horizon, he seized the opportunity to remind Belizeans of the achievements his administration has made with their support.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“Four years ago, yesterday, the people of Belize entrusted my party the People’s United Party with the task of fixing what at the time was a broken nation. It was an overwhelming mandate. It was not an occasion for wild celebration. It was a sobering experience, because we were trusted with the responsibility to steward this nation through what was essentially the worst of times. Must have been done to right our ship. But, the work continues. Good progress is incremental. Once again, on behalf of our party, the P.U.P, I sincerely thank all Belizeans for the awesome responsibility they have entrusted us. I promise we will never take your for granted or betray your confidence. As you all know 2025 is an election year and we will be once again asking the Belizean people for us to continue to build a Belize where everybody fih win.”

Speaker of the House, Valerie Woods, Announces Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Today, Speaker of the House Valerie Woods shared some shocking news: she has been diagnosed with breast cancer. She broke the news to her parliamentary colleagues just before the day’s session ended. To make matters even more heartbreaking, she made the announcement on her birthday. Despite this, she assured everyone that she plans to continue her role as Speaker, a position she’s held since 2020, although her treatment might affect her attendance. Here’s what she had to say.

Valerie Woods, Speaker of the House

“Members before I put the question to adjourn, I feel obliged to inform members that my presiding over the meetings of this house for the remainder of the parliamentary session may be affected in the coming weeks due to my recent diagnoses of breast cancer. Now while I fully intend to discharge my duties, I hope you can understand that I may have to be absent as I undergo treatment. So it goes. So, thank you for your understanding. And with that, I put to question. All those in favor, kindly say I…those against, kindly say no…I think the I’s have it.”

B.E.L Calls on P.U.C and G.O.B to Declare Generation Emergency

Belize Electricity Limited has alerted the Public Utilities Commission about a looming shortfall in power generation. As a result, the company is urging the commission, through the Government of Belize, to declare a generation emergency. They predict that within the next twelve months, peak electricity demand will surpass the available generation capacity, potentially leading to more load shedding or widespread blackouts. B.E.L has requested that the P.U.C. secure the government’s approval by November fifteenth. Today, we asked Prime Minister Briceño if he believes a generation emergency should be declared.

Paul Lopez

“There are reports suggesting that Belize electricity Limited requested through the P.U.C that the Government of Belize declare a power generation emergency. It is ironic that here we are sitting in a house meeting and only an hour in we lost power.”

Prime Minister John Briceño

“I think it is important that you don’t try to confuse. So don’t ask two questions. Your first question is why do we have a blackout. It is because I am told, I have not spoken to the C.E.O, but Mr. Chebat who is the minister of energy should be informed, that there has been some issue at mojo Hon that is why most of the country was on a blackout, with the exception of Orange Walk and Corozal. Why does two, I don’t know. On declaring the energy, I have not spoken to the C.E.O, but we have had many discussions on this and he has pointed out under the act that we can declare an emergency to quickly get investors to sign up for energy. He believes that if he does that, by the end of next year he could have a sixty or eighty megawatts. I also need to remind you that we have had a discussion with a group of partners that have access to a ship that could bring eighty megawatts. So, for that eighty megawatts to come in to Belize and provide energy during the times when we need it in April, we need to be able to sign a contract with them. To do it you need to sign and emergency. All things equal, there may be or there may not be a shortage in April, May. WE are doing everything in place possible to avoid that.”

Paul Lopez

“What B.E.L is saying is that the next twelve months of generation will not meet peak demands. Are they misspeaking?”

Prime Minister John Briceño

“Definitely not, I am not going to argue with them. They are the experts. I am not the expert. From my view we are trying to see how we can start to generating the process to go as quickly as possible.”

How Much Can Government Lotteries Make on $1,000,000 Raffle?

A cool million dollars is up for grabs in the Belize Government Lotteries raffle! Tickets are already on sale, and the big draw is set for December twenty-first. They’re promoting it as a celebration of the lottery’s one-year anniversary. But remember, the house always has an edge! Despite that advantage, the Cabinet announced in a late afternoon briefing that the profits will be directed to the National Health Insurance (NHI) and other social programs and charities across Belize.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“In this case what we have done is that Boledo is a game of statistics, chance. So, looking at the statistics the people at the Boledo/ lottery believe we can create enough hype to sell more than a million dollars and make money out of it. Imagine paying five dollars and you could potentially win a million, or half a million, or a hundred thousand, depending on how much people win that. For five dollars, people are going for it. I must confess in the U.S. I buy the mega bingo or Power Ball. I pay my two dollars, and you know what, I never check back if I win. But Belizeans know about it. I sure you done buy your number.”