PM Briceño 2nd Term Cabinet Sworn-In  

Over the weekend, Prime Minister John Briceño unveiled his Cabinet appointments for the new term. While most positions remain unchanged, there are a few noteworthy updates. For instance, three ministers of state now report directly to the prime minister, including two senior ministers. The portfolio of Youth and Sports has been handed over to Minister of Tourism Anthony Mahler, who will be joined by Minister of State Devin Daly. Political newcomer Thea Garcia-Ramirez has been appointed as the substantive Minister of Human Development. Meanwhile, Ramon “Monchi” Cervantes has taken on a junior ministerial role in the Ministry of Education, much to the dismay of his constituency teams. We also heard from Prime Minister John Briceño.

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“It is a lot of work trying to put together a Cabinet that you have some sort of regional balance, ethnicity as best as you possibly can. You have also gender. In the case it is only one and it is very tough. For me one of the most difficult things is Ramon Cervantes, Monchi Cervantes, very highly qualified person and I would love to put him in a position but the problem is we already have three ministers from Orange Walk, and if I do that, I could get into trouble because my colleagues will say one concentrate only on Orange Walk when you become the prime minister for the entire country. So, it is a though process, long hours, and a little bit of concentration. But, at the end of the day it is up to me, I as the leader of the party and the Prime Minister, thanks to my colleagues, I am the one that try to find the right fit when setting up this Cabinet.”

 

Paul Lopez

“When should we expect the CEO appointments?”

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“CEOs should be in place by tomorrow, Wednesday the latest. Many of them are going to stay.”