The PCC’s Mandate is Quickly Coming to an End

The People’s Constitution Commission met here in Belize City today as it begins to finalize its work.  Today’s session was closed to the media, but we were able to get a brief interview from Chairman Anthony Chanona for an update.  Here’s what he shared with us.

 

Anthony Chanona, Chair, People’s Constitution Commission

“We have been meeting ever since we finished the public outreach which was back in May 2024, and the process is to review what the people have said and formulating it.  So as soon as that was completed and we are at that stage, we will come to the media and we are saying this would probably be around the eighth of October and present what we have done.  So it’s an important engagement but I cannot go into any details at this time.”

 

Isani Cayetano

“I do know that there was somewhat of an extension given for the work of the PCC to accomplish its mandate.  Where are we with that in terms of being able to deliver on these respective responsibilities?”

 

Anthony Chanona

“Well the public outreach today surprised all of us and it enjoyed tremendous success.  People in Belize actually showed up at these sessions, participated in the call for papers, responded to the text blast and so we were unable to collate all of that information within the eighteen months.  So the law provided for us to apply for a six-month extension and we are now to be finished on the fourteenth of November for a final report.  But we will be producing an interim report with the first draft with all stakeholders so that there is some transparency and validation to the process.”