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Last night's TV news on Channel 7, Channel 5, LOVETV, PGTV, West Vision (Cayo) and CTV 3. Also with the most recent Open Your Eyes, Rise and Shine Morning Show, and the Dickie Bradley Specials
The San Pedro Sun
SPTC holds Basketball Marathon
In an attempt to ignite basketball fever on La Isla Bonita, The San Pedro Town Council held an all-day marathon on Sunday, November 13th at the Angel Nu�ez Auditorium. Four teams competed in hopes of capturing the top prize: Caye Caulker, Tuff E Nuff, Healthy Police, and Boca Boyz. After several exciting matches Boca Boyz triumphed and took home the championship.
In second place was Tuff E Nuff receiving a cash prize of $250. Both teams had such great players that two MVPs were recognized. The MVP for Tuff E Nuff was Rico Black, while Boca Boyz', Michael Guan took the prize for top player of his team.
SPHS Male Volleyball Team: 2016 National Volleyball Champions!
After claiming the victory over the male division of the Northern Regional Secondary Volleyball Tournament, the San Pedro High School (SPHS) Male Volleyball Team once again captured the National Championship on Saturday, November 5th. The SPHS boys travelled to San Ignacio in the Cayo District over the weekend, where they represented the northern region of the country very well. After two days of competition, they emerged as the 2016 National Volleyball Champions!
On Monday, November 14th, the team along with the school staff and entire student body paraded through the streets of San Pedro Town. In honour of their grand victory, many residents greeted them on the streets and applauded their achievement.
The San Pedro Sun joins the entire community in congratulating the SPHS male volleyball team on a great win; you have made San Pedro Town proud! Keep up the hard work and continue to achieve greatness in sports!
National Garifuna Council San Pedro Branch begins Settlement activities
Garifuna Settlement Day is slated for Saturday, November 19th, and the National Garifuna Council San Pedro Branch (NGCSPB) began their celebratory activities on Saturday, November 12th and Sunday, November 13th. The last three clothing segments of the fashion show represented the three colors of the Garifuna flag: yellow, black, and white. Eduardo Aguilar, organizer of the fashion show, stated that he thought it was a great idea to incorporate the colors of the Garifuna flag into the fashion show. Although each color has various meanings, in this case, the black representing the hardship and struggle, yellow signifying hope and prosperity, and white indicating peace. Models showcased crisp white outfits first followed by sunny yellow outfits. Lastly, models sashayed in stunning black outfits that had the crowd cheering widely. All outfits can be purchased at Foreva Fancy Boutique on the corner of Coconut Drive and Tarpon Street in San Pedro Town.
CG Esthetics hosts Glamour Shots Fundraiser
On Sunday, November 13th, CG Esthetics hosted a very successful 'Glamour Shots' fundraiser. Benefiting from the raised funds for the two most important organizations that greatly assist the community in San Pedro Town-the San Pedro Red Cross and the San Pedro Food Bank.
From 9AM to 4PM, participants arrived at the salon to receive being pampered with hair styling and makeup application. Several pampered individuals went to take their glamour shots with many props available for them to choose.
In an effort to raise more funds, the salon also held a clothing and accessories swap. For a donation of $5, guests had the opportunity to choose from a couple of gently used items. Juanece Messervy also contributed to the fundraiser by donating 10% of her 'Clay Creations' sales to both charities.
Ambergris Today
Belize Government Stops All Offshore Surveys for Now
Postponement of the Completion of the Multibeam and Sea Seep Survey - The Ministry of Economic Development and Petroleum has issued a press release informing the general public that the completion of the offshore multibeam and sea seep survey will be postponed until public consultations on the survey are conducted.
The Ministry will inform the general public of the schedule of the public consultations so that interested persons may attend.
The Ministry of Economic Development and Petroleum, through the Geology and Petroleum Department stated that they will continue to ensure that the petroleum sector is developed in a responsible and environmentally conscious manner which can contribute to the sustainable development of Belize.
Misc Belizean Sources
Karaoke Friday on Caye Caulker
Ring in Garifuna Settlement Day onNovember 18th at Central Park from 6pm. Sing your heart out from 6pm til 10pm. Garifuna Dancers at 10pm followed by a dance til 2am. Music by Thundah Vibez Sounds
Assessing the efficiency and effectiveness of the Belize Health Information System
The Ministry of Health is working along with PAHO Health Information consultants this week to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of the Belize Health Information System (BHIS)
Incident with GAF Naval Patrol and SATIIM Patrol Vessel on the Sarstoon River
he Belize Defence Force (BDF) received a report on an incident that occurred on November 10th 2016, in which the Sarstoon-Temash Institute for Indigenous Management (SATIIM) was interrupted by Guatemalan Armed Forces (GAF) while operating on the Sarstoon River.
On the said date at about 7:30 a.m., SATIIM personnel along with village leaders of Crique Sarco and Graham Creek carried out a routine community forest patrol along the Sarstoon River. The patrol was organized by SATIIM to monitor deforestation and illegal activities in Southern Belize. The Belize Forward Operating Base (FOB) reported that around 7:30 a.m. the vessel docked at the FOB and that SATIIM would be conducting a routine patrol. The FOB reported that the vessel then proceeded to the Sarstoon River through the northern channel.
At about 2:30 p.m. on that same day, the SATIIM vessel returned and reported to the FOB that a GAF patrol vessel had stopped them as they were traversing the Sarstoon.
Power interruption 6:00am to 11:00am, Saturday, Nov 19, San Pedro
North San Pedro, from Boca Del Rio to Tranquillity Bay Resort. Portion Pescador Dr to Boca Del Rio will also experience power interruption from 6:00am to 8:30am. BEL to replace transformer at Boca Del Rio Substation and energize new lines in the area.
PACT 2016 Environmental Fellowship
The Protected Areas Conservatin Trust is calling for applications for their 2016 Environmental Fellowship. They are awarding one fellowship valued at $50,000. The deadline is November 28th.
"The PACT was formally established in January 1996 with the passing of the Protected Areas Conservation Trust Act, No. 15 of 1995, creating the institution as a Statutory Board. The functions of the PACT are to encourage and promote, for the benefit and enjoyment of the present and future generations of the people of Belize, the provision, protection, conservation and enhancement of the natural and cultural resources of Belize. The PACT Environmental Fellowship is designed to provide financial assistance to dynamic and successful mid-career and/or senior professional Belizeans who already possess a graduate degree and are entering a new post-grad programme or professional development in an area of study that will contribute to the sustainable development of Belize's National Protected Areas System."
Tacos Festival, Orange Walk
No, it's not too soon to start thinking about TACOS FESTIVAL! Mark the date: Nov. 27, Orange Walk Town. Thanks for the reminder Belize Tourism Board!
Garifuna Expo
Venezuelan Embassy Belmopan.
COMMUNITY PITCHES IN TO SPRUCE UP STANN CREEK HOUSE AND CULTURE AND GULISI COMPOUND IN THE SPIRIT OF UWARADAGUNI*
Artists, students and community members joined forces in October and November to spruce up the location that houses the Gulisi Museum and School and the Stann Creek House of Culture (SCHC). *Uwaradaguni means unity in Garifuna.
It all started in September, when DEC & Sons Construction helped SCHC start rehabilitating the artist boxes at the monument site. Assessing the scale of the project, SCHC Coordinator Joshua Arana quickly realized he would need help and assembled a committee. The project got a financial contribution from Stonetree Records for the repair of some boxes. To get the word out, the committee planned an Artist Service Day for the 29th of October, in collaboration with the BDF and the Dangriga Town Council. The public was invited to assist in the cleaning and was also a part of the discussion of how to maintain the site going forward.
Super photo of the super moon! The Institute of Archaeology hosting it's second training for site staff in Professional Development
Young Belizean Sailors Compete in Bermuda's 2016 National Optimist Dinghy Championship Regatta BHA promoting Belize Tourism in Montreal and Toronto! BHA BI-ANNUAL MEETING AGM Invite Paint N Splash Inauguration of Ambergris Stadium Power interruption 5:00am to 6:00am, Sunday, November 20: entire Belize City inclusive of all areas up to Mile 1 Philip Goldson Highway and Mile 1 George Price Highway Garfiuna Exhibit on display for students and the community at Mount Hope, Unitedville Citizen Science GIS team "Dia de los Finados" in San Pedro Paradise Theater playing this weekend Alleged Child Killer Charged Looking Into The Face Of Your Son's (Alleged) Killer PUP Leader Calls For Unity In Wake Of Child's Death GSU Caught Cruz, Escapee A Juvenile Horse Theft Ring? Alleged Girl Shooter To Court for Attempted Murder John B Says Blame Superbond 3 On The UDP PM Cagey On Tax Question PUP Meets With BNTU, Pledges Salary Solidarity Hon. Briceno Calls Sarstoon State of Affairs Very Worrying Defence Ministry Asking Guats About Sarstoon Aggression Annual Medical Congress Considers Wellness US Volunteer Organization Puts Deeds To Words Samson Teck Wah Bike Southside Cops Cracking Down On Motorbike Crimes Duffel Bag With 17.5 Lbs of Weed PUP Say They Want Vega Recalled Briceno says His Former PM's Signature on Accommodation Agreement Questionable Boots And The Big Yellow Building Briceno says Trump Had The Right Message Sewing The Smart Way
Come and see what Unique Belize is all about. A collection of crafts for home, office and gift-giving--handmade by Belizean artisans.
Dec 3 at 10 AM to Dec 4 at 6 PM,
The Ramada Belize City Princess,
Newtown Barracks, Kings Park, 50 Belize City, Belize
"They were the best in the World, pops."
Interviewer: "Better than in Canada, this summer?"
(He'd placed 7 out of 127 up there.}
"Oh yeah!"
These are the words of San Pedro's Kevin Velasquez, age 15 and Belize's 2015 Optimist Sailing Dinghy National Champion, after placing 25th out of 75 in the 2016 Bermuda National Championship Optimist Regatta, November 10 - 13 at the Royal Naval Dockyard in Bermuda. Perhaps they weren't all of the World's best, but among the 75 were sailors visiting from Barbados, Canada, The Caymans, Italy, Poland, and the US. Staying in the top third of that fleet and finishing 10th, 12th, and 13th in 3 of the 11 races, are what Kevin accomplished in the final regatta of his Optimist career. The year you turn 15 is the last year you can enter formal Optimist regattas.
Following the recent addition of the twice weekly Westjet flight direct between Toronto and Belize City, the Belize Hotel Association was excited to participate in the Canadian Road show that was organized by the Belize Tourism Board ,and included the participation of several private stakeholders in theTourism Industry of Belize. The BHA Marketing Director, Tessie Duran Tonaco attended the event to represent our members.
The intense two day marketing event, was hosted in Toronto, on Tuesday November 8, 2016, and in Montreal, on Wednesday November 9, 2016. The BHA, the BTB and attending industry stakeholders, each had a tabletop presentation at both venues, where they were able to have one-on-one meetings with a total of more than 100 Canadian travel agents. After the meetings and business exchange, dinner was served to the agents while, Ms. Deborah Gilharry and Ms. Althea Sebastian, Travel Trade Officers of the Belize Tourism Board, gave a video and slideshow presentation about Belize, the areas of interest and the culture of the different destinations within the country. This was followed by a Q&A segment, and then a raffle of vacation packages to Belize, that was greeted with much enthusiasm from the agents.
DATE: December 7, 2016
VENUE: San Ignacio Resort Hotel.
We hope you will join us, to hear about the exciting new activities that the BHA is planning and what we have accomplished in the recent months.
If you are not a member of the BHA as yet, we would still love to have you join us !!
Invitations will be emailed this week. Complimentary Ground Transfers will be provided from Belize City to San Ignacio.
Kindly RSVP your attendance to Lourdes or Tessie
Email: [email protected] or [email protected]
Telephone- 223-0669
Nov. 22, Caye Caulker Community Center, 7pm
Calling all Pirate Splashers! Join us this Thursday at Crazy Canucks Beach Bar.
The San Pedro Town Council, Minisitry of Tourism & Civil Aviation and the San Pedro Sports Committee are excited to announce the official inauguration of the newly constructed Ambergris Stadium on November 26, 2016. After the Inaugural ceremony there will be two matches for everyone to enjoy! Come witness the matches between San Pedro's teams versus the teams from Mexico and USA! Tickets are on sale at the San Pedro Town Council for only $10.
Entertainment by Yaka's Elite Dancers in collaboration with the San Pedro Dance Academy and music by San Pedro's very own, Rompe Raja!
BEL to repair hotspots on transformer at the Belize City Substation.
We are always happy to support! Numasa Wellness Resource Center
Check out the exciting work of the Citizen Science GIS team that focuses on mapping open data around Belize with community partners around the country! They have funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) #REU program to complete marine debris and disaster management work in Hopkins, Belize. They are also creating a new project, Open Reef Mapping Society, that builds on this work.
The opening of "Dia de los Finados" exhibition has been re-scheduled for Wednesday, November 16th at 7 pm. Kindly join us as we honor our dearly departed. Kindly share with family and friends.
Suicide Squad,
The BFG,
The Monster,
Snowden. See Ya at the Movies
Channel 7
Last night, we brought you extensive coverage of the tragic story of 7 year-old Tyler Savery. He's the child who was gunned down in the street-style execution of his older cousin, 22 year-old Porshan Pipersburg. Both of them were killed, and the loss to this family was even more grievous because a child was killed in an adults' street war.
Well, the man who police believe was the gunman is 20 year-old Jayear Flores, a resident of Curassow Street, and tonight, he's at the Belize Central Prison. You'll notice Flores in this footage as the man in the striped red shirt who tried his best to hide his face from the cameras while he was being escorted to the Magistrates Court a few hours ago. He was arraigned this evening before Magistrate Carlon Mendoza on two counts of murder, and because those are capital offences, no plea was taken from him, and neither could he be granted bail. He was remanded to the Belize Central Prison until January 16, 2017.
Tyler Savery's mother, Shakera Young, no doubt had viewers transfixed with her very powerful interview, displaying vulnerability, strength, and fortitude in the face of such loss, which normally overcomes other grief stricken mothers.
Today, she dutifully attended court, and observed Jayear Flores, the man who is accused of killing her son. After the arraignment, she told us that putting a face to the alleged killer only aroused sorrow for this young man and his family. Here's what she had to say:
Shakera Young - Mother of Tyler Savery:
"I'm still a bit lost for words because to me that young man is still a child himself for him to have don't something like that to my little boy. I'm still a bit disgruntle about it because I only see one person in there and I do believe that was somebody driving and if he's the shooter then somebody else is involved in that. At this point right now what the police are telling me, I am holding on to that and hoping that justice will be served the right way."
And Shakera Young's surprising even tempered-ness in the face of such great loss, has certainly caught the nation's attention. Today, it inspired the Leader of the Opposition to make a call for national unity around the cause of violence:...
Hon. John Briceno, PUP Party Leader:
"Tyler Savery was murdered on the streets and it makes you wonder what kind of country, where we are getting to where a man could just go on the street and just shoot at somebody else without regards if there are women or children around. Then here we have a 7-year-old that was killed, I think that is not only an issue of the government but we as a people need to be outraged. What is wrong with us? It is a child that all of us have lost and until we start to feel that way, that the loss of this child is not only of the mother Shakera, but even us lost a child. Now for me as a Politian it would be so easy to lash out at UDP, at the incompetence of the government and because of the poverty. We have to stop for a minute and think, both political parties need to get together and put their best minds to see how we can solve this matter and we need to get the churches, private sector and NGO communities, everybody together to be able to address this matter. We need to follow that wonderful example, the courage and the grace that Shakera has demonstrated. But I'm appealing for everyone to join us, let us work together, let's forget our differences. If I'm PUP and you are UDP and if you are Spanish and I am Creole, let's think as a community and as Belizeans to try and find an end to this senseless, endless cycle of violence."
Two escaped prisoners, David Cruz Jr and Lincoln Bejerano have been on the run since October 12th - after escaping from Belmopan police, but tonight Cruz is back in custody. The alleged robber - who was charged as part of the heist at the Belmopan Income Tax Office - was found today hiding out on a farm in Cotton Tree. The GSU led the search base don information they had received. The unit reports that when they arrived at the farm, the house was locked and so the team started to search the area. They found a pump action 12 gauge shotgun about 300 meters from the house along with nine (9) live 12 gauge cartridges.
They continued to search, and about 20 minutes later, found CRUZ Jr cowering in some bushes. He was taken to the Belmopan Police Station where he was charged for Escape from Lawful Custody. He returns to the remand section at the Hattieville prison where he is on remand for Robbery and Firearm offences.
On Sunday, residents of the Los Lagos community contacted the Smith family, who run the Bacab Ecopark, telling them that riders were galloping away on their horses down the Philip Goldson Highway. And it wasn't employees riding those horses; the horsemen were actually boys the youngest, an eleven year old. Police chased down the young horse wranglers, and arrested all three. We spoke to Lourdes Smith, Bacab's Sales and Marketing Director about the incident.
Lourdes Smith, Sales & Marketing Dir., Bacab:
"On Sunday we were alerted by a resident of the Los Lagos area that they had seen 3 kids on horses and they thought that they may be for Bacab. We were just leaving from home when we came out and started looking to see if we see the horses to make sure that they were ours or not. We ended up finding them all the way into Ladyville nearly by the supermarkets. We caught one there and we caught the other 2 horses further down going almost by Williamson Industries old site."
Last night we told you about the two teenaged girls who were shot on Sunday night in separate incidents. Well, police have charged one suspect for shooting the 13 year old on Raccoon street extension. She came within millimeters of losing her life when the bullet grazed her cheek. The alleged shooter is Anthony Crawford, who appeared in court today where he was charged for attempted murder, dangerous harm and use of deadly means of harm. There's no bail for that, and Magistrate Norman Rodriguez remanded him into custody until January 16, 2017.
The international rating agency Standard and Poors today downgraded Belize's sovereign credit rating to CCC+ with a negative outlook, after it was announced that government was going for another restructuring of the half a billion dollar superbond. The Government of Belize is telling its bondholders that there are "serious economic and financial challenges currently facing the country" and that it can't afford to make the bullet payments in 2017. And while the Superbond is all commercial debt that was accumulated during the last PUP government - today opposition leader John Briceno held a press conference to say that the public should blame Superbond 3 on the UDP:...
Hon. John Briceno, PUP Party Leader:
"The facts are that we are in this position because of the UDP incompetence and the UDP messed and this is the UDP superbond. They made certain promises to the bond holders that they were going to reduce the level from 60% and here we are at 81% - that they were going to have fiscal discipline."
And so you heard Briceno say that taxpayers will have to share in the pain with bondholders in the form of increased taxes. That's what we asked the Prime Minister on Saturday and he was cagey in answering the question:
And today the PUP met with the teachers to say that the opposition would back them up to try and force government to make the payment. Today, Briceno said a the nation owes teachers a debt, and they should at least be paid for their sacrifice:
Hon. John Briceno, PUP Party Leader:
"We need to be thankful to the teachers of this country who stood up and forced the government to do the right thing. The chamber has been crying out about transparency and accountability and they did nothing. All they were doing was just talking. The PSU and the other people, they've done nothing but here we have the BNTU that stood up and said no, they drew the line. Now we fight out now that no other than the deputy Prime Minister who was a former teacher, has decided that he's going to punish the teachers and that he's going to teach them a lesson. Just imagine the month before Christmas, this government is threatening to take away almost a third of the salaries of the teachers just before Christmas."
And speaking also on the situation on the Sarstoon where a SATIIM Patrol was stopped by the Guatemalan military last week, Opposition Leader Briceno said there is reason for grave concern over the deteriorated state of Belize Guatemala relations:...
Hon. John Briceno, PUP Party Leader:
"I did not find that only shocking, but frightening. It scares me to hear our foreign minister to speak in such terms, basically just throwing up his hands and there is nothing we can do. We in the PUP have been saying it from the time I became leader, that we need to have a plan to be able to address this issue. That we need once again embarked into an international campaign. Now here we have the no other than the foreign minister who considers himself a very good friend of Carlos Raul Morales, the Foreign Minister from Guatemala. You see them hugging and smiling and every minute very touchy-touchy and now announcing that his very best friend refuses to take his call and that we now have the Guatemalans coming into our river, preventing our people to go up the Sarstoon River, putting aside decades of understanding as to how we use the Sarstoon River - you on your side and we on our side respecting one another. But this is happening because we have no plan."
As we have reported, according to the SATIIM reports, the Guatemalan military personnel stopped them and warned them that the Sarstoon River is a military zone, and that according to some still mysterious protocol, anyone who needed to travel the river had to get permission from the Guatemalan military, which is based at the mouth of the Sarstoon.
Well, the Belize Defence Force has confirmed that SATIIM made the very same report to them, and they will seek clarification from their Guatemalan counterparts.
A press release from the Ministry of Defense says, quote, "The Belize Defence Force (BDF) received a report on an incident that occurred on November 10th 2016, in which� (SATIIM) was interrupted by Guatemalan Armed Forces while operating on the Sarstoon River� Belizean authorities are following up with Guatemalan counterparts to get clarification on this recent incident in the Sarstoon."
Today was day one of the Ministry of Health's annual Medical Congress. Over 50 health professionals from across the country attended the session at the Biltmore and they discussed a cross section of topics including the effects of Zika, cervical cancer prevention, and tuberculosis diagnosis, among many others. We stopped by for the afternoon session that focused on prenatal care and pregnancy and Dr. Jose Moguel explained why it's important for medical professionals to participate.
Dr. Jose Moguel, Surgeon:
"It is an activity where the maternal and child health wing of the Ministry of Health hosts an educational activity geared towards physicians. Mostly if you notice BMDS stands for Medical and Dental, today's mostly addressed to physicians. The physicians are the ones that mostly do everyday doctor to patient care, manage diseases. We also have to include all health care providers. We welcome nurses and other health care providers. It is both a training, discussion, to sum it all, it's educational. The Belize Medical and Dental Association facilitates medical sessions for all doctors. Today is the first day of the event November 15th. The congress itself being the magnum event for physicians and dentist in the country is to be held the 16th and 17th on Wednesday and Thursday."
And while the Ministry is focusing on a more theoretical approach in this year's Congress, the doctors and nurses from the Caribbean American Medical Education Organization are putting it all into practice. 6 doctors and nurses from the US are in Belize offering free medical services. The team arrived on Monday and have their check up space set up at Area Representative Patrick Faber's Collet Office. The president of CAMEO Yvonne Keen told us more about the services they are providing and the director Dr. David Keen discussed the trends he has been observing in Belizean patients.
The team will be at the collet office tomorrow from 9 to 4 and they move over to the LADYVILLE. Health center on Thursday, so make sure you go for your free checkup. A gynecologist is also along with the team.
He had the gall to steal a bike form in front of the biggest police station in the country, and for that Samson Teck was lucky to get away with a fine in court today.
According to Dean Brackett he was buying food on the corner of Queen Street and New Road, when Teck jumped on his bike and rode off down New Road. Brackett said he called for Teck to stop, but was ignored. A police mobile patrol was on Hyde's Lane at the time and easily intercepted and apprehended Teck.
Teck, who said he was intoxicated at the time of the theft, was only fined $500 because it was his first offense. Magistrate Carlon Mendoza also stipulated that if the fine is not paid by February 15th, 2017, Teck will have to serve 5 months in prison.
Southside police say that part of the city crime wave has to do with criminals on motorbikes, so they are cracking down. Southside police say they will be launching a number of traffic operations, targeting criminals on motorbikes. They're activating little used fines that are on the books and say that insurance and registration violations will be stringently enforced. Operations start immediately.
The South Side Strike Team made two cannabis busts yesterday. The first was on Iguana Street where police found several small, plastic bags containing one and a half ounces of cannabis in an open lot. That same afternoon, the strike team conducted a search in the Faber's Road Extension area where they found a black duffel bag containing seventeen and a half pounds of weed. No one was in the area, so they were taken in and labeled as found property.
Gaspar Vega was elected for his third term of office just one year ago - but already the PUP northern caucus is talking about a recall. At a meeting on Saturday the Caucus decided to endorse a recall of Gaspar Vega, while also calling for criminal charges to be brought. Bow Vega is already on his way out - and has said he will not run again, but today John Briceno said he needs to leave now:...
Hon. John Briceno, PUP Party Leader:
"I think that he needs to do the right thing. I think that he needs to do the honorable thing. I think he needs to resign now. If he refuses to resign now at the appropriate time, I think which is going to be 18 months after the election, which is going to be in May of 2017. The people of Orange Walk North have said, through the northern caucus that they are going to mount a recall against the Hon. Gaspar Vega."
A recall cannot be invoked until the 18th month of a representative's term.
But there's no recalling of the Accommodation Agreement - which was signed in secret during the last PUP Government when John Briceno was Deputy Prime Minister. But it was so secret that he never knew about it, and up to a few months ago said he still hadn't seen it - which is interesting since his family's phone company got a special carve out in there.
But, speaking today, Mr. Briceno said that the Accommodation Agreement - which has cost government hundreds of millions of dollars in compensation to the Ashcroft Alliance - could have been very easily overturned in court - even though his Prime Minister Said Musa signed it:...
Hon. John Briceno, PUP Party Leader:
"There are compelling arguments as to why certain parts of the accommodation agreement would not have been enforceable. One of them is that the prime minister cannot sign off on taxes without the acquiescence of the commissioner of income tax, secondly that the prime minister cannot sign off on certain ahm task privileges to a company, that has been, that is the sole responsibility of the public utilities commission. Those two alone that if the government would have gone to court, they could have gotten, they could have overturned that."
Briceno also discussed his parliamentary colleague Boots Martinez and that big yellow building which now houses the department of social services within his own ministry. He says Martinez should be investigated:..
Hon. John Briceno, PUP Party Leader
"Wasn't there a story on some local channel that were talking about pool tables? That that was what he was doing for a living and that he had $35,000 in the bank. From pool tables, now his daughter is building a huge mansion. A daughter I don't know that she has been working for a year. So, if it's the name of a daughter, where did she get the money? Has the FIU done an investigation? Maybe the FIU needs to investigate where his daughter got the money to build that mansion if that is the case."
And Briceno also spoke about the stunning rise of Donald Trump to the US Presidency. He says he didn't expect it in the least - but he did catch Trump's message:...
Courts TODAY held a ceremony for the 20 participants who completed their 8 week sewing course. Now this is the first initiative of its kind for Courts and the Marketing officer told us why they decided to start the class. We also spoke to 2 participants about their sewing experiences.
There was also a competition in which the bedding spreads were judged and the first place winner got a Brother sewing machine and a few gift certificates.