Leader of the Opposition refuses to apologize

And if you thought that the topic of the situation at the K.H.M.H. was hot, check out the exchange between both sides of the House. Squaring off were Deputy Prime Minister Gaspar Vega, P.M. Barrow and the Leader of the Opposition John Briceño.

John Briceño, Leader of the Opposition
“I don’t think the representative from Orange Walk North should talk about contraband because when you talk about contraband, he and his family are the biggest contrabistas in this country. And let the record show. So don’t even open your mouth bout dat Mr. Vega.”

Gaspar Vega, Deputy Prime Minister
“If dah neva sake ah yoh pa…”

John Briceño
“Please! You go ahead.”

Gaspar Vega
“Di Belizean people would not be drinking di way how dehn drinking.”

John Briceño
“I’m not going to come to you yet. We’re not gonna deal wid you yet. Just di watch you with your face right yah di be… anyway. Mr. Speaker”

Prime Minister Dean Barrow
“On a point of order. On a point of order, I don’t know what might have been said across the floor, but for the Leader of Opposition to say what he just said is a complete violation of a standing order. He needs to apologize. He has said that the Deputy Prime Minister and his family are contra—he needs to apologize. Mr. Speaker, I ask you to put him in check.”

Emil Arguelles, Speaker of the House
“Leader of the Opposition, a request for an apology has been made…”

John Briceño
“I will not apologize, Mr. Speaker. I will not apologize so you have to take me out from this House. You allow dem fi mek dehn come and seh all kind ah foolishness in dis House; same Deputy Prime Minister. I will not apologize so kick me out.”

Gaspar Vega, Deputy Prime Minister
“Mr. Speaker, I would just like to say that when I come to this House, I come with facts. He is the one who was sold the land for ten dollars and a week later, it was sold for a million dollars; his signature. Mr. Speaker, again none of my parents or brothers have been convicted of anything illegal like his dad who went to jail for illegal drugs. Mr. Speaker, I don’t want to talk about his dad alone because he is the one who stole all the land that was given away here in Belize.”

Mark Espat, Area Representative, Albert Division
“Mr. Speaker, on a point of order, it is important that you, as Speaker, maintain control of this honourable House. the standing orders are clear; no one can impute improper motives to anyone. Please, Mr. Speaker, exert your authority.”