Meet Four of the P.U.P.’s Standard Bearers in the West!

We now take you to nomination day in the west.  There are six constituencies in the Cayo District. We start our coverage in the west with four of the six constituencies: Cayo North East, Cayo North, Cayo Central and Cayo West. This morning, the P.U.P. candidates were nominated at ten this morning. Reporter Andrea Polanco tells us more about how the nominations went:

Andrea Polanco, Reporting

The People’s United Party Nominations in the West kicked off at ten this morning. Our first stop was at the Sacred Heart College Auditorium in San Ignacio Town. Instead of the usual spirited and colorful fanfare that is typical of politics in the west, only Cayo North East P.U.P. candidate Orlando Habet and his nominators were present. Now that he is officially the PUP Standard bearer for Cayo North East, Habet says he is confident going into next month’s elections because he has done the work as the incumbent and now seeking a second term.

Orlando Habet

Orlando Habet, P.U.P. Standard Bearer, Cayo North East

“My logo is that everybody wins with Landy Habet. The people know me. I have been there for the past five years as a member of government in opposition but one thing that they have also seen is that I have also been there for them; lobbying for them at the House of Representatives. Whether we get what we lobby for or not, I am there to claim and to ask for the help that we need for our constituency. I can do a lot more once I am in government and the people know that and so I believe they are giving me that opportunity. So, I am asking all the constituents in Cayo North East, whether you are red or blue or whatever color, come out and vote; exercise your right to vote. Do not be afraid because everything will be in place for the preventative measures for COVID. Take your time and come out early and cast your vote for the People’s United Party. Con Landy Habet, todos ganamos.”

…and that’s the same confidence that Michel CHEBAT, the P.U.P. Standard Bearer for Cayo North, expressed this morning when he exited the San Ignacio Magistrate’s Court after making his candidacy official.  It’s a different scene from what he experienced in 2015; today, there was just a handful of close family and friends to support his candidacy:

Michel Chebat

Michel Chebat, P.U.P. Standard Bearer, Cayo North

“It is very different from what we have to come to know. As you can see it is very different out here. As you know, we usually take this moment where the party flexes and we show the support that that we have. Unfortunately, with this pandemic that has been impossible today but that doesn’t mean anything. We are confident of the support of the people of Cayo North and we are confident that on the eleventh of November we shall be delivering for the People’s United Party.”

Andrea Polanco

“Without that “muscle” today, how do you gauge the support that the PUP has in Cayo North?”

Michel Chebat

“We have been on the ground. My team has been on the ground. We have not left since 2015, so we know that the people are with us.”

Over in Cayo Central, Alex Balona officially became the standard bearer for the People’s United Party. This morning we met him at the entrance of Santa Elena Town. There, his supporters were putting up flags and banners, painting Santa Elena blue and white.

Alex Balona

Alex Balona, P.U.P. Standard Bearer, Cayo Central

“I am very thankful to God that this day has arrived. We have long been waiting for it and I believe the residents of Cayo Central have long been waiting for this day to come and so we are all energized and ready and we want to be out there. I am committed to serve Cayo Central.”

Andrea Polanco

“What’s your feeling like going in without that fanfare behind you?”

Alex Balona

“I believe there is always a first for everything. Yes, we have a pandemic we are dealing with but I believe that our people haven’t forgotten that they are fully supporting my candidacy. For me, I have seen the need for true representation in Cayo Central and I believe that we can put those two together and we ready for November eleventh.”

Further west, we caught up with Jorge Espat following his nomination as the Standard Bearer for the P.U.P. in Cayo West. The newcomer to politics says he had planned a showing of his political support but that was canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions. He says that will not stop his victory at the polls on November eleventh.

Jorge Espat

Jorge Espat, P.U.P. Standard Bearer, Cayo West

“For me, it is a bit sad being a new person in politics in my career and especially right now that we know that we are going to be victorious in Cayo West. We had something big – we had the people gathered; we had two DJs planned but at the end of the day everything went aground. But at the end of the day, nonetheless, it still worked out for us.”

Reporting for News Five, I’m Andrea Polanco.