P.M. Briceño Backs Moises Cal Proposed Appointment to P.S.C.
Moises Cal
The Government of Belize has made a proposal for Moises Cal to sit on the Public Service Commission as chairman. Back in 2007, under the Musa administration, Cal, in his capacity as Ambassador to Guatemala, was accused of money laundering and He was being investigated by authorities in Panama after they found a million dollars in his possession. As we reported, President of the Public Service Union, Dean Flowers, has objected to the proposed appointment. Opposition Leader Shyne Barrow also criticized Prime Minister John Briceño for the proposition, while bringing into question Cal’s ethical and moral character. P.M. Briceño responded to the backlash in an interview with reporters this morning.
Prime Minister John Briceño
Prime Minister John Briceño
“I think we need to start-off by no other than the Leader of the Opposition is always asking for a second chance, and we all make mistakes in life and it is not something that you should, you can reform your life. Whether Mr. Cal did or did not do, it was allegations and it had never been proven in court. He was never arrested. So, he I believe has been an active citizen in Belmopan and I believe a good citizen. He is always assisting people, many people don’t know this, but helping poor people for Christmas, help several families with food and children. So, I believed that he has the qualities to be able to handle, to be the Chair of the Public Service Commission. Now, a number of people have been raising concerns and other people in the public service. So, we will be taking a closer look. It has not been sent to the Governor General, so it is, we will take a look we will listening. We don’t believe we have all the answers, so we will take a look.”
Reporter
“This is someone who fled from justice; he has not faced it at all.”
Moises Cal
Prime Minister John Briceño
“As I said, we are taking a look at it.”
Reporter
“To push that line forward, you all have not forgiven the Leader of the Opposition, because members on your side keep pushing that he has been in jail and that sort of thing. You need to move on as well, and you haven’t from that point, so how are you asking the public to move on from their?”
Prime Minister John Briceño
“It is nothing to forgive. He has spent his time. But it does not mean that, in the banter of politics, back and forth some of the members would remind him, but that is a part of the Hurley burley of politics. Can we move on to another question? Can we move on to another question? Ok, that is fine, can we have another question?”
