Senate Committee Chair Persistent in Face of Unwilling Witness

Janelle Chanona

Notwithstanding Wilbert Vallejos’s reluctance to answer most of the questions put to him by the Senate Special Select Committee, Chairperson Janelle Chanona continued to press him on certain records in the committee’s possession. One of the matters on the committee’s record pertains to the short time between the signings of the Portico Definitive Agreement and the sale of the lands in question.

Janelle Chanona, Chairperson, Senate Committee

“I put to you Mr. Viejo that the chronology the paper works shows that the Definitive Agreement was signed on first of October 2020. The land in and adjoining the Portico development area went from national lands to particular companies on the fourth of October and then in 2022 was purchased by Portico.”

Wilbert Vallejos

Wilbert Vallejos, Former Lands Commissioner

“Madam Chair, are you giving evidence?”

Janelle Chanona

“No he is asking me to clarify the question. With all due respect, I am asking you Mr. Vallejos, the context of the question is, was there a process. The committee would be guided from an expert like yourself as to what was the process for national land to be sold to companies.”

Wilbert Vallejos

“You are asking a specific question and you want to give a general answer.”

Janelle Chanona

“You can give a general answer if that is what your counsel is advising you to give us. As a former public officer I am asking you to answer the question.”

Wilbert Vallejos

”Chair, I don’t want to be looked at as somebody who doesn’t want to help the committee. I have heard the questions you asked the former commissioner. I have heard the questions you asked other people about the lands. But again, in my humble opinion, those questions are set and a part from what you would be asking me. I am trying to see the relevance.”

Wilbert Vallejos

“But your expectation is not my responsibility.”