Martin Cal taken off P.U.P. slate after name surfaces in Auditor General’s Report
Julius Espat
The Auditor-General’s report has had no visible repercussions on the man at the front and centre of the scandal, former Minister of State Elvin Penner. But it has had serious political repercussions for aspiring politician Martin Cal. Cal’s name surfaced repeatedly in the report, after he and another man were named as the recommenders of at least four foreign nationals who received nationality certificates for which they were not qualified. The Auditor-General went so far as to state that Cal committed prosecutable offences when signing those recommendations. That spurred immediate action in the leadership of the People’s United Party. Cal was on one P.U.P. slate contesting for municipal office in Belmopan. But he’s not anymore. P.U.P. Deputy Leader Julius Espat today told us that it was all about walking the walk, and not just talking the talk.
Julius Espat, Deputy Leader, P.U.P.
“We were informed through the Auditor General’s Report that there was some accusations made with Mister Martin and the party leader and the party made a decision and sat with him for him to not participate as a candidate in the Belmopan municipal elections. The party leader believes that it is important that we as a party give the people of Belmopan the opportunity to choose candidate that represents what he is trying to move forward in the party right now. This is not to say that we believe Mister Cal is guilty; we are not here to prove his innocence. It is just that it is not beneficial to the party and the supporters of the People’s United Party to have this doubt hanging above the other candidates and I think Mister Cal has been cooperative as well. So it has been worked out; he has been replaced by a lady that goes by the last name Botes. We have to take it serious. If we are fighting against the issues that are out there and the corruption issues that come up and we are saying that we are going to do it differently, we can’t just be talking and not acting on it. It is a problem that is there and the party leader and the party made a decision and that’s how we will be moving forward.”
Cal’s brother Moises Cal is the Chairman of the Western Caucus of the People’s United Party. News Five understands that a meeting has been called to discuss the future of Moises Cal in that position.
Well alright it look like we might have a deputy here who willing fi clean up the pup. The country need fresh blood fi true.
There won’t be many people left to run if everyone whose name has been associated with scandal is asked to step aside. But I applaud the move by the PUP to take pre-emptive measures to avoid even the appearance of corruptibility.
How come Julius response is now soft. Why does he ask for the PUP side to be prosecuted as they are asking for Penner? it would be important to see the same stick apply to all, I also hope that Julius is also not found in the same pot as the rest. It is very easy to throw stone and hide the hand, since we tend to judge others harder. Why is is a reality of life? why not say that it is a practice that you will ensure that is never repeated again, or if this new PUP, as how you say, would ever do it, they will be jailed. But i see why you cannot make the same statement, because u have determined that tiger cannot get ride of the spots.
aha JULIUS who have the gun now? tell me??
PUDP all the same,
Use the same rod for ALL those involved in this whole scam! PUP da the same nonsense! Which clean-up???? Julius jus d do it 4 win an election!!!
I think that it is better that we have no one or even one to run this country without having his hand stained than having the majority stained. I therefore think this is the reason we are in this mess and will be more every time, our morals have been compromised at all levels. Julius do not have the moral fortitude to speak against anyone, cause we also need to dig deeper, many things have been aired already, but who am i to judge. I believe that our people forget soon and guess we only change master every 5 years and who can tell if more.