Will P.U.P. Accept a Petrocaribe Funded Christmas Cheer?
Francis Fonseca
Christmas is less than a month away which means that the government’s annual Christmas Cheer Program is around the corner. While the opposition takes credit for starting the program with Venezuela, it is taking the government to court because government did not get approval from the House. With all the criticisms thrown its way by the opposition, P.U.P. Leader Francis Fonseca was asked if the party would accept money from the government if indeed the funds were Petrocaribe dollars. It’s an interesting situation since it would place the opposition in a pickle. Here’s how Fonseca responded.
Reporter
“Christmas cheer is coming up again and that is funded, we are told, through that fund. Will you all accept the opposition money through that or will you all say its irretrievable tainted and refuse it?”
Francis Fonseca, Party Leader, P.U.P.
“No decision has been made Jules. First of all we didn’t get any mother’s day cheer and that was the last handing out of funds, so there is no legitimate expectation that we will be participating…”
Reporter
“But you got Christmas cheer last year?”
Francis Fonseca
“Christmas cheer we got, but after that the other program has been the mother’s day cheer where they decided they don’t want to include the PUPs, so I have no legitimate expectation that we will be included in the Christmas program. If we are advised that we will be by the government, then I will take it to the executive and the parliamentary caucus, the representatives, for a decision.”
Reporter
“Shouldn’t you just refuse it though, based on the party’s position?”
Francis Fonseca
“Well you can say. That’s a point that can be made, but I want to allow representatives to speak how they feel about it. We’ve taken it in the past and it’s in a sense and accountable program in the sense that it’s directly going not to us as representatives, but directly to people. So I think that has to be discussed.”
Last Tuesday, the U.D.P.-controlled House finally approved the loan which was taken before the senate today.
