Patrick Faber Launches Candidacy for First Deputy Leader
There are two contenders to the slot of first deputy leader of the U.D.P.: Ministers John Saldivar and Patrick Faber. Within twenty-four hours of the national convention in Dangriga, Faber called a press conference officially launching his bid. At this early stage, he was supported by senior colleagues Michael Finnegan, Manuel Heredia, as well as Elodio Aragon Junior and other U.D.P. personalities. A date for the special convention has not been set, but will likely be held in June or July and Faber has bolted out of the gate. News Five’s Isani Cayetano reports from U.D.P. Secretariat.
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
It’s official, four-time Collet Area Representative and Minister of Education Patrick Faber has once again tossed his hat into the ring, where he will be contending for first deputy leadership of the United Democratic Party. This afternoon, at the U.D.P. Headquarters here in Belize City, Faber’s candidacy was endorsed by several key figures within the organization, including longtime ally and political mentor Michael Finnegan.
Michael Finnegan
Michael Finnegan, Area Representative, Mesopotamia
“How amazing! I am saying you are an amazing man because remember, and I want people to understand, they might not understand the politics, the inner soul of politics, and I am giving you a part of the inner soul of politics in the Collet Division. Collet Division was basically a P.U.P. division and he turned it around. It is now a U.D.P. division, it is in the U.D.P. winning column. We have a group of competent young people in the United Democratic Party. Faber is one and of course Erwin Contreras is one and I will not call a lot of them, I will just call a few of them and John Saldivar is one. John Saldivar is an extremely bright person and good human being and we are friends and we are colleagues and Minister Faber can attest to that, but Patrick Faber is the man with the wherewithal, with the intellectual deepness, with the economic deepness because I think you are an economist of course, with the economic deepness. With the personality and the personal contribution that he makes to this country.”
Dubbed “The Path to the Future”, Faber’s campaign, rolled out in grand fashion on his thirty-eighth birthday, had the attendance of a cross-section of avid U.D.P. supporters. Flanked by ministers Elodio Aragon, Manuel Heredia, Michael Finnegan and Mayor Earl Trapp, it is clear that he is being backed on both ends of the totem pole.
Patrick Faber
Patrick Faber, Candidate for Deputy Leader
“I am blessed by God and the people of the party to become the next Deputy Party Leader of our beloved United Democratic Party that you will see that same kind of dedication. The kind of dedication that I brought to the people of Collet. The kind of dedication that I brought to the Ministry of Education. You will see my bring that same kind of dedication, as you’ve seen before when I was party chairman and along with Roosevelt Blades, the Deputy Chairman of the Party at that time and Phillipa Griffith Bailey, who was sitting in the front, we were able to get to organize our party and make it fighting fit for those 2012 elections.”
Orange Walk East Area Representative Elodio Aragon Jr., whose portfolio falls under Faber’s ministry, attests to being personal friends with all his cabinet colleagues, including Belmopan Area Representative John Saldivar. Despite their familiarity however, Aragon says there’s only one option to move the party forward.
Elodio Aragon
Elodio Aragon, Area Representative, OW East
“Today, I am here strongly supporting Patrick Faber because as a young minister I look towards what will lead and who will lead and where we will go as a country of Belize. I look towards the kind of persons who are bestowed with the qualities, the potential, the capacity to be great leaders, not only for the United Democratic Party but likewise for this country. And when I sit back and I look at the other potential candidates that we have that will vie for the deputy party leadership of this great United Democratic Party, I can only look and see one solution, one leader that will move this United Democratic Party forward, that will bring together and unite the great, united party supporters across this land, likewise it will unite the young people of this nation.”
Among the many accolades and show of support at today’s campaign launch, a brief endorsement by youth activist Chris Saldano arguably stole the show.
Chris Saldano
Chris Saldano, Youth Activist
“I conclude with a proud heart and an honorary pleasure to endorse you Minister Faber as Deputy Party Leader for this United Democratic Party, amongst all your challenges, trials and tribulations, persevere as you often tell us when addressing youth forums. Never give up, rise like an eagle and soar high but always remember Philippians Four-thirteen: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Job well done!”
Reporting for News Five, I am Isani Cayetano.
Later in the newscast we will have more from Faber on why he believes he can lead the U.D.P.
