Deputy P.M. Backs Boss Barrow on John Saldivar; No Tempers Flared in Cabinet

John Saldivar

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Dean Barrow announced that Minister of Defense John Saldivar had been placed on one week’s leave of absence pending legal advice on a matter involving Saldivar’s business ties to William ‘Danny’ Mason.  According to the PM, counsel is being sought to determine whether Saldivar acted sufficiently in terminating his relationship with the incarcerated businessman.  But, is Saldivar’s temporary removal from Cabinet paid or unpaid?  That’s what we asked Deputy Prime Minister Patrick Faber today.  While he supports the idea of thoroughly examining the matter before rendering a decision on Saldivar’s fate as a member of Cabinet, Faber is unclear whether the Belmopan area representative’s pay will also be docked.

Patrick Faber, Minister of Education

“In the case of Mr. Saldivar, the suspension for a week was there and he was very clear that he would seek the kind of opinion from a legal expert to see whether or not the actions from Minister Saldivar constituted what he was claiming it was to constitute and that is the position.  I support the prime minister’s move one hundred percent.  Sometimes if you are too hasty to make decisions, especially if it is not backed up by factual evidence you land yourself in a different kind of trouble.”

Reporter

“Is that paid leave sir?”

Patrick Faber

Patrick Faber

“I am not aware you know.  That is a question you would have to ask either Minister Saldivar or the Prime Minister.  I was there when the decision was made but there was no talk about whether it was paid or not, so I wouldn’t be able to comment on that.”

Reporter

“And this one week leave is a result of the Mason thing or a result of an incident that occurred in Cabinet Room during the meeting where Minister Saldivar reportedly threw papers or documents in the face of the prime minister or something like that in the Cabinet Room?”

Patrick Faber

“Well, I shouldn’t talk about whatever happens in the Cabinet Room, you know that that is not…  But in this instance that is so absurd that I will tell you that no such thing happened and if you know my prime minister, my boss, you know that that wouldn’t be accepted.  And a week’s suspension would be…”