P.U.P. Goes after “Coward” Minister for Smith Attack

John Briceño

Saldivar’s Facebook post is seen as a form of cyber bullying, for which there are no laws to protect victims. Of equal concern is that Saldivar appears to be using the power of his office as minister of the security forces to threaten the senator.  Attorney-at-law and former parliamentarian Lisa Shoman, in her address at the teachers’ rally today, says Saldivar’s comments are unacceptable. Meanwhile, Opposition Leader John Briceño says it is an unmanly act.

John Briceño, P.U.P. Leader

“It was just brought to my attention this morning about what John Saldivar or the attack that he did on Senator Elena Smith. And I think that is a cowardly act. I mean he should be a man and respect women and for him to do that as the Minister of National Security, I think that should be grounds for the Prime Minister to sanction him, but as we know the Prime Minister is not going to do that.”

Lisa Shoman

Lisa Shoman, Attorney-at-law

“John Saldivar, you are out of line. You have absolutely no evidence or right to be referring to Elena Smith in the manner in which you did. You are using your position as a minister of government as a bully pulpit because you think you are more powerful than our teachers. It is only a matter of time before you Minister Saldivar realize the power that our teachers have. (Cheers) Just as evil cannot triumph over good, you will not shut our teachers up. (Cheers) And in the meantime, Minister Saldivar, our teachers will continue to do what they were put on Earth to do. You worry about your glass window Minister, because we worry about Belize.”