Deshawn Arzu-Torres to Take Up New Post as Chair of Integrity Commission

Deshawn Arzu-Torres

The Senate met in special session this morning. On the agenda were a number of appointments. The Integrity Commission has been without a chair since last December when Marilyn Williams vacated the seat to take up an appointment to the Supreme Court.  Over six months later, government has appointed attorney Deshawn Arzu-Torres to head the commission.  Torres’ appointment was met with mixed reaction from parliamentarians when it was raised in the Senate this morning. Thirteenth senator Osmany Salas questioned why the candidate was never brought before the upper house for scrutiny.

Osmany Salas

Osmany Salas, Senator for N.G.O. Community

“The Integrity Commission has been without a chair for quite a while.  It’s a very important body and so I congratulate government for moving to fill the post of chairperson.  Even though the standing orders are silent on this matter Mr. President, I thought to request as a senate, the upper chamber, we would have the opportunity to interview Mrs. Deshawn Arzu-Torres.  The fact is, when I got my papers a CV [curriculum vitae] was included and I do not know Mrs. Arzu-Torres and through her CV alone, I do not know much else about Mrs. Arzu-Torres.  And while I recognize that the chairperson of that commission is appointed by the Governor General on the advice of the prime minister, after consultation with the Leader of the Opposition, I also recognize and must mention that if this senate is not only meant to be a rubber stamp.  We should have the opportunity to get to know the person that would fill that very important post.”