Philloughby Resigns from NEMO and Prepares for Port Loyola Race

Phillip Willoughby

Former four-term city councilor Phillip Willoughby took up the post of Operations Officer with the National Emergency Management Organization in April, following a stunning defeat of the United Democratic Party’s slate in the March seventh municipals.  Willoughby landed the job with NEMO just a few weeks after the election loss and was touted as having abundant knowledge and experience in the area of disaster and emergency management.  As it turns out, he resigned from the job today. That’s because the former councilor has his eyes set on Port Loyola and U.D.P. insiders are claiming that the contract with NEMO prevents him from seeking electoral office.  The letter was written to C.E.O. Ruth Meighan and the resignation is set to take effect on October eleventh.  That clears the way for Willoughby to challenge Attorney General Michael Peyrefitte, former Deputy Mayor Dean Samuels and A.C. Castillo for standard bearer of that constituency.  In responding to a report that he had accepted a job with the Ministry of Human Development in return for stepping aside, Samuels categorically states that he is not backing down from the challenge.  Earlier today, Belmopan Area Representative John Saldivar, who also has his eyes on the party leader’s seat, threw his support behind Willoughby, stating in a Facebook post that he has been in the trenches for the United Democratic Party for at least twelve years, has sacrificed his ambitions for the party and thus, deserves a chance to represent the U.D.P. at the parliamentary level.