Feb 24, 2020

Thousands of P.U.P. Supporters March Against Corruption

The People’s United Party is energized tonight. In the thousands, supporters came from the villages, towns, cayes, and from the two cities in what looked like the greatest show of anti-corruption.  They marched from Faber’s Road through the streets all the way to the Battlefield Park in the heart of the city. A long list of political scandals has rocked the government, but the latest that played out in a Utah court, triggered the P.U.P.’s call to action. The anti-corruption march also touched on unaccounted government spending, lack of economic activity and neglect of Belizeans. In the following report, News Five’s Andrea Polanco looks at Sunday’s march.

 

Andrea Polanco, Reporting

A march against corruption – that’s what the People’s United Party did on Sunday. P.U.P. supporters – Belizeans from across the country were bussed into Belize City for the national demonstration. The supporters showed up energized, dressed in blue shirts, carrying flags and posters, and along with their area reps and standard bearers, marched along Central American Boulevard, on to Freetown Road and Douglas Jones Street, across the BelChina Bridge and onto Cemetery Road before it culminated at the Battlefield Park. Leader of the Opposition John Briceno led the charge for this political protest.

 

John Briceño, Leader, P.U.P.

“The message is that the people are tired of this U.D.P. government. They are tired of the corruption. The vindictiveness and they want hope. And the only hope they have now is having a government that is led by the People’s United Party.”

 

But for many Belizeans, the answer to stomp out corruption may not be as simple as voting in a new political party, considering that the P.U.P.’s past was beleaguered with allegations – one that the U.D.P. and sections of the public haven’t forgotten.

 

John Briceño

“We had our problems but we worked to fix them once it was brought to our attention. Here we have a U.D.P. Government that continues to cover up their mistakes. They have never tried to stand up and say we have done something wrong. We have John Saldivar that continues to say that he is not going to step down as the leader of the U.D.P.  That is shameful and disgraceful and the Prime Minister seems to be able to do anything about it.”

 

Hipolito Novelo

“Sir, what has the P.U.P. done internally to address some of these issues?”

 

Julius Espat, Area Representative, Cayo South

“The party leader and executive of the leader have overwhelmingly accepted our reform proposals. You know I have been fighting for that since 2012. Now we have it in our manifesto and it is a promise by the party leader to make sure that it happens in the first hundred days and that is all you can ask for right now.”

 

Andrea Polanco

“How can the P.U.P. show the people of this country that you guys have changed you are really the solution to this thing?”

 

Florencio Marin Jr., Area Representative, Corozal Southeast

“You guys are referring to something that happened over twelve years ago, decades ago. That if you remember this government took them to court and they were all vindicated. But I think it is a false thing to be bringing that up.”

 

Andrea Polanco

“Regardless if it happened one year ago or five years ago, Belizeans are people who have long memory. And a lot of them, if you see the sentiment on Facebook, it is that P.U.P. is saying that that U.D.P. stinks of corruption and they have a stench on them from years ago. It is still the sentiment of the people and you cannot ignore it?”

 

Florencio Marin Jr.

“Well, that is why the Party Leader outlined a lot of initiatives last week and if you go back to that and the country needs it.”

 

The P.U.P. area representatives and standard bearers from the tip of the north to deep south marched alongside their supporters. They say that the protest was prompted by corruption, but a national showing like this is also about the people’s concerns. The P.U.P. leaders say that the people showed up because of a decade long neglect.

 

Cordel Hyde, Area Representative, Lake Independence

“I think the people are sending a strong message that they want theirs. They want their government. They want their resources. What they have seen over the last dozen years is that a handful of people have gotten everything and the vast majority has gotten nothing. And what we are saying with these numbers here is that people want theirs.”

 

Andrea Polanco

“Is the P.U.P. ready to make some of these changes you are championing out here today – because to many of these people this dah just promises?”

 

Cordel Hyde

“We have to mien. We have to mien. I was just saying to someone that fifteen years ago, the unions marched along with the government that was in opposition then and fifteen years later they have to march with fifteen years ago and if that have to happen ten years from now. It nuh wah be the blood of the landless, the jobless or the hopeless. So we have to do something now because we di lose wi country right before our very eyes. We have no choice. [Cheering]”

 

David Castillo, P.U.P. Standard Bearer, Corozal North

“The people have reached a point where they are ready for a change. They are desperate for a change. And the people of Corozal North are ready for the P.U.P.”

 

Hipolito Novelo

“Do you believe the P.U.P. is that change that they are craving?”

 

David Castillo

“Certainly. If you watch the history of the P.U.P., their track record is the party that represents prosperity. It is the party that has grown our economy. It is the party that fought for independence for our Belizean people. When we go back into the north, we have cane farmers because of the PUP. We have the Corozal Free Zone because of the P.U.P.   I can go on and on.”

 

Andrea Polanco

“Talk to us about the sentiments of your people; are they in touch and are they keeping abreast of this national discussion of corruption in the country?”

 

Mike Espat, Area Representative, Toledo East

“I am surprised myself. When you go into the villages, you would expect that they are not listening to the news but today the media is not what it was ten years ago and that has made a tremendous difference because people are listening. Maybe they don’t understand all the facts but they are listening and that makes them more concerned about what is happening in Belize.”

 

Julius Espat

“We are tired of corruption. The Belizean people want a change. They want to be led honestly and they want to make sure that the people’s money are spent positively and that priorities are placed in how the money is spent. I think people are not asking for more than that and government has refused to comply with that. That is why you see people walking on the streets.”

 

Hipolito Novelo

“Sir, how does one stomp out corruption from government?”

 

Julius Espat

“It has to start from the top in this case. Most people say we have to start from the bottom, but we have leaders that have abused the law. I think we need to start from the top down, both political parties need to understand that the leaders are there to serve the people and if we don’t get that we have to force it on them and that is where we are right now.”

 

While the central message was against corruption, the thousands who took to the streets did so for other reasons. Some said that lack of development and opportunities in their communities motivated them; many protesters pointed out that it was their loyalty to the P.U.P.; while others cited that they just want a change in the country, considering the U.D.P. has been in office for over a decade.

 

Toledo Resident

“I am here because we want a change from this government.”

 

Andrea Polanco

“What kinda change are you hoping for?”

 

Toledo Resident

“Well, especially in Toledo, we are forgotten especially when this government came in. The government came in and said we would be forgotten and we are tired of it and we are showing them that we will be voting for another party that can do better for us. There has been no kind of development in Toledo, especially about roads; our students have problems to go to school and we know that if we put in this party in government it will work because we have seen it before.”

 

Andrea Polanco

“So, the issue of corruption is one that matters to you?”

 

Corozal Bay Constituent

“Yes, because it comes down to the money that we pay in taxes and other things. We are hoping that it can help us and our next generation to live better, not to live in poverty. We see a lot of people without jobs but there are few people who are getting all the big money and the rest of us are living poor.”

 

Pauline Nelson, Dangriga Resident

“We suffering so much hard time and that is why I had to come. Me and my ma, although my ma almost ketch stroke, I still bring ah.”

 

Andrea Polanco

“Are you a long time supporter of the P.U.P.?”

 

Pauline Nelson

“Of course I am long time supporter.”

 

Francisco Tush, Toledo Resident

“The P.U.P. is my party since Mr. Marcia Mes win the election. So, I am with them up to now and I am tired of the U.D.P.”

 

Andrea Polanco

“So, you’re long standing P.U.P.  Why have you kept supporting this party over the years?”

 

Francisco Tush

“Because we see that they help. They fix Machaca Road. They help us with our water system and everything.”

 

Reporting for News Five, I’m Andrea Polanco.