Is Briceño Administration Undermining Work of P.C.C.?

Outside the House, Prime Minister John Briceño was also asked to respond to criticisms that his administration is undermining the work of the People’s Constitution Commission.  In his debate, the Opposition Leader noted that the Eleventh Amendment was among the reasons for the establishment of the commission. But, PM Briceño does not think his government’s actions are taking away from the powers of the commission. He was also asked if he thinks the amendment will send the wrong message to at-risk youths across the country.

Prime Minister John Briceño

Prime Minister John Briceño

“But if not now then when?”

Reporter

“But you are also undermining the process of the PCC PM.”

Prime Minister Briceno

“It has nothing to do with undermining. This was in the process where before the PCC. So, can I have another question.”

Reporter

“But the Social Partners objected greatly, so this will fail at the Senate. PM, deeply discriminatory that is how this eleventh amendment is being looked at by a lot of people. Do you consider that pushing this will cause a stain to be on your administration? Ruth Shoman has been sighted as one example. Your Minister of Education says she should be given another chance. What message are you sending to black youths out there with this?”

Prime Minister John Briceño

“I don’t think it has anything to do with… you all are giving too much importance to the Leader of the Opposition. I think that it simply whereby there has to be a correction. I don’t think it is right that you can block someone who committed a crime ion the Commonwealth, but yet someone outside of Belize committed a crime in Melchor or Chetumal can run. So we have to find a balance to fix. So we want to fix that right now but then we will also give the PCC an opportunity, hopefully when we come up with a new set of rules, but for now we need to see how we can fix this type of discrepancy.”