9th Amendment Consultation Road Show in P.G.

In Belize City at the Bliss, three Prime Ministers, past and present shared their perspective of nationhood on Wednesday night. While that forum was taking place another event was being staged in the southernmost district of Toledo. Punta Gorda residents as well as hundreds of villagers were transported to the multipurpose centre for the Ninth Amendment consultations.  It was a full house event that has become a political football game; it was painfully evident that many who support or oppose haven’t got a clue on what is at stake if the ninth is passed. News Five’s Isani Cayetano reports.

Isani Cayetano, Reporting

The southern leg of countrywide consultations on the proposed Ninth Amendment Bill was held in Punta Gorda Town on Wednesday with Minister John Saldivar deputizing as chairman of the Constitution and Foreign Affairs Committee in the absence of Minister Patrick Faber.  From the onset it appeared to be that residents of Toledo District like others elsewhere, who have attended and voiced their opinions on the suggested piece of legislation, are not fully literate on the ramifications of the proposed changes.  Despite supporting the bill Reynaldo Ico, a resident of Silver Creek, echoed that very sentiment.

Reynaldo Ico

Reynaldo Ico, Supports Ninth Amendment Bill

“Many do not understand this Ninth Amendment Bill but yet we have some people saying yes to the Ninth Amendment and no to the Ninth Amendment and as a Maya person I am kind of disappointed with my Maya people.  I have confidence that the Ninth Amendment to this constitution will serve the country the best interest of the masses of the people.  From experiences with the involvement of private corporate investors in our public utilities it has not worked well for the Belizeans. So, I stand here in support of the Ninth Amendment Bill, thank you and goodnight.”

Former president of the Belize National Teachers Union, Anthony Fuentes, took his opportunity at the podium to voice his disapproval of schools being closed for the day, less than a week and a half into the new academic year, in order to facilitate the movement of villagers into town for the public forum.

Anthony Fuentes

Anthony Fuentes, Doesn’t Support the Ninth Amendment Bill

“This government closed schools today in order to accommodate people from the villages to come to this consultation today.  My brother it’s a shame that school just re-opened on the fifth of September and you have the audacity to close school today when school just opened on the fifth of September.  It’s a shame and I’d like to register my disappointment.  In addition to that, in addition to that in the villages there were people going around asking for signatures.  Again I must say it’s a shame that you will have people sign on a referendum meaning that they do not support this consultation.  I personally do not, if one thing you’ll leave [with] from here today.  If [it’s] one thing you must leave with from here today is that I Anthony Fuentes as a citizen of Punta Gorda Town and the founder of the Toledo Teachers Credit Union do not support the Ninth Amendment.”

Another villager, who objected to the passage of the bill, pointed out that signatures were being solicited in exchange for food items, a move she says was an act of dishonesty on the part of village leaders.

Villager

Villager, Doesn’t Support Ninth Amendment Bill

“Is this for all Belizeans or is this for a political party because if we cannot get honesty from our village leaders then I am not ready to support the bill until my people are educated on what is taking place.  It hurts to know that some out there are just being used, like my friend before some time ago said he’s signing a paper concerning food when it is for this bill.  Now why should our village leaders be honest to our own people?  Until we can have or this can be explained to my people in the different villages of the south then I cannot support this bill. Thank you.”

Toledo East area representative and Minister of Social Transformation Peter Eden Martinez, on behalf of the current administration, also supported the proposed amendment as expected.

Peter Eden Martinez

However, it was his remark about the bussing of residents from the far reaches of the district that brings to question their knowledge of the issue.

Peter Eden Martinez, Minister of Social Transformation

“I am going to stick to it and support my government and I’ve asked my people, we have brought them from all parts of this district to say yes to the Ninth Amendment [Bill] and we are asking and you will be hearing it resoundingly today Mr. Chairman.  Thank you very much.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Isani Cayetano.