Luke Espat says he is excited and ready to contest Cayo Central
But Silva won’t be back, at least not officially, until he gets past the P.U.P.’s vetting process. That process should be applied to all persons who aspire to contest conventions on the P.U.P. ticket. Party Leader Francis Fonseca says that Silva will get no free pass, even though he may get some consideration because of his history with the P.U.P. If Silva gets the green light, he will face off against Luke Espat in Cayo Central. That’s if Espat also gets a green light from the vetting committee. Today, News Five spoke to Fonseca and political challenger Espat for a response to Silva’s return.
Francis Fonseca, PUP Leader
“I was made aware of it last evening. Like every other candidate Dan Silva will have to apply to be a candidate if he intends to run in Cayo Central and his application will have to be vetted like everybody else. But Dan Silva obviously has a long history and a long relationship with the People’s United Party in Cayo so certainly that is something that we will have to look at very closely. The committee will have to evaluate all information made available to the committee. There are several committees…layers of checks as it relates to these applications. Mr. Silva as I have said has not applied so I don’t want to get ahead of myself. He has not applied. I have heard what has been reported to you, that he made an announcement at an executive meeting last evening. But certainly when he applies all factors that are deemed relevant will have to be taken into consideration.”
Luke Espat, PUP Political Aspirant, Cayo Central
“I have always heard that he is running. I’ve been hearing that for the past three elections….that he’s going to run, then he’s not going to run, then he’s going to run, then he’s not going to run. But I think it’s a good thing. We’ll be ready for the convention on December the eighth I think it has been set.”
Mike Rudon
“So it doesn’t affect your feeling about running?”
Luke Espat
“Absolutely not! We are more excited now that there will be somebody to run against.”
According to Fonseca, the vetting takes place after the convention date has been announced, and should be completed at least two months before convention day.