The resignation from Cabinet of Minister of Agriculture, Gaspar Vega, has sent things in a tailspin in Belmopan. This afternoon, the Office the Prime Minister announced who succeeds Vega along with how the cabinet will now look. No surprise, the go-to Minister Godwin Hulse has been shuffled back and forth many times and has now […]
Late Tuesday evening, a memo from the Ministry of Education, titled “Withholding of Contributions towards Salaries for Teachers on Strike,” was released. According to the document, signed by Chief Education Officer Doctor Carol Babb, G.O.B. has decided to withhold salaries for teachers who went on strike from all government and grant-aided schools. The instructions issued […]
The memo from the Ministry of Education has obviously not been well received by the B.N.T.U. This afternoon, the B.N.T.U. executive met on the matter which could lead to further industrial action. President Luke Palacio said the union’s attorneys are carefully considering the legalities involved. Luke Palacio, National President, B.N.T.U. “We are also studying […]
According to the B.N.T.U., the salary deductions for the days on strike, is another form of attack against teachers. Palacio says that it is the school management that determines the issue of deductions. In a release this afternoon, B.N.T.U. calls the move a threat and bullying tactic by G.O.B. Luke Palacio, National President, B.N.T.U. […]
The memo requests information on the number of striking teachers to be delivered within hours earlier today. The B.N.T.U. believes that this latest missive is not an act of good faith on the part of government. Keesha Young, Executive Secretary, B.N.T.U. “We feel as if though that request is almost ridiculous. Schools were just […]
This afternoon the People’s United Party was quick to respond to the plight of the teachers. In a press conference today, Leader of the Opposition John Briceño demanded that the Government pay the teachers for the days of industrial action. Briceño says that G.O.B. has not only a legal obligation, but also a moral one […]
While the Ministry of Education and Belize National Teachers’ Union have not made up yet, the teachers were back in school in full force today. A check of schools across the Old Capital found students in their many uniforms returned to classes under the watchful eyes of their teachers. So even as the Union keeps […]
The Senate Select Committee on immigration proceeded with its sitting this morning in Belmopan. Government Senator Aldo Salazar was appointed chairman of the Senate Select Committee to investigate the immigration hustle revealed in the Auditor General’s special report. The Committee proceeds with its membership of two Government Senators – Salazar and Minister of State for […]
Senator Aldo Salazar’s appointment as chair comes after both Senator Elena Smith and Senator Ashley Rocke declined the chairmanship. Senator Rocke had previously stated that he and his family were threatened following the motion he introduced and led through the Senate at its last meeting. Senator Smith briefly explained why she dropped out of the […]
Senator Aldo Salazar has the task of shepherding the inquiry through to its conclusion. He was appointed by the Government and today he was questioned about whether he could remain sufficiently neutral as chairman to not affect the outcome of the inquiry. He responded by promising neutrality and fairness. Already, Minister of Immigration and Senator […]
When the immigration inquiry resumes, the P.U.P. will be back as part of the select senate committee. The Opposition withdrew over the composition and terms of reference of the committee. But today, they have had a change of heart. Leader of the Opposition John Briceño explains why the P.U.P. will now be in the investigation. […]
The untimely death of prominent attorney, Michael Young, continues to rattle the community. A man, highly respected and well liked, took his life on Tuesday after having lunch at his home in Bella Vista, Belize City. His wife found him dead in the bathroom and his licensed gun near his body. Speculation abounds of what […]
Minister of Defence John Saldivar has been placed on leave of absence for one week as of Tuesday. A press release issued on the same day stated that legal advice is to be obtained by the government on whether the steps Saldivar took were, “enough to effectively sever the business relationship established between the Minister and […]
But the Leader of the Opposition John Briceño says that John Saldivar should be canned! Briceño says that with the documents presented and based on the P.M.’s statement months ago, Saldivar should be fired. On Tuesday, Government announced that the Belmopan Minister is on a leave of absence pending legal opinion. According to Briceño, Saldivar […]
What does the resignation of former DPM Gaspar Vega mean for politics in the north? It is considered a blow for the U.D.P., but others see it as a gain for the P.U.P. According to Briceño, while he doesn’t relish in Vega’s misfortunes, he thinks his party will benefit from his absence. John Briceño, […]
Seismic testing in offshore Belize starts on Thursday. On Tuesday night you heard Chief Environmental Officer Martin Alegria say that the testing is a part of a regional initiative. The project started with a multi-beam survey and is now being followed up with seismic testing. G.O.B. approved the project following the D.O.E.’s recommendation that an […]
But with all the back and forth between D.O.E. and the marine conservation community, seismic testing is a done deal. It is scheduled to start on Thursday. But, not so fast say the watch dogs of this project. They say they are prepared to file an injunction and take it as far as they can […]
Gene Lopez, elected to the Belmopan City Council last year, is under suspicion of forgery of a land document using official property of the Council – the stamp and signature of Mayor Khalid Belisle. Detained on Tuesday afternoon, Councillor Lopez has been released while police await an official report from the Council. According to Superintendent […]
The overwhelming number of branches of the Belize National Teachers’ has agreed to end their eleven-day industrial action as of this evening and return to classes on Wednesday morning. This follows a round of meetings of the Council of Management and, this morning, of the ten branches of the Union at the same time countrywide. […]
The Union says that its eight-point agenda, the three percent salary adjustment deferral and Social Security coverage to and from work were just about fulfilled. There was no agreement on two points: the removal of Senator Godwin Hulse as Minister of Immigration and Police, and a five-person Senate Select Inquiry Committee rather than six. As […]
As the teachers and students return to class, there is concern about possible punitive measures including withholding of salaries for the eleven days of absences by teachers. The B.N.T.U. has promised to stand up for its teachers on this point, but the decision lies in the hands of school managements. Palacio made an urgent appeal […]
The B.N.T.U. picked up many endorsements from the wider society, but in terms of major support, both financial and in muscle on the street, was it enough to have pushed the strike even further? Palacio said he is reasonably satisfied by what the Union collected during its eleven days on strike. However, he said that […]
Senior Counsel Michael Young, a well-known and brilliant legal mind is dead at age sixty-one. He is the victim of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The shocking news of his untimely death wracked family and friends at home and abroad, as well as colleagues in the legal fraternity. Senior Counsel Young was also a member of […]
Late this evening, News Five spoke with attorney Richard ‘Dickie’ Bradley, a relative of Senior Counsel Young. He shared with us a brief reflection on the personal and professional life of the venerated lawyer. Richard ‘Dickie’ Bradley, Relative Michael Young “Actually we are in fact related by blood. His father and my mother, who […]
On Monday, the P.M. announced that Minister of Agriculture Gaspar Vega had resigned from cabinet, but not as area rep. Today, there is another move that will affect cabinet, but only for one week. The beheading of Pastor Llewellyn Lucas in July this year brought to light the relationship between Minister John Saldivar and murder […]
