Eric Chang has not been back to Belize since his name came up in the passport scandal that has been dogging the government. It has been a little over a month and a half since Chang departed for Taiwan along with a delegation from City Hall for the Asia Pacific City Summit. But he stayed […]
According to Mayor Bradley, there are statutes within the City Council Act which prohibit councilors from prolonged, unexplained absences from office. In this case, Chang has not maintained sufficient contact with City Hall to keep the mayor abreast of his extended stay. The mood among fellow councilors during this morning’s meeting was one of uncertainty, […]
The sale of visas to Asian nationals and others by agents has been ongoing for years facilitated by high level officials. Last Thursday, the Prime Minister told the media that he has told ministers involved to “for God’s sakes” stop it because this could bring down the government. Earlier this year, Belizean Carlos Murga, was […]
Minister Elrington says that despite his secretary not having any involvement in the sale or facilitation of Belizean visas, direct measures were taken to transfer her from Foreign Affairs. The ministry, he says, has a strict policy against any allegations of misconduct. Isani Cayetano “Very recently or sometime ago, there was an incident involving […]
Foreign Minister Wilfred Elrington has also weighed in on the passport scandal. His position is that despite the severe infractions that have taken place at the Immigration Department at the hands of former Minister of State Elvin Penner, those wrongdoings pale in comparison to what has been taking place in the ministry all along. Elrington […]
The investigation into the passport scandal is in its thirtieth day. There have been two major press conferences during that time. The Financial Intelligence Unit is on the case. The Police are on the case. And with all that, there is still absolutely no official clarification of what has been found. Elvin Penner is at […]
We first reported on Huang Maoru in May 2008. Maoru caught our attention because he was the first Belizean to make it as the richest man on Forbes Magazine. Huang is a native from Shenzen, Mainland China. We don’t know who signed his nationality papers or passport, but it is believed he obtained those legally […]
The Ambassador of Taiwan to Belize has remained under the radar as it relates to the passport scandal even though Wonhong Kim was in a Taipei prison when he obtained Belizean nationality and citizenship. Ambassador David Wu told News Five today that while he shared information about Kim with G.O.B., he is more concerned if […]
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Barrow threw Elvin Penner under the bus and asked him to resign as area representative and from the United Democratic Party. The Prime Minister’s decision came after further evidence surfaced over the past weekend that Penner was involved in the issuance of more nationality certificates and passports. Today, we canvassed ordinary […]
While ordinary Belizeans overwhelming support a criminal investigation, we asked the private sector today if they support a motion for a senate investigation. During a special sitting on October second, Opposition Senator, Lisa Shoman proposed that the senate leads an independent investigation into the improprieties at the Immigration and Nationality Department. While the Belize Chamber […]
According to Senator Lizarraga, once approved, the objective of the inquiry is to unravel what has transpired within the Immigration Department with a view to prevent this type of misconduct from reoccurring. Mark Lizarraga, Business Senator “The upper house, unfortunately today, still gives the government or the executive the majority. So at the end […]
The Fort Street Tourism Village was created to give Belizean businesses an opportunity to profit from tourism. But for some time now, there has been a change in ownership and that implies that there are new contracts and rules for the tenants who have their businesses inside the duty free zone. Well since that change, […]
After two weeks on remand, freelance reporter, Roy Davis, left the courtroom today a freeman. Two weeks ago, Davis was convicted of wounding Joyceln Davis when he punched her on the face. Davis pleaded for leniency but the Chief Magistrate Ann Marie Smith ordered him to pay McClari two hundred dollars by next week Friday […]
NICH in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) is hosting a two day film festival. It is a cultural exchange program that will open with a reception on Friday. On Saturday and Sunday the program will open to the general public, featuring cultural invitees and artists. Three films will be showcased […]
On October eight, the Constitution and Foreign Affairs Committee met in Belmopan. On the table were amendments to the Criminal Code, officially proposed to strengthen the protection of children against sexual offenders. It’s the worthiest possible goal, say government and social proponents – and the churches agree. They just don’t exactly agree on some of […]
On October tenth, Belizeans joined in on the celebration of World Mental health Day. This year’s theme focused on Mental Health & Older Adults. And while the aging population certainly faces a number of challenges from memory loss, Alzheimer’s and even depression; the people who take care of their daily needs are also at risk. […]
