Friday, February 5, 2021 AMANDALABelize Page 1 NO. 3435 BELIZE CITY, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2021 (52 PAGES) $1.50 PSC members won’t resign BELIZE CITY, Wed. Feb. 3, 2021 This week the chairman of the Public Service Commission (PSC), Charles KHMH patients must Gibson, announced that he and the other members of the commission have decided that they will not resign from bear the cost of PPE’s their posts at the PSC. He asserts that their resignation would be unconstitutional and would go against the principle of the rule of law. Just this Please turn to„Page 47 Ian Haylock challenges Comptroller COVID-19 BELIZE CITY, Wed. Feb. 3, 2021 has no choice but to have its patients This week the CEO of the KHMH bear the cost of those PPEs (personal Authority, Michelle Hoare, spoke with protective equipment) kits used daily Leslie’s Update the media concerning a new charge now by healthcare professionals, since not (See story on page 3) being seen by patients on their hospital appointment bills. CEO Hoare said that the hospital Please turn to„Page 47 Estevan Perera resigns as Elections and Boundaries chairman; Oscar Sabido appointed BELIZE CITY, Tues. Feb. 2, 2021 Earlier this week, Estevan Perera announced his resignation from the chairmanship of the Elections and Boundaries Commission. In a statement posted on social media, Perera commented, “It is unfortunate that the composition of the Election and Boundaries Commission has become publicized to the extent that it has. The mere fact that it was raised at the House of Representatives speaks volumes Please turn to„Page 46 Home invaders hold 1-year-old BELIZE CITY, Tues. Feb. 2, 2021 In early January 2021, the hostage in Belmopan Government of Belize announced the (See story on page 45) Please turn to„Page 45 Page 2 AMANDALABelize Friday, February 5, 2021 Ambassador designates officially appointed by Kory Leslie (freelance writer) Belize’s Permanent Representative to been named the Ambassador-Designate Former Non-resident Ambassador of the Organization of American States. to the Republic of China (Taiwan) and Belize to Nicaragua, Alexis Rosado, has BELIZE CITY, Thurs. Feb. 4, 2021 Young has served as the former CEO will succeed Cherie Nisbet, who has been named Ambassador-Designate to On Tuesday, February 2, Prime of Belize Electricity Limited and been named the new Ambassador- the European Union, and the Minister John Briceño published the remains a member of their board of Designate to the Republic of El Organization of African, Caribbean, and official list of ambassadors that his trustees. Belize City councilor Oscar Salvador. Pacific States, a post that will require administration has appointed. These Arnold has been named Ambassador- Lou-Anne Burns Martinez has been him to relocate to Belgium. Finally, ambassadors are tasked with cultivating Designate to the United Mexican States. named Ambassador-Designate to the Lawrence Sylvestre will once again be and strengthening bilateral relations Jose Alpuche has been appointed Republic of Cuba after previously Belize’s Ambassador-Designate to between the Government of Belize and Ambassador-Designate to the Republic serving as the CEO of Foreign Affairs. CARICOM. other nations to drive foreign policy, of Guatemala. Alpuche is also the Carlos Fuller, expert climatologist and Among this recent set of appointees trade, etc. former CEO of Agriculture. Therese Regional Liaison Officer of the for diplomatic postings is a historic A total of eleven ambassadors were Rath has been named High Caribbean Community Climate Change number of females (40%). All the named, including Amalia Mai, who is Commissioner-Designate to the United Center, will be Belize’s Permanent appointed diplomats will be working now the Non-Resident Ambassador- Kingdom and was formerly the Representative Designate to the United closely with the Foreign Minister, Hon. Designate to SICA. Mai, who was the chairperson of the Belize Tourism Nations. Eamon Courtenay. CEO of Great Belize Productions/ Board. Channel 5, was also recently named the Additionally, another member of the CEO of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Belize City Council completing their Lynn Young has been appointed term this March, Dr. Candice Pitts, has Minister Usher talks 9 Men in boat were on a about terminations by Kory Leslie (freelance writer) a record of achievements. “rescue mission”, says lawyer Regarding disciplinary measures, BELIZE CITY, Thurs. Feb. 4, 2021 Usher was asked how the new time.” He presented an alternative While addressing the media this week, government plans to streamline their interpretation of what was taking place the PUP chairman and Minister of the disciplinary process involving the Public when the men were found — that his Public Service, Hon. Henry Charles Service Commission, given that reports clients were on a rescue mission to help Usher, was asked about the ongoing have been made in the past that penalties the possible victims of the plane crash. terminations that have been seen within which were recommended for certain “If you hear that a plane has crashed, the various government ministries since public officers were never imposed. wouldn’t you want to try and see if you a PUP administration took the reins of These were his comments on that: can rescue somebody or try and go to government. Usher has stated that in “The Public Service Commission the scene of the crash?” Bradley said. order to ensure that any terminations that does have the final say when it comes to Bradley was outraged when he was are made do not overstep the discipline, but they make told, “Your clients were found in constitutional laws that govern recommendations, so it might not be the possession of two bales of cocaine.” employment and contracts, the disciplinary measure that that particular Bradley questioned, “Possession of Government has been receiving advice department wanted for that particular two bales? Wow!”, and he noted that from the Attorney General’s office as it public officer, but when it comes from despite public belief, such evidence is engages in hiring and firing. the Commission and the department is circumstantial because it has not been The Public Service Union (PSU) and told how to proceed it should be a very tested in court. Further questioning the other entities have also been calling for straightforward process. It shouldn’t be accuracy of the report, Bradley asked “All a review of the Public Service a back and forth. It’s a matter that goes by Dayne Guy 9 of them were in possession of two Regulations, especially where open-vote there, then, of course, if the public officer bales? Or the two bales were in a fishing employees are concerned. In reference is not satisfied with the discipline being ORANGE WALK, Mon. Feb. 1, 2021 net or something? “ to those efforts by the PSU, Usher recommended, he can appeal that as well Shortly after a total of 28 bales of The case, as Bradley explains it, has a stated, “There are a lot of areas within to the advisory council. So, all of that, cocaine were found near the Hill Bank lot of loose ends. He went on to claim the Public Service Regulations that need as you say streamlined, we have to look area, in the Orange Walk District, early that although he “was very impressed with a little tightening up, a little improvement, at all of those measures; we have to put Friday morning following the bust of a the police for being able to get their hands and we’ll be looking at all of those. The better timeframes in place. It can’t be recently landed drug plane, police on at least a portion [of the drugs]”, they Union has presented a lot of updates just an open-end thing; it has to be set arrested nine men, including two police had ultimately caught the wrong guys. that they would like to see happening in where due process is followed. The officers and a BDF soldier, who were Police had indicated in a report that the regulation, so we’ll be working very public officer knows his or her role and detained while allegedly fleeing the scene there was another boat that fled the scene. closely with them in terms of how we understands too that they are in a boat that contained 2 bales of Bradley believes this boat holds the move forward with the changes having accountable. The public officers are suspected cocaine. answers regarding the identity of the real to be made in the regulations, but the accountable to the people.” The 9 accused persons were culprits. Rather, he said, “the police regulations cover a number of issues, Usher stated that in terms of arraigned in the Magistrate’s Court of detained 9 persons who did not come they cover hiring, transfers, promotions, consultations, a broad range of groups Senior Magistrate Merlene Moody. They out of a plane, who were not seen jumping terminations, disciplinary measures, so will be involved, including the PSU and all pleaded not guilty, and the matter was out of a plane, who were not loading or there’s a lot going on in those various ministries, especially the Ministry adjourned until April 6, 2021, according unloading a plane.” regulations.” of the Public Service. Minister Usher also to their attorney, Richard “Dickie” Bradley believes instead that his clients Hon. Usher also mentioned that there reaffirmed the government’s stance that Bradley. have been wronged. They are to be is work being done to further enhance the Public Service Commissioners and When asked what information he released without bail as stipulated by the the efficiency and independence of the PSC chairman should step down so could share about the situation, he said Crime Control Act for that quantity of Public Service employees as well as that the Prime Minister can make the it was his understanding that his clients cocaine, he stressed.