BELIZEANS COME OUT FOR FIRST PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON NINTH AMENDMENT

The first public consultation on the proposed Belize Constitution Ninth amendment was held last night in Belize City.

Marion Ali reporting...
"The first in a series of public consultations on the government's proposed Ninth Amendment Bill was held last night at the Holy Redeemer Parish Hall in Belize City. Following a detailed presentation of the bill by Solicitor General Cheryl Krusen the floor was open for comments. And as was anticipated, it made for a lively discussion and even a moment when the police were asked to intervene to keep law and order. Chairman of the forum, Minister of Public Service, John Saldivar, opened the event.

John Saldivar - Chairman
"I just want to caution people or persons that make interventions tonight and in future hearings that we don't want to turn these hearings into a road show which means that we will give preference to persons in these hearings that have not made interventions before."

One person who has been vociferous over the Ninth Amendment Bill and has vehemently objected it is Senator Lisa Shoman. Last night she read the Bar Association's position paper on the Bill, and then things got heated between her and Saldivar.

Senator Lisa Shoman - Participant
"The Bar Association calls on the Government to withdraw this proposed amendment in its entirety. There is not one single constitution that has ever sought to bar natural justice...

Minister John Saldivar - Chairman
Thank you...

Senator Lisa Shoman - Participant
And Mr Chairman, no, Mr Chairman you are going to hear me out....

Minister John Saldivar - Chairman
Thank you...

Senator Lisa Shoman - Participant
Mr. Chairman, no, I will not yield...

Minister John Saldivar - Chairman
Can we have the next speaker please? Ms. Shoman I gave you ample opportunity to speak....

Senator Lisa Shoman - Participant
Mr. Chairman...

Minister John Saldivar - Chairman
You took the opportunity to expound the Bar's position, I gave you an opportunity to expound your own position...

Senator Lisa Shoman - Participant
This is not a debate Mr. Chairman, this is not a debate

Minister John Saldivar - Chairman
There are many people behind you....

Senator Lisa Shoman - Participant
You are here to listen to us...

Minister John Saldivar - Chairman
Ms. Shoman I ask you to wrap up...

Senator Lisa Shoman - Participant
I will, I will Mr Chairman...

Minister John Saldivar - Chairman
I give you 30 seconds to wrap up...

Senator Lisa Shoman - Participant
Beautiful, as soon as they get quiet...

Minister John Saldivar - Chairman

I give you 30 seconds to wrap up...

Senator Lisa Shoman - Participant
As soon as they get quiet....

Minister John Saldivar - Chairman
Can we have silence please?

Senator Lisa Shoman - Participant
Mr. Chairman, this Committee is here....

Minister John Saldivar - Chairman
Can we have silence please? 30 seconds Ms. Shoman...

Senator Lisa Shoman - Participant
Thank you Mr. Chairman. This Committee is here to listen to the people, not to debate with it, not to scold it."

And then there were those who supported, but with concerns, such as Second Vice President of the Public Service Union, Jacqueline Willoughby-Sanchez, and others.

Jacqueline Willoughby Sanchez - Second Vice President, PSU
"Let me make it absolutely clear that whereas the Trade Unions are concerned we are absolutely in support of the Government owning utilities so there can be no qualms about that. However the Solicitor General made reference to that section in the Constitution where the certificate of the speaker is concerned and as I review that section it was made specific to section two, three and four as it determine that cannot be questioned in a court of law which in my mind shows that section to be specific whereas the new section nine is concerned that appears to be a little bit overreaching and my question would be, if in fact we are gearing this at whomever that they cannot come and challenge that in court why are we not making that section more in tune with the claiming of the utilities as opposed to making it so broad."

President of the Belize Council of Churches, Father Leroy Flowers, also joined in.

Canon Leroy Flowers - President, Belize Council of Churches
"One of our major concerns as a Church is that we are missing the opportunity to dialogue among ourselves, to listen to each other, without calling aspersions and names at each other. One is no more Belizean is one is for or against, that is a part of our democracy."

The consultation ended without incident and similar discussions are being planned for other locations across the country.

LOVEFM