Today was National Service Day - an observance created to honor the memory of National Hero George Price - who died six years ago today. The PUP laid a wreath on his grave, but they also put deeds into action by going to declare their assets and earnings to the non functioning integrity commission. He explained it is a symbolic gesture indicating his party's commitment to transparency - but he wasn't so transparent when we asked if they would publicly release the documents:...
Hon. John Briceno, Leader of the Opposition
"I think it is something symbolical, a symbolic gesture on our part to be able to present it even though we don't have an integrity commission we are going to go to Belmopan."
Jules Vasquez, 7News
"We know that there are ways of concealing assets and incomes. In terms of one can, for example, benefit from a company, but it's a shell company or it's in your family's name or there are ways obfuscating your true earnings. For example, you or your family is the owner of one of the largest telecommunications enterprises, but from a cable perspective as well the footprint of family's cable company, it has a monopoly from Ladyville up to into Corozal Town and the cable company continues. It's a huge company, it's a huge enterprise."
Hon. John Briceno, Leader of the Opposition
"I can assure that my holdings in those companies are going to be listed in my report. But what is important is that at this is part of the presentation that we are going to do next week on the 29, is that we have to ensure that the integrity commission has its own budget, that it has access to good attorneys and good accountants - that they can do the necessary research and to ensure that the reports that are given are as accurate as possible. Now if somebody wants to hide something, I mean there is no such guarantee, but I can assure you that we are going to do our very best for the integrity commission to be able to operate, to be independent and to have access to its own funding to be able to get its job done as efficiently and as best of its abilities."
Jules Vasquez, 7News
"Now sir, those records may not reach the light of day, because no integrity commission, only Mr. Barrow may even be appointed. Are you are prepared to publicly release the records that you all will file with the secretary of the integrity commission this morning."
Hon. John Briceno, Leader of the Opposition
"That is something that would warrant some kind of consideration, but I think first we have to give the Prime Minister an opportunity, because he has said that he is going to work on it and he is working arduously now with the chamber to see if they can find an accountant that is prepared to serve in that committee."
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