PUP shadow minister of agriculture, Orange Walk South's Jose Mai is on the attack against former Executive Director for BAHA, Emir Cruz. Cruz retired at the end of March after 7 years at BAHA. As part of his exit package, he got to take home his Director's vehicle, a 2016 Isuzu D-Max for a few thousand dollars. And while far form ideal, from our long observation of party politics in government, this kind of four-wheeled sendoff is not unusual; in fact, it's pretty standard.
But, for Jose Mai, it sends the worst message - especially when Baha is facing budget cute. We spoke to him about it via zoom yesterday:
Hon. Jose Mai- PUP Shadow Minister, Agriculture "What infuriates, what upsets the public service and employees of the statutory bodies is actions like these. When you cut 40% of BAHA subvention because things are tough out there, we are going through an economic crisis, but then you sell yourself a 2016 vehicle that is valued at $45,000. You sell it to yourself for $4,000. That is a shame. It is a paradox. You say one thing and then you do another. There is another document that shows the gentlemen goes and pays $1,200 duty on a 2016 vehicle. Now, you and I know that when farmers are trying to import their trucks, you don't pay anything like $1,200 for a 2016 vehicle, impossible."
Jules Vasquez- Reporter "Mr. Cruz has worked at BAHA for maybe 8 to 10 years, it could have been a part of his deal. A lot of people when they sign a contract they have in their exit feature of their contract an option to purchase the vehicle assigned to them upon leaving at a discounted price. Secondly, on the duty, those vehicles are 4 cylinder diesel engine vehicles. They don't even buy new. They don't pay a towering amount of duty. It is not an 8 cylinder fuel engine."
Hon. Jose Mai "Well, I don't know how much they would pay. But I will tell you something Jules, and you are being the devil's advocate here, I am certain that that vehicle would not be $1200. And secondly if there was a deal with Mr. Cruz then that deal must be disclosed because he was on contract."
Jules Vasquez "The BAHA board would have to sign off on something like this. So, it is not something he could do unilaterally."
Hon. Jose Mai "I certainly agree with you. He could not have acted unilaterally. I am certain he could not have acted alone. He could not have sold the vehicle to himself without the consent of the chairman."
We have confirmed independently that the Board - which Cruz does not sit on - set the sale price for the D-Max.
We did reach Cruz for comment, but he declined saying he has neither energy nor inclination to get into an exchange with Mai.
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PUP shadow minister of agriculture, Orange Walk South's Jose Mai is on the attack against former Executive Director for BAHA, Emir Cruz. Cruz retired at the end of March after 7 years at BAHA. As part of his exit package, he got to take home his Director's vehicle, a 2016 Isuzu D-Max for a few thousand dollars. And while far form ideal, from our long observation of party politics in government, this kind of four-wheeled sendoff is not unusual; in fact, it's pretty standard.
Hon. Jose Mai