6 term Toledo East Representative Mike Espat died on Monday night - and while plans are being made for his funeral - there is still some internal discord in the PUP about events preceding his death.
Thats because two weeks before his passing - Espat was publicly challenged for his seat by CEO in the Ministry of Economic Development Osmond Martinez - the same Ministry where Espat is a Minister of State.
Now, to be fair, we will stress that the man they rightly called Iron Mike could hardly be frightened by a neophyte like Martinez - but today his cousin Julius passionately explained that its the disrespect:
Julius Espat, Minister - MIDH
"He was disrespected."
Jules Vasquez:
"Yeah. You felt he was disrespected?"
Julius Espat, Minister - MIDH
"I dont feel so. He told me so."
"He was disrespected. His CEO went out to do something that was not authorized by the executive of the Peoples United Party. No, I am. Im executive member. And no, nothing was told to us. And and he was disrespected. His dignity was taken away. This man has won five times. This man, won six times. This man beat us up in cabinet whenever he come or whenever he sees us. nothing for himself. Always for his village, for his people. My CEO and I and my chief get texts from him on a daily basis. One timeI even blocked him andI told him,Mike I will block you because I am tired of you texting me. But I can tell him that he is my first cousin. And we have similar personalities so we know how to handle each other. Regrettably…the loved ones that we have love it."
"But we are passionate. He was disrespected and and I stand by that. And I called him and I said, Mike, whats happening? And I could feel it in his…. Mike is not emotional, but I am. He isnt. But I sensed it. And my God, one week after the man dropped dead. He should never have been disrespected. And I dont have anything against anybody vying for political office. But to make your CEO. CEO, I hope you dont do this. To make your CEO call, because Mike told me you know, he said they called me and they told me I want to hire you to advise me to run against you. You you can imagine that?"
"The Peoples United Party has rules and conventions are not open. Today.we are having a meeting at 2:00 to decide if conventions will be open or not. I want to see the cherry picking. I really want to see. But I called Mike, andI said anybody that goes after you, I. Im willing to go with you to a convention and stand beside you. Cayo South will stand with you. He said boy you are the last I think would call and tell me that. I told him its a matter of principle, its a matter of respect, Its a matter of dignity. And if we cant have that, we are lost. Thats how I feel."
Jules Vasquez:
"When I spoke to Luke, he felt that Mike died with that. With that pain in his heart."
Julius Espat, Minister - MIDH
"Of course it is what it is, Jules. We all have….the strongest of men when they go out there an give you this facade that theyre Iron Mike? Deep down we are human beings and youre hurted, Jules."
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