Opposition Leader Michael Pintard during the mid-year budget debate in the House of Assembly on March 5, 2025. Photo: Dante Carrer/Tribune Staff
By EARYEL BOWLEG
Tribune Staff Reporter
ebowleg@tribunemedia.net
AFTER the chairman of the Public Disclosures Commission suggested facility issues are slowing down processing of public officials’ declarations of assets, liabilities and income, FNM leader Michael Pintard said his commission must be more forthcoming about who has complied with the law.
“A problem with the office does not affect all of us filling out the information and sending it in,” Mr Pintard said. “Even if not all the details are there, the flexibility allows you to get in the core information and to update it. So really, we ought to be submitting that information.”
Public Disclosure Commission chairman Bishop Victor Cooper told The Tribune on Tuesday that the committee had encountered “some setbacks” in processing disclosures. While the law requires public officials to declare their assets by 1st March, he could not say who had failed to do so and was uncertain when the office issues would be resolved.
Previously, Bishop Cooper has falsely said that while the committee compiles reports, it does not have the authority to publish them in the Gazette.
Mr Pintard criticised the absence of a published list of compliant and non-compliant officials.
“The head of the Public Disclosure Commission is a pastor, so I would not want to characterise him as copping out,” he said.
“I would only say that the commission has to be more forthcoming in providing us with the list.”
He noted that some senators were not compliant last year, yet the commission refused to release the names of non-compliant members of Parliament, despite having an obligation to do so.
“This isn’t an option — they have to release the information,” he said.
He suggested that some government members, including at the Cabinet level, fundamentally oppose public disclosure laws.
“Philosophically, they do not believe that, and therefore, they’re not prepared to comply with a law that they don’t believe in,” he said.
Comments
TalRussell 1 month, 1 week ago
Let's be clear! -- The read by popoulaces' IS that regardless of mold or no mold -- ALL 2021-2024 RedShirts who by law must be are in full compliance with declarations of assets, liabilities and income and according to before mentioned years. -- According to no finger pointed at King of England's Loyal Opposition -- or so says Pintard. -- Yes?
bahamianson 1 month, 1 week ago
Same dog and pony show as is every year. They need to be punished, simple as that.
TalRussell 1 month, 1 week ago
@Bahamianson, Yes, even during a financial trial --- All kinds disclosure documents does get entered into evidence by either Defense or Prosecution. -- Yes?
K4C 1 month ago
disclosures, are they verified ?
TalRussell 1 month ago
@ComradeK4C, It's a law that has never been enforced because it's essential to protect the corruptible two parties T Shirts colours. -- Yes?
birdiestrachan 1 month ago
MR PINTARD I THINK THEY GETTING RID OF.HIM . THEY WANT DOC OR THE RUDE ONE WHO THREW THE MACE OUT OF THE HOUSE SIX OF ONE HALF DOZEN OF THE OTHER
Sickened 1 month ago
On point as always Birdie. ROFL. Not sure if you understand the English language so good.
Obviously you have no problem of nobody discloses so I assume you think the law should be removed? Maybe until the FNM get back into power? Then you'll be yelling for it.
TalRussell 1 month ago
Popoulaces'; what's your interest level for hearing out the first 19 candidates under Coalition of Independents? -- Has COI 19 impressed you any, so far. --Yes?
ExposedU2C 1 month ago
Yup, we need our own Jan 6 insurrection event in order to put a most disruptive PM in power to clean house. The electorate must refuse to vote for PLP or FNM candidates in the next general election including candidates with close past ties to either of these two political parties that have been destroying our country.
sheeprunner12 1 month ago
How do these lousy people retain these Board appointments? Like this Bishop????
One of the worst ever was Fr. Moultrie at PSC
hrysippus 1 month ago
Well, yes, maybe, but the field is packed....
BONEFISH 1 month ago
Those parliamentarians who do not complied with the disclosures should be prosecuted. The prime minister and the leader of the opposition should disclose the names who have not filed their disclosures.
TalRussell 1 month ago
@ComradeBonefish, at what point in time would there be reasonable grounds for arrests without warrants of offenders by members popoulaces' -- provided carried out by lawful means. -- Yes?
ExposedU2C 1 month ago
All of us need to stop complaining and consider taking matters into our own hands, as many other nations have already done, including the U.S.
sheeprunner12 1 month ago
Let me ask a Question
For how BAD the New Day PLP is running this government cycle (2021-26), what will change or who will clean up the mess ........ If by chance there is a change of political parties in 2026???????
That is what the citizens have been crying for since 2002, with NO relief from bad governance by PLP or FNM.
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