PHILIPSBURG:--- In the theater of St. Maarten politics, memory is often short, but the script remains tired and predictable. Few politicians embody this selective amnesia quite like Member of Parliament and Democratic Party Leader Sarah Wescot-Williams. Her maneuvering today to debunk a motion of disapproval against sitting Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina stands in stark, hypocritical contrast to her own ruthless playbook from 2015.

Let’s rewind the tape.

In October 2015, the political landscape was set ablaze when Wescot-Williams tabled a motion of no confidence against the Gumbs Cabinet. At the time, her rhetoric was sharp and unforgiving. The motion cited a government "oblivious" to the urgent needs of the people, from healthcare to housing, and decried a "blatant disrespect" for Parliament.

But the devil is in the details of how that execution was carried out. Then Prime Minister Marcel Gumbs was not even present to defend himself against the accusations levied by Wescot-Williams. In fact, reports indicate he was in the air—literally flying—when his political fate was sealed.

Did Wescot-Williams care about due process then? Did she pause to consider the stability of the nation or the fairness of trying a man in absentia? No. She had no interest in giving Gumbs time to defend himself. The objective was power, and the method was a surprise ambush supported by a coalition of defectors and opposition members. It was a cold, calculated move that toppled a government without a backward glance at "protocol" or "fair play."

Fast forward to today. The same Sarah Wescot-Williams, who once orchestrated the firing of a Prime Minister mid-flight, is now the shield for Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina. When faced with a motion of disapproval against the current leadership, she suddenly finds the moral high ground to debunk it.

The hypocrisy is not just real; it is suffocating.

When it suited her agenda in 2015, instability was a necessary price to pay for removing a government she deemed leaderless. She stood by as MP Silvio Matser "drew a line in the sand," severing ties with the UP party and plunging the Council of Ministers into chaos. Back then, the narrative was about saving the country from a lack of leadership and an absence of a measurable government program.

Yet now, when similar questions of competence and governance arise, the rules of the game have conveniently changed. The aggression she wielded against Gumbs has been replaced by a protective stance for Mercelina. 

It begs the question: Is her compass guided by the genuine welfare of St. Maarten, or merely by who sits in the chair next to her?

In addition to her glaring double standards, one must also question Sarah Wescot-Williams' apparent indifference to the plight of St. Maarten's frontline workers, who have been on a go-slow for over a year. These are the very individuals who keep the wheels of the nation turning, yet their grievances remain unresolved, their voices unheard. Where is Wescot-Williams' urgency for accountability and action when it comes to addressing their concerns? Does their struggle not warrant the same fervor she once displayed in toppling a government? Or perhaps their votes and well-being simply do not align with her current political agenda. The silence is deafening, and it raises yet another troubling question: How can a leader claim to champion the people while ignoring the backbone of the nation?

Sarah Wescot-Williams cannot have it both ways. She cannot be the executioner of 2015, silencing a Prime Minister without hearing, and the righteous defender of 2026, crying foul when the opposition utilizes the very tools she once sharpened. St. Maarten deserves governance based on consistent principles, not the whimsical convenience of its longest-serving politicians. Until our leaders can look in the mirror and address their own history, the island will remain trapped in this cycle of instability and distrust.

This brand of political double standards does more than just annoy the electorate; it erodes the very foundation of public trust. How can the people of St. Maarten believe in the integrity of their institutions when the rules of engagement shift with the political winds? When "accountability" is a weapon used only against enemies, and "stability" is a shield reserved only for allies?

In 2015, MP Franklin Meyers noted during the debate that "the only thing that exceeds power here is the craving for more power." That statement rings truer today than ever.

PHILIPSBURG:---Today’s public meeting in the Parliament of Sint Maarten was nothing short of a political spectacle, marked by chaos, frustration, and a dramatic walkout by opposition MPs and coalition member MP Ludmilla De Weever. The tribune, filled with disillusioned firefighters and ambulance workers, also emptied in protest, leaving the hall in a state of disarray. The session, which was meant to address a motion of disapproval against Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina, ended abruptly due to a lack of quorum, further highlighting the dysfunction plaguing the government.

Deputy Prime Minister Steps in Amid Prime Minister’s Absence

In the absence of Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina, Deputy Prime Minister Grisha Heyliger-Marten attempted to fill the void, addressing Parliament on matters related to the Ministry of General Affairs, especially pertaining to the firefighters and ambulance workers who have been on a go-slow for more than a year. Her presence was a response to repeated calls from members of Parliament for substitute ministers to step in when the Prime Minister is unavailable. However, her efforts to provide clarity and respond to questions were overshadowed by the escalating tensions in the chamber.

Chairlady of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams acknowledged the Deputy Prime Minister’s attempt to address the concerns raised by MPs but lamented the absence of the Prime Minister himself. Despite the Deputy Prime Minister’s presence and the attendance of the Minister of VSA and their support staff, the meeting could not proceed due to insufficient members present to establish a quorum. Chairlady Wescot-Williams confirmed the roll call, noting the absence of several MPs, and declared that the meeting would resume next Monday, with the expectation that the Prime Minister will finally appear to address the pressing issues.

A Motion of Disapproval and a Crisis in Leadership

The motion of disapproval, presented by Opposition MP Francisco Lacroes, outlined a litany of failures under the Prime Minister’s leadership. These included the persistent inability of departments under his purview—such as legal affairs, personnel, and the Fire Department—to provide adequate support to other ministries, leading to operational breakdowns and diminished public trust. The motion also highlighted the ongoing "go-slow" action by the Fire Department and ambulance services, which has severely impaired emergency response capacity since April of last year, endangering public safety and the country’s tourism sector.

The Prime Minister’s repeated failure to address long-standing personnel and labor issues, including the refusal to properly compensate Fire Department personnel for years of service under incorrect salary scales, has only deepened the crisis. The motion called for urgent action to resolve these issues and demanded that the Prime Minister return to Parliament within six weeks with a full update.

Opposition Walkout and Public Outrage

The frustration reached a boiling point when Chairlady Wescot-Williams announced that the Prime Minister would be given the opportunity to respond to the motion and outstanding questions in the next session. Opposition MPs, joined by coalition member Ludmilla De Weever, walked out in protest, signaling their dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the crisis. The firefighters and ambulance workers, who had filled the tribune in a show of solidarity, also marched out, leaving the hall eerily empty and underscoring the gravity of the situation.

A Nation Left in Limbo

As the meeting adjourned, the public was left with more questions than answers. The Deputy Prime Minister’s attempt to address the concerns was commendable but ultimately insufficient in the absence of the Prime Minister. The lack of quorum and the dramatic walkout by MPs and emergency service workers further highlighted the deep divisions and dysfunction within the government.

The meeting is set to resume next Monday, with the Prime Minister expected to finally face Parliament and address the motion of disapproval. However, the damage to public trust and the morale of emergency service workers has already been done. The people of Sint Maarten are left wondering whether their leaders can rise to the occasion and resolve the crisis or if this will be yet another chapter in a saga of political inaction and broken promises.

For now, the nation waits, but patience is wearing thin. The stakes are higher than ever, and the safety, security, and well-being of the people hang in the balance. Monday’s session will be a defining moment for the government and a test of its ability to lead in the face of mounting challenges.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Permanent Committee of Petitions (CP) will be meeting on January 30, 2026.  

The Committee meeting is scheduled for Friday at 10.00 hrs. in the Legislative Hall at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg.

The agenda point is:

Proposal Ad Hoc Committee regarding GEBE

Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations. All persons visiting the House of Parliament must adhere to the house rules.

The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg. 

The parliamentary sessions will be carried live on TV 15, Soualiga Headlines, via SXM GOV radio FM 107.9, via Pearl Radio FM 98.1, the audio via the internet www.sxmparliament.org, www.pearlfmradio.sx and www.youtube.com/c/SintMaartenParliament 

Willemstad, Curaçao:---  Orco Bank N.V. reported a strong financial performance in 2025, reflecting sustained economic growth in Curaçao, Bonaire, and Sint Maarten, alongside strategic investments in digital banking and customer accessibility. Total assets increased by 18.3% to XCG 2.5 billion, while customer deposits grew by 18.7% to XCG 2.3 billion, underscoring continued confidence in the bank. Loans and advances expanded by 34.3% to XCG 1,485 million, supporting both retail and corporate clients, and the bank recorded a net result of XCG 29.1 million. Key milestones during the year included the successful transition of the CIBC FirstCaribbean portfolio in Sint Maarten, the bank’s first AutoXperience car Loan campaign in Curaçao, and the expansion of ATM and self-service locations across Curaçao and Sint Maarten. Looking ahead, Orco Bank remains focused on strengthening client relationships, expanding digital services, and supporting sustainable economic development throughout the region. Attached image: Managing Director & CEO of Orco Bank: Mr. Edward Pietersz