Philipsburg:--- With the constant rumors and photo shots of Member of Parliament Frans Richardson wanting to go independent and to support the current coalition SMN News felt it is necessary for us to remind the good gentleman that making deals of self enrichment can be detrimental. Already we know that the Member of Parliament has been trying to get the casino license for his campaign manager and good friend Obencio Fleming. It is also clear that when the license is issued, the Member of Parliament will stand to benefit financially since Dolphin Casino will be in his property, the former Sunset Building in Simpson Bay.Therefore, we decided to research the Constitution of St. Maarten which is the only legal basis for keeping politicians in line. While doing the research we stumbled on Article 56 of the constitution of St. Maarten which reads as follows.
"The members of the Parliament shall make the following oath (declaration and promise) to the Governor before accepting their appointments:
"I swear (declare) that I have neither given nor promised anything, nor shall I give or promise anything, howsoever described and under any pretext, to anyone whomsoever, either directly or indirectly, in connection with my election as a member of the Parliament.
I swear (promise) that I shall not accept any promise or gift, from anyone at all, either directly or indirectly, in order to do or refrain from doing anything in the course of this appointment.
I swear (promise) allegiance to the King and the Constitution of the Kingdom, that I shall always help to uphold the Constitution of Sint Maarten and that I shall champion the interests of Sint Maarten to the best of my ability.
So help me Almighty God. (And I hereby make this declaration and promise)
Member of Parliament Frans Richardson took this oath when he took office as a Member of Parliament a year ago. Any semblance of self interest, promise or gift of any kind will breach the oath the good gentleman took.
Already, the Prosecutor's office indicated that they will be conducting an investigation into the so-called fraud at the tourist office where the Member of Parliament is allegedly implicated.
That investigation has not yet begun but the move Member of Parliament Frans Richardson is trying to make may surely place in him in a vulnerable position which he would have to explain to law enforcement and the over 600 voters who placed their confidence in him when they voted last September.
It should also be noted that Richardson is not the only Member of Parliament who decided to switch sides since the election. However, the other one who declared himself independent and claimed to have a faction in parliament is yet to submit an official letter of resignation to the National Alliance Faction.