WILLEMSTAD, CURAÇAO:--- Parliamentarian Gwendell Mercelina Jr. (PNP) expressed serious concerns following the public meeting regarding the actions of the Minister of Finance, Javier Silvania, related to the forgiveness of millions of guilders in tax debt. In a strongly worded letter addressed to the Minister, Mercelina again questions the legality and transparency of this decision and policy, emphasizing the potential negative consequences for good governance and tax morale in Curaçao. Even worse, without forgetting the accomplices: the coalition (MFK, KEM, Independents Jesus Leito and Djaoen Genaro) that tried to ratify this through a motion and mislead the people.
"The popular saying 'El que nada debe, nada teme' (he who owes nothing, fears nothing) is more relevant than ever in this context," Mercelina declares. "If the Minister is convinced that his actions were correct, why is he avoiding an independent investigation and accountability to Parliament and the people?"
Mercelina points out that the forgiveness, or "cleanup," or even "exoneration" as emphasized by various entities, of these debts, without a solid legal basis and ignoring advice from bodies like SER, WJZ, and the Court of Justice, raises serious doubts about the Minister's integrity and the decision-making process. He questions whether this decision opens the door to more forgiveness in the future, noting that since we are now in 2024, debts from 2019 and older could also be exonerated, and how this will affect public finances and trust in the tax system.
The parliamentarian demands clarity regarding the role of law firm De Roos & Pen in this matter and questions their independence and objectivity. He also requests an explanation regarding the tax debt forgiveness of private companies and government entities that were not tied to the presented policy, and the possible unequal treatment in these cases.
"The people of Curaçao, and now the world, have the right to know the truth," Mercelina concludes. "We expect Minister Silvania to answer these questions with urgency and transparency and to take responsibility for his actions."
Key points of the letter from Mercelina (PNP) to the Minister of Finance:
- Legality and transparency of the tax debt forgiveness
- Potential consequences for good governance and tax morale
- Role of law firm De Roos & Pen in the matter
- Tax debt forgiveness of private companies and government entities
- Unequal treatment and possible favoritism
- Need for an independent investigation and the Minister's accountability
