PHILIPSBURG:--- Member of Parliament Ardwell Irion acknowledges the ruling delivered on October 16, 2025, by the Court of First Instance of Sint Maarten in the summary case filed by Mr. Jairo Bloem. While the Court ordered a partial rectification limited to one remark in a People’s Tribune article regarding alleged excessive claims to GEBE, MP Irion firmly maintains that the ruling does not change the fundamental facts and has announced that he will be appealing the decision.
The central issue remains unchanged: the process for nominating the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten was not conducted in accordance with the law. The Court did not dispute this fact, nor did it reject the broader concerns Irion raised regarding transparency, procedure, and accountability.
“I respect the judiciary and the rule of law,” Irion stated. “However, I will be appealing this decision because the limited ruling does not reflect the larger reality. My statements were based on legitimate parliamentary concerns and the people’s right to transparency. The process was not done lawfully, and I will continue to defend that truth.”
Irion emphasized that his remarks were never personal attacks but a reflection of his duty as a Member of Parliament to uphold integrity and the rule of law in public office.
“My responsibility is to the people of Sint Maarten,” he said. “When processes are mishandled or when transparency is ignored, I will speak up. It is my duty to ensure that our institutions operate lawfully and in the best interest of the country.”
According to eyewitnesses, there are alleged contradictions between Mr. Bloem’s statements and actions. Mr. Bloem himself publicly confirmed that he had approximately seven months to decide whether to accept the nomination. During that period, the Democratic Party's leadership allegedly encouraged him to go on the radio to defend his candidacy. Furthermore, reports indicate that Mr. Bloem may have been involved in reviewing or advising on elements of the same process connected to his own appointment, raising serious questions about impartiality and procedural fairness.
“This is not about silencing oversight,” Irion continued. “It is about ensuring that our people can trust that those in positions of power are appointed lawfully and transparently. The previous government handled this process correctly and in accordance with the law. What happened afterward is where the problems began.”
MP Irion reaffirmed his respect for the Court but stressed that truth, accountability, and transparency cannot be silenced by legal threats or intimidation.
