Chairlady of Parliament Accused of Abuse of Power --- Actions were deliberate --- Marlin.

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Philipsburg:--- The leader of the National Alliance and Member of Parliament William Marlin said that the Chairlady of Parliament was abusing her power and playing political games when she set the agenda for Thursday's meeting of Parliament. Marlin said he did not make any mistake when he submitted his request for the meeting which was to have the Minister of Finance explain to Parliament the process, policies, and rules utilized for the drafting of the 2012 budget. Marlin said he submitted his request on March 7, 2012 and on March 8th he dispatched another request to the chairlady requesting that she add another agenda point to the agenda which would allow the Council of Ministers to make thier presentations depicting their involvement and compliance with the process.
Marlin said the chairlady is abusing her power and authority and there are others supporting her wrong doing. Marlin said the chairlady deliberately placed the first agenda point by scheduling the Minister of Justice first and the Minister of Finance after. He said the actions of the Chairlady are wrong and being done for political manipulation. Marlin said he discussed the matter with the General Secretary and the General Secretary shared his views on the issue which allowed him to come to the conclusions that the chairlady is abusing her power for political reasons. It should be noted that the National Alliance requested their meeting in such a way to have the Minister of Finance make his outline prior to the budget debate which is scheduled for Monday.
The Chairman of Thursday's meeting Petrus Leroy De Weever said that he wanted to be fair and when convocations are sent out he is not allowed to make changes to the agenda points single handedly. De Weever said he was willing to make the necessary changes by making agenda point one to two and point two to one. De Weever asked the Members of Parliament to second the motion he presented on the floor which was eventually done by Member of Parliament Dr. Lloyd Richardson. The meeting called by the National Alliance has been adjourned to a later date.
The suggestion of the Chairman of Parliament Leroy De Weever caused an outburst by several Members of Parliament from the National Alliance faction. Also commenting on the issue were Members of Parliament Louis Laviest and Dr. Lloyd Richardson. De Weever said he understood the frustrations of the Members of the National Alliance but he too was caught in a predicament.
While the arguments were taking place, Minister of Justice Roland Duncan sat in his seat waiting to see if the meeting would be convened and if he would be given the opportunity to defend his Ministry's budget. Minister Duncan told reporters that Parliament is wasting his time because he is paid to do a job for the people. Minister Duncan said he had a meeting scheduled prior to the one of Parliament which he canceled in order to be at Parliament's meeting and he is of the opinion that Parliament is wasting time and money.