PHILIPSBURG:---  Questions are being raised about Parliament's overall productivity, as numerous committee and central committee meetings remain uncalled by the Presidium and the Chairperson of Parliament, despite being formally requested by Members of Parliament and government ministries for months — and in some cases, more than a year.

Several essential discussions that directly impact national policy and the lives of citizens are still pending, leaving many to question whether Parliament is functioning effectively or allowing key matters to remain stalled.

Finance and VROMI Have the Most Outstanding Meetings

A review of the pending agenda shows that the Minister of Finance and the Minister of VROMI have the most outstanding appearances before Parliament. These include several critical subjects such as:

The national tax reform process and the operational state of the Tax Office;

Revenue-generation and collection measures;

The financial situation and performance of TelEm.

The Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten (CBCS) discussions;

The Strategic Plan of the Kadaster;

The Social Housing Project; and

Broader discussions on national housing policy, land use, and the Nature Policy Plan 2021–2025.

These pending matters do not include the upcoming deliberations on the 2025 Budget Amendment and the 2026 Budget, both of which are expected to require multiple sessions before year’s end.

Delays and Inaction Undermining Oversight

Many of these meetings were officially requested by sitting Members of Parliament, yet have not been placed on the agenda. In some cases, the relevant ministries have already confirmed their willingness to appear, but the Presidium has failed to schedule the sessions on time.

This continued inaction raises concerns about how Parliament’s agenda is managed and whether the Presidium is effectively fulfilling its responsibility to ensure proper parliamentary oversight.

Oversight and Accountability at Risk

Parliament’s constitutional mandate is clear: it must hold government accountable. When meetings on issues such as taxation, public finances, housing, and infrastructure are repeatedly delayed, that oversight function is weakened.

The backlog also includes statutory obligations, such as presentations by the High Councils of State — including the Audit Chamber, Ombudsman, Integrity Chamber, and Council of Advice — which traditionally take place in October but remain unaddressed.

Parliament Must Lead by Example

While ministers are often criticized for delays and lack of execution, Parliament itself is now showing signs of inefficiency, with critical meetings piling up and little progress in sight.

With two major budget processes still to be debated before year’s end, the question stands:
Will the Presidium and Chair of Parliament take the necessary steps to restore order and accountability, or will Parliament continue to fall behind on its own responsibilities?

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ministry of Public Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment and Infrastructure (VROMI), Department of New Works, would like to inform the public, particularly the residents of St. James Road, Middle Region, that road works will commence as part of the ongoing Concrete Hard Resurfacing Project.

Works are scheduled to begin on Monday, October 27th, 2025, and are expected to continue for approximately three (3) weeks, pending weather conditions and unforeseen circumstances. These works are part of the Ministry’s continued efforts to improve road infrastructure, enhance drainage, and provide safer, more durable roadways for all motorists and pedestrians.

To facilitate the smooth execution of this project, St. James Road will be closed daily from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. during the construction period. Residents and motorists are advised to make the necessary arrangements to avoid delays and to follow the traffic control signs and directions provided by on-site personnel.

A temporary bypass will be created at the beginning of Mount Repose Drive, allowing access and continuation onto the main road, Middle Region Road. This bypass is designed to ensure residents and emergency vehicles can still enter and exit the area safely while works are underway.

As part of the construction timeline, concrete pouring will be executed in sections. This method ensures that each section is properly cured and completed before moving on to the next, maintaining the quality and longevity of the road surface.

The Ministry of VROMI appreciates the patience and cooperation of all residents and motorists during this period. Your understanding is vital as we continue to upgrade and strengthen the island’s road network for the benefit of the community.

Key Information Recap:

• Project: Concrete Hard Surfacing Project, St. James Road, Middle Region
• Start Date: Monday, October 27th, 2025
• Duration: Approximately 3 weeks
• Road Closure: 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. daily
• Bypass: Accessible via Mount Repose Drive, connecting to the main road
• Advisory: Expect traffic delays; obey signage and on-site personnel

PHILIPSBURG:---  The legal community in Sint Maarten is shaken by a disciplinary complaint filed against a Senior Attorney who verbally assaulted a client on the steps of the Joint Court of Justice.

The complaint, filed by Mr. Terence Jandroep (the Claimant and Covid Survivor), is of unprecedented severity because a Court Registrar Staff Member irrefutably witnessed the attorney's unprofessional conduct.

IRREFUTABLE PROOF: OBLIVIOUS TO THE LAW

The core of the complaint states that the attorney, during a confrontation on Wednesday, completely abandoned professional decorum and aggressively accosted the Claimant.

• No Prior Contact: It is critical to note that the Claimant and the Attorney had no prior relationship and had never met before this sudden incident, underscoring the Attorney's immediate, unprovoked professional contempt.
• The Unseen Official: The moment of misconduct was witnessed by a Court Registrar Staff Member who was opening the Court's glass door right next to the attorney. The Attorney was so consumed by his anger that he overlooked the Judicial Official. This occurred on Wednesday, the 22nd of October at approximately 13.25.
• The Quote: The attorney allegedly uttered the final, contemptuous words: “I have nothing to discuss with you. I don't like you,” in a fit of rage.

This level of professional blindness and loss of control transforms the disciplinary complaint from an allegation into an established fact of contempt for the institutional setting.

The attorney’s firm was hired by St. Maarten Medical Center (SMMC) to represent the organization in a long-standing liability case as the “second” legal counsel.

THIRD COMPLAINT AND THE CULTURE OF EXCLUSION

The complaint gains a compounding and systemic nature due to two highly damaging elements:

1. Disciplinary Pattern: The attorney is the third legal professional from the same prominent European Dutch law firm established in Sint Maarten to face disciplinary action in a short period. This suggests a severe failure of internal oversight and of the firm's ethical culture.
2. Cultural Claim: The Claimant asserts that the attorney’s behavior stemmed from a ‘Discomfort’ with his Afro-Caribbean ethnicity. This is underscored by the fact that the mentioned law firm structurally lacks minority Partners in Curaçao and Sint Maarten, raising the suggestion that the SMMC’s legal representation originates from a homogeneous, elite circle (also known as the OLD BOYS Club) that fails to show respect for the island’s diverse population.

EXPLOSIVE CONFLICT OF INTEREST REVEALED: SMMC COMPLICITY
Adding a critical layer of institutional corruption, it has been revealed that a Partner in the attorney's law firm (First Counsel in the case from Curacao) also serves as the Dean of the Bar Association in Curaçao.

This structural arrangement creates a profound conflict of interest and suggests a potential strategy to prevent or neutralize disciplinary prosecution. Worse, SMMC was fully aware of this conflict-of-interest evidence and knowingly fueled this corrupt setup by retaining the firm to safeguard its “Protective Custody” Status.

This turns the matter from simple misconduct into institutional complicity in attempting to bypass the legal oversight process. The immediate intervention of the Minister of VSA (the political body overseeing SMMC) is now crucial to neutralize this deeply rooted corrupt arrangement and protect the integrity of the government.

The Claimant has issued an ultimatum to the SMMC and the law firms: suspend the attorney immediately, or face further institutional action.

CALL FOR IMMEDIATE ACTION

This scandal places enormous pressure on the integrity of the legal profession and the accountability of public institutions. We demand immediate action:

1. Ministerial Intervention: The Minister of VSA must immediately intervene to order the SMMC to terminate both firms' mandates and accept the settlement to mitigate the political fallout from this confirmed corrupt setup.
2. SXM  Dean of the Bar (Deken): Dean Barry must act swiftly and decisively. Given the irrefutable witness, the pattern of disciplinary failure, and the structural corruption, a Suspension for the attorney is considered the only proportionate punishment necessary to safeguard the integrity of the Bar Association.
3. SMMC Board: The SMMC must immediately distance itself from these law firms. Retaining legal counsel associated with institutional arrogance and proven misconduct is politically untenable and damages public confidence in healthcare.
4. The Court of Justice: The Court has already taken appropriate action by placing the Claimant’s case on the roll for a Hearing with unprecedented speed. This demonstrates that the Court acknowledges the gravity of the situation and seeks to resolve the chaos.
5.   Independent Public Inquiry and Claimant Protection: An independent inquiry led by external investigators must review the Bar Association’s handling of complaints in Curacao, the SMMC’s conflict-of-interest arrangements, and the wider culture of exclusion within the legal sector. Immediate protection must be granted to the Claimant and all witnesses, preventing intimidation, retaliation, or procedural manipulation during the investigation.

The Colombian-educated Risk Analyst has exposed the corruption of the elite. It is now up to the responsible authorities to prove that the Rule of Law applies to everyone in Sint Maarten.

PHILIPSBURG:---Two suspects have been arrested in connection with an armed robbery that took place earlier this week in front of Horizon View Hotel, authorities confirmed on Friday.

According to the Police Force of Sint Maarten (KPSM), detectives spotted a vehicle matching the description of the getaway car used in the October 22 robbery while patrolling the Middle Region area. When officers attempted to stop the vehicle, the occupants reportedly tried to flee, leading to a brief pursuit.

The chase ended near Saint Barts Drive, where officers successfully intercepted the vehicle. Two men were taken into custody, and a firearm believed to have been used in the robbery was confiscated.

The original incident occurred around 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, when a suspect exited a gray vehicle, brandished a gun, and forcibly removed a gold chain from a tourist waiting in front of the hotel. The assailant then fled the scene in the same vehicle.

Detectives continue to investigate the case to determine whether additional suspects were involved.

“Those who commit crimes will face consequences,” KPSM said in a statement, emphasizing that “no one is above the law.”

Police are urging residents and businesses to remain alert and to report any suspicious activity.

“Community cooperation is key,” the statement continued. “If you see something, say something.”

The robbery — one of several reported incidents downtown this month — has sparked frustration among business owners and shoppers, who say they are increasingly concerned about safety in Philipsburg’s commercial district.

“It’s upsetting that this is happening right in front of hotels and shops,” said one store owner on Front Street. “We rely on tourism, and this kind of thing scares people away.”

Anyone with additional information is urged to contact the Police Force of Sint Maarten at +1 (721) 542-2222 (extensions 204 or 205) or submit anonymous tips via the KPSM Tip Line 9300. For emergencies, call 911.