Philipsburg:--- Members of the United People's Party, Democratic Party, and Independent Member of Parliament Romaine Laville created an uproar in the House of Parliament on Monday when the President of Parliament Rodolphe Samuel convened the meeting and was making his address to the Members of Parliament and the general public. Also present at that meeting was the Deputy Prime Minister and Leader of the National Alliance William Marlin.
On several occasions the Members of Parliament who form the new majority chose to call for a point of order and each time the President of Parliament Rodolphe Samuel kept on telling them "you do not have the word." While the commotion was taking place, the House of Parliament was filled to its capacity with citizens from the community. There were several detectives sitting inside the chambers where the meeting was taking place keeping a close eye on the proceedings.
MP Jules James told Deputy Prime Minister William Marlin on several occasions that he is the one responsible for how the Chairman of Parliament is handling the meeting because Marlin in his first press conference said that St. Maarten will be having a "Mexican standoff" because the Prime Minister Sarah Wescot Williams chose not on to deal with their request to discuss the political situation and dissolve the Parliament of St. Maarten.
Samuel told the people of St. Maarten on Sunday on the Lloyd Richardson Show that he would have tendered his resignation on Monday, but while addressing Parliament he said when he took his oath of office he swore to uphold the constitution and if he resigns from his position now then he would not be carrying out the duties which he swore to do. "I know today is a special day in country St. Maarten. On Friday, I adjourned the meeting because I wanted to seek legal advice on the gathering that took place in the House of Parliament on May 13th, 2013 when eight Members of Parliament passed a motion to dismiss four ministers. Today, I got the advice and that meeting of May 13th, 2013 was not a meeting of Parliament and the motion that was passed by the eight members and sent to the Governor and Prime Minister has no legal basis." Just after making that statement MP Roy Marlin called for a point of order and he was told he does not have the word. The Chairman of Parliament continued with his statements by stating that St. Maarten has a constitution which is the Bible of St. Maarten and it must be respected.
Samuel further stated that right now there is a controversy regarding articles 33 and 59, the President of Parliament was then disturbed by MP Jules James who asked for a point of order and he too was told that he did not have the word. MP James tried to continue speaking but the Chairman maintained his instructions to the MP by telling him he did not have the word. MP James proceeded and stated that the Chairman of Parliament was not following the rules of order. Samuel then proceeded to explain that the Prime Minister and other Ministers are appointed by national ordinance. "If a Minister no longer enjoys the confidence of Parliament he or she shall surrender his office based on article 33 sub one and sub two." At that point, MP Johan Janchi Leonard then asked for a point of order and he too was told he did not have the word. MP Gracita Arrindell who was the former Chairman of Parliament also interupted Samuel calling for a point of order, then MP Ruth Douglass.
At one point, MP Petrus Leroy De Weever slammed his fists on his desk and stated that they needed to stop the nonsense. MP Jules James told the chairman that the rules of order state that they can interrupt a speaker but Samuel quickly told him that the rules of order also states that an MP could only speak when he is given the word and up to that point none of them had the word except the chair. MP Roy Marlin then stood up and began to speak with several other MPs who form the majority trying to impose on the authority of the chair when they each called for a point of order.
Samuel then proceeded to explain what article 59 of the country's constitution states and he said thus far the Prime Minister has refused to sign the decree to dissolve the Parliament of St. Maarten and call for new elections.
MP Roy Marlin then insisted to speak even though he was told on several occasions that he did not have the word, Marlin asked the chairman if he was going to share copies of the advice he received on the meeting of May 13th and he also told Samuel that he should not lie on the Prime Minister when he stated publicly that she refused to sign the decree to dissolve Parliament. Samuel told MP Marlin on numerous occasions that he did not have the word but he refused to take his seat or stop speaking. At some point, MP Johan Janchi Leonard was seen telling his colleagues that they were creating confusion and commotion and they should stop speaking and take their seats because there were police officers in the House of Parliament.
Samuel said that he has to find a solution to the political crisis currently taking place and he is busy searching for answers and solutions, therefore he adjourns the meeting to Friday.
When Samuel made the announcement, the MPs from the UP and DP factions began shouting in the House of Parliament claiming that the Chairman of Parliament is muzzling Parliament. The MPs also shouted that there is dictatorship in the House of Parliament while MP Jules James shouted out that William Marlin is getting the "Mexican standoff" he spoke about.
Son of Prime Minister went After MP Richardson.
As the MPs shouted and expressed their dissatisfaction as they left the Chamber of Parliament, the son of the Prime Minister Andy Wescot who was also in the chamber went after Member of Parliament Frans Richardson accusing him of stealing from the Harbour Group of Companies. "Its going to come out, it will be made public" were the words of Andy Wescot as he approached MP Richardson who was standing in the corridor of Parliament House speaking with his friends. Christopher Emmanuel and the President of the Democratic Party Michael Ferrier had to restrain Wescot because he was about to throw punches at MP Richardson.
Wescot was taken to the press room and then outside of Parliament to cool off. SMN News learnt that Andy Wescot then rushed over to the Government Administration Building and informed his mother of his behavior. A source from the Prime Minister's cabinet said the Prime Minister was in a state of shock when her son told her that he lost it and reacted the way he did.
Another concern for persons attending the Parliamentary meetings including police officers is the presence of a convicted ex police officer who was hired by MP Romaine Laville. Several persons told SMN News that they are very concerned for their safety because the former convicted police officer was involved in some gruesome crimes in Curacao, St. Maarten, and Aruba and it is despicable for a Member of Parliament to hire such a person as their bodyguard and take him in the House of Parliament when there are public meetings. SMN News further learnt that this matter was raised inside the Government Administration Building and security at the Government Administration Building took the necessary measures by preventing the bodyguard of the MP from entering the Government Administration Building but that is yet to take place at the House of Parliament.
Click here to view more photos of Monday's Parliamentary meeting.