Remy

Originally Posted by Remy

Well! Well! The more things change the more they remain the same. Does the recent pronouncement by our AG suggest that this is the end of the line as far as having evidence goes, and, the beginning of a witch hunt for evidence on the issue of corruption?

This current government is on record as saying there was massive corruption to the tune of millions of dollars prior to the election. Base on these outpourings the population formed the reasonable expectation that they must have some sort of evidence, and, that at least Mr. Hart will be charged and imprisoned should the PP come into office. Now in office, and pressured to deliver these naive incumbents are realizing that there exist a clear dichotomy between allegation and evidence. And that due process while unpopular on the campaign trail cannot be ignored when in Government.

Based on what was said before and after the elections, I suspect that there is sufficient evidence to charge Mr. Hart with at lease contempt of court right now. But, this is obviously not satisfactory to this AG and/or this government. I suspect they are going in for the kill. Quite frankly I have no problem with that. If there is evidence of wrong doing let the culprits pay. My concern however is that in pursuit of hard evidence the temptation to manufacture evidence ,and, or the need to satisfy a gullible population might lead to a situation where the rights of the accused might be infringed and at the end of the day result in mistrial at the courts or the matters being deemed an abuse of process and thrown out.

I suspect that after all their ranting and ravings of massive corruption on the campaign trail, to now have to charge Mr. Hart with only contempt of court represents a let down to the expectations of this government and its supporters. Hence, the delay to charge.

The AG is also on record as saying that there might very well be two former PM on charges before the court. We all know of Mr. Payday’s situation. The charges he has to answer represents personal matters and while they occur while he was PM they do not reflect decisions on the level of the government. Rather, they reflect the personal choice of Mr. Panday.

If the AG is to be believed the charges which might be laid against Mr. Manning are in connection with the alleged refusal by the PNM government to grant the MahaSaba a permit to operate a radio station. I suspect that the AG at this time is not in possession of any evidence which can support any of the other accusations of corruption leveled against the PNM and/or Mr. Manning. And, he has now resorted to what might very well be considered to be secondary line of attack.

Let’s face it, the PP while in opposition succeed in maligning Mr. Manning to the point he Manning came to represent all that was bad in and for T&T. For the population to now hear that he will be before the court for the MahaSaba issue alone is also a let down particularly in light of the hype made over corruption prior to the general election.

Now in Government and with all the recourses of Government at its disposal the PP is in danger of failing to meet the expectations of the population with respect to the issue of corruption they highlighted so extensively and vigoursly on the campaign trail. Then again I like most of the population might be guilty of being impatient. Only time will tell.