‘A Fish Rotting From the Head’ or Theft?

Prime Minister John Briceño has weighed in on reports of misappropriated funds within the Immigration Department, where investigations are ongoing into the alleged disappearance of around $160,000.

Speaking to reporters, the prime minister said the matter, which was recently discussed in the cabinet, is being treated as a case of theft rather than broader corruption.

He added that preliminary information suggests an employee may have exploited the system by issuing and later cancelling official receipts while pocketing the money.

Briceño stressed that the case is still under investigation and declined to go into further detail.

Opposition leader Tracy Panton has been less measured in her response, suggesting the problem runs deeper than one rogue employee, with the pointed claim that the “fish is rotting from the head.”

Briceño chose not to engage with that charge directly. “I’m going to be kind to the opposition. I’m not going to respond to that,” he said.