As Audit Deepens, PM Insists Government Has Nothing to Hide

With two cabinet ministers now on leave and the “Mira Millions” investigation drawing public attention, Prime Minister John Briceño is pushing back against concerns about corruption inside his administration. Speaking at the PUP’s National Party Council meeting in Dangriga, Briceño defended his government’s handling of the matter, saying the decision to have Defense Minister Florencio Marin Jr. step aside for ninety days will allow the Auditor General to investigate the Ministry of Defense without interference. Former Home Affairs Minister Oscar Mira also remains on leave while that audit continues. The Prime Minister insisted that his administration remains committed to zero tolerance for corruption.

 

Prime Minister John Briceño 

“For the past few weeks we have seen and heard many things that seem contrary to our values and so far the problems at the BDF concerning the procurement of goods are not in line with the commitment to good governance. But because we remain committed to zero tolerance on corruption, we have acted. I have got some news for John Saldivar, because he was the one that was being so pious. The auditor general is also going to be auditing to 2015. So we’re going to find what John Saldivar was doing then. I will be the first to admit that we’re not perfect, we make mistakes. And that’s natural, that’s human nature. But it does not mean that we are going continue to allow for these mistakes. When we see these mistakes, We don’t hide it. We don’t put it under the rug. We fix it. Because you put us to work for you. You are our bosses.”

 

Both Mira and Marin have denied participating in any illegal actives as it relates to the investigation.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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