PM Responds to Concerns Over Unequal Constituency Funds

When it comes to constituency development funds, not all areas receive the same amount, and that has raised questions about how those funds are allocated. Prime Minister John Briceño’s Orange Walk Central receives the largest monthly share, even though it isn’t one of the country’s biggest constituencies. That detail came into sharper focus after a freedom of information request submitted by social activist Jerry Enriquez, who was also seeking receipts for how the money was spent. Today, the Prime Minister explained why his constituency receives a larger allocation and why those receipts weren’t immediately handed over. Here’s how he responded to the concerns.

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“What has happened and we did not hide it, we said it in government that the constituencies, we put them in three different categories, depending on the number of voters you have. Then we cited the different ways you can spend this money. We were very strict that if you do not give your receipts and do not report how you spend that money then you do not get anymore money until that has happened. A number of area representatives were upset because we were not giving them their money and I have said it in Cabinet, in caucuses everybody, including myself, we have to report every dollar that we get to, first it was to Mrs. Garcia and now to the Cabinet Secretary. As to the receipts, we have to make sure the receipts are properly documented and I know some may say, well the prime minister is getting some extra money of late. I was getting some extra money simply because everybody in the country ask me for help, not only Orange Walk Central. And so I use that money to help people in Toledo, Belize City, all over, for sports, education, health, you name it and that is the only reason. But this is done by proportion on the amount of registered voters and even the opposition get that money. When we were in opposition we got zero, we got nothing from the government.”

 

Reporter

“So then why haven’t those receipts been provided to Enriquez who requested them?”

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“You know how much receipts we are talking. We are talking about tens of thousand for receipts and we are going to be spending all day providing receipts. I think what is important is to provide them with the monies being provided, once it is not detailed in the budget we gave by constituency how much they get.”

 

Reporter

“So invite him to look them over?”

 

Prime Minister John Briceño

“If he wants to come and look them over, he is happy to go through them. It is several cabinets he will have to look at. It is a lot.”

 

The Prime Minister says the higher allocation to Orange Walk Central isn’t about favoritism, but about voter numbers and broader demands on his office. He also defended the delay in releasing receipts, saying the volume is massive but insists the records are there and available for review. Still, the explanation is unlikely to quiet ongoing calls for more transparency in how constituency funds are distributed and spent.