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In a dramatic turn of events during the marathon budget debate in the House of Representatives, Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo declared that the People’s National Movement (PNM) had ‘fallen’ after no opposition MP rose to respond to a government speaker. The debate, which began at 10 am on October 17 and concluded at 2:22 am on October 18, is set to resume on October 21 with a detailed examination of revenue and expenditure by the Standing Finance Committee. The session featured 14 speakers, alternating between opposition and government MPs, until it reached Claxton Bay MP Hansen Narinesingh, who delivered his maiden speech. Speaker Jagdeo Singh congratulated Narinesingh and then turned to the opposition benches, only to find no one willing to speak. Tancoo seized the moment, criticizing the PNM for abdicating its responsibility, particularly noting the absence of opposition leader Pennelope Beckles. He accused the opposition of having ‘nothing to say’ and praised the budget as ‘excellent.’ House Leader Barry Padarath later issued a statement titled ‘PNM Collapses in 2026 Budget Debate,’ highlighting the opposition’s failure to continue the debate despite having five members yet to speak. Padarath described the PNM’s inaction as a clear sign of their inability to analyze and respond to the national budget, suggesting that the party had ‘collapsed’ under the pressure.

In a rare moment of unity, Trinidad and Tobago’s political leaders paused their 2026 budget debate to celebrate Divali, the Hindu festival of lights, in the Rotunda of the Red House in Port of Spain on October 17. The event, marked by the lighting of deyas (oil lamps), saw participation from House Speaker Jagdeo Singh, Leader of Government Business Barry Padarath, and Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles. The celebration was a symbolic gesture of cultural harmony in the multicultural nation. Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath, in his Divali address on October 18, drew parallels between the festival’s themes of light overcoming darkness and the return of Kamla Persad-Bissessar SC as Prime Minister in the April 28 general election. Padarath likened Persad-Bissessar to the Hindu Goddess Lakshmi, the embodiment of prosperity and righteousness, and emphasized the importance of respecting women in society. He also critiqued the previous administration, stating that the current government has restored good governance after a decade of ‘darkness.’ Opposition MP Hans Des Vignes echoed the sentiment, extending warm Divali greetings to the Hindu community and highlighting the festival’s universal message of unity, compassion, and spiritual enlightenment. Des Vignes urged citizens to draw inspiration from Divali to address the nation’s social and economic challenges, reaffirming commitments to justice, equality, and cultural heritage. Both leaders called for the preservation of Trinidad and Tobago’s rich multicultural identity, emphasizing the festival’s themes of peace, love, and respect.

The Opposition has accused the government of failing to fulfill its duty during the 2025/2026 budget debate, citing a lack of preparedness among ministers to present their plans and policies. The critique was voiced by PNM MPs Marvin Gonzales, Colm Imbert, and Symon de Nobriga during a press conference at Balisier House in Port of Spain on October 18. They expressed surprise at the government’s decision to prematurely conclude the debate, which they described as an evasion of accountability. Gonzales highlighted that only two senior ministers participated in the debate, while seven PNM MPs responded, leaving key portfolios such as Homeland Security, Education, and Energy unaddressed. The Opposition’s strategy was to reserve their speakers for responding to senior ministers rather than UNC backbenchers. However, the government’s refusal to engage further forced the Finance Minister to hastily wind up the session without addressing critical points raised by the Opposition. Imbert emphasized that the government’s failure to clarify budget measures and respond to discrepancies in tax impacts was a disservice to the public. Gonzales also criticized the Prime Minister’s absence, particularly given the need to address the retrenchment of thousands of workers. Additionally, he condemned the referral of Opposition Leader Beckles to the Privileges Committee as a procedural breach and an attack on democratic processes, vowing that the PNM would address this issue.

In a significant move to bolster national security, the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force (TTDF) has witnessed a series of high-level leadership appointments. The Office of the Attorney General confirmed that the instruments of appointment were formally presented to senior officers earlier this week, underscoring the government’s commitment to enhancing the nation’s defence capabilities.