分类： politics

San Fernando East MP Brian Manning has voiced strong opposition to the new taxes and tax increases proposed in the recent budget, arguing that they will negatively impact businesses and ultimately burden ordinary consumers. Speaking in the House of Representatives on October 17, Manning highlighted several measures, including the bank/insurance levy, container-processing fee increase, landlord surcharge, LPG price hike, and single-use plastic tax, as particularly harmful. He criticized Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo, whom he mockingly referred to as ‘Taxcoo,’ and labeled the budget as ‘fake and fraudulent.’ Manning also accused trade union leaders of prioritizing their own interests over their members’ welfare, aligning with the UNC in what he termed a ‘coalition of chaos and confusion.’ Manning further criticized the 0.25% levy on banks and insurance companies, which aims to raise $575 million annually, arguing that it would increase banking fees and overall costs for the public. He also condemned the landlord surcharge, equating it to a property tax, and questioned the $2,500 registration fee. Additionally, Manning criticized the electricity surcharge for commercial and industrial clients, the 100% hike in container processing fees, and the rise in excise duties on alcoholic drinks, which he said would drive up consumer prices. He also slammed the proposed $15,000 penalty for dangerous driving, calling it ‘blood money,’ and criticized the taxes on single-use plastics and electric vehicles. Manning concluded by questioning the government’s commitment to the Pointe-a-Pierre refinery and sarcastically endorsing the proposed Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT).

In a significant political development, Senate President Wade Mark has been appointed as the acting head of State for the Republic, stepping in for President Christine Kangaloo during her absence abroad. The confirmation of this appointment was officially communicated via a text message from President’s House on October 18. The message stated, ‘Yes. He was sworn in and will serve as acting President while Her Excellency is out of the country.’ However, the duration of his acting presidency remains unspecified. Mark, who was previously sworn in as Senate President on May 23, now takes on this crucial interim role, ensuring the continuity of governance in the absence of the President.

Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles has criticized the United National Congress (UNC) for its silence on its campaign pledge to restart the former Petrotrin refinery in Pointe-a-Pierre, suggesting the party has realized it cannot deliver on this promise. Beckles made these remarks during her contribution to the 2025/2026 budget debate in the House of Representatives on October 17. She highlighted the absence of any mention of the refinery in Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo’s budget presentation on October 13, contrasting it with the firm agreement in place when the People’s National Movement (PNM) left office after the April 28 general election. Beckles accused the UNC of misleading voters during the election by promoting false hopes of new jobs and foreign exchange revenues from the refinery’s revival. She emphasized that the PNM had made significant progress in restarting the refinery through a competitive evaluation process, which led to the selection of Nigerian company Oando Trading DMCC to lease and operate the facility. Beckles noted that this approach ensured no taxpayer burden and provided a structured path forward. However, she claimed the UNC scrapped this process without building on the PNM’s groundwork. Beckles also referenced a committee formed to explore the refinery’s feasibility, which reportedly admitted to minimal progress due to high capital costs and financial uncertainties. She criticized Minister Ernesto Kesar for prematurely claiming the refinery was ready to restart, warning the government against bypassing procurement laws. Beckles vowed to monitor the situation closely, emphasizing the legal consequences of breaching the Procurement and Disposal of Public Property Act. The refinery’s potential restart has been a contentious issue since the PNM’s 2024/2025 budget statement, which shortlisted three companies, including Oando, for the lease.

The recent budget debate in Trinidad and Tobago’s Parliament has thrust Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles into the spotlight, but not entirely for the reasons she might have hoped. On October 17, Beckles delivered her response to Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo’s budget presentation at the Red House in Port of Spain. This moment, intended to solidify her position as the PNM’s first female opposition leader, was overshadowed by a contentious ruling from Deputy Speaker Dr. Aiyna Ali. Dr. Ali referred Beckles to the privileges committee over a complaint of contempt, a move that has sparked significant debate.

Beckles, dressed in military black and gold, adopted a subdued yet critical tone during her three-hour speech. She labeled the budget as a “con-job,” analyzed fiscal figures, and warned of an impending economic crisis unlike any seen in the past four decades. However, her efforts were largely eclipsed by the drama surrounding Dr. Ali’s decision, which stemmed from a complaint filed by government whip Barry Padarath. The complaint was related to a statement issued by Beckles’ party earlier this month, accusing Speaker Jagdeo Singh of “biased and prejudicial” behavior.

This incident highlights the turbulent start to the 13th Republican Parliament’s budget debate. With many new faces in the House, including MPs and presiding officers, the political landscape remains unpredictable. The use of the privileges committee, a rare and serious parliamentary tool, adds to the tension. Beckles’ response also opened new lines of attack, particularly regarding her claims about the government’s economic management. She argued that the current administration had undone in five months what the PNM achieved in ten years, a statement met with skepticism. Additionally, her critique of the Tobago allocation figures was fact-checked and found to be inaccurate.

As the debate continues, Beckles faces the challenge of distinguishing her leadership style from both former Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar and current Prime Minister Keith Rowley. Her performance in the coming weeks will be crucial in determining her effectiveness as opposition leader and her party’s prospects in future elections.

The recent walkout by the People’s National Movement (PNM) from Parliament on October 10 has sparked intense debate, with critics labeling it as a calculated act of political theater rather than a genuine protest. The move, described as a ‘disgraceful retreat,’ is seen as an attempt to divert public attention from the party’s internal failures and lack of unity. Speaker Jagdeo Singh, who has been praised for his impartiality and adherence to parliamentary procedures, has become a focal point in this controversy. The PNM’s accusations of bias against Singh are dismissed as baseless, with critics arguing that the party’s real issue lies in its inability to handle scrutiny and accountability. The walkout, far from being a legitimate protest, is viewed as a desperate act of political posturing, aimed at masking the party’s leadership vacuum. The opposition’s behavior has been condemned as childish and detrimental to the democratic process, with calls for a return to constructive debate and respect for parliamentary institutions. The incident underscores the need for political maturity and a commitment to the principles of democracy, rather than resorting to theatrics and disruption.

Tobago West MP Joel Sampson has confirmed that the Community-Based Environmental Protection and Enhancement Programme (Cepep) and the Unemployment Relief Programme (URP) will persist in Tobago, despite plans to phase them out in Trinidad. Speaking during the budget debate in Parliament on October 17, Sampson emphasized that these initiatives remain under the jurisdiction of the Tobago House of Assembly (THA), which has no intention of discontinuing them. He highlighted that URP is managed by the Division of Infrastructure, Quarries and Urban Development, while Cepep falls under the Division of Community Development, Youth Development and Sport. Sampson noted that since the THA took office in 2021, the programmes have been restructured to produce meaningful outcomes, including revenue-generating workshops and agricultural units. He acknowledged that central government funding has been insufficient, but the THA has creatively addressed the shortfall using unspent balances. Sampson reassured Tobagonians employed in these programmes that their jobs are secure, emphasizing that they operate under a proper structure rather than a political contract. This announcement comes after Finance Minister Devendranath Tancoo revealed plans to eliminate Cepep and URP in Trinidad to curb state funding of criminal gangs, promising better-paid, full-time jobs for affected workers. Sampson also praised the government’s budget, calling it one of the most comprehensive in THA history, with Tobago receiving $3.724 billion, or 6.3% of the national budget.