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No Debt Restructuring

The new government has been sworn in. There is still a discussion ongoing as to the two other members Christoph Emanuel and Rayeon Peterson as to whether they will be sworn in as Ministers.The Parliament at present consists of 13 Members, hopefully sooner than later the other two seats will be filled by Richniel Brug and Viren Vinod Kotai whose credentials are to be approved. In his presentation the Prime Minister of St. Maarten Dr. Luc Mercelina raised the matter of the countrys debt burden and the importance of the Dispute Regulation, the latter being thrown back and forth for some 14 years now with no end in sight.

Although important, I am of the opinion that Debt cancellation has to be a priority Read more

Swept Under The Rug

I presented a motion in June of 2021 almost 3 years ago asking that the subject of debt cancellation for St. Maarten be discussed. I was moved to do so after discovering that St. Maarten was paying 12.7 million guilders annually on an almost 1 billion guilders debt. It is no secret that it would take some 100 years to pay it off, hence my motion which was unanimously supported.

The International Monetary Fund had also suggested that the Dutch government look at Debt cancellation, however what came afterwards due to the covid19 pandemic is additional loans of some 300 million guilders Read more

We Live In A World That Is Becoming More And More Anti-Social

The world we live in is becoming more and more Anti-Social as time passes and it will continue to increase. What is the cause of this you might ask and my simple answer is the fast advancement of technology.

I wish I knew about the presentation of Ms. Julia Davich (forgive me if the spelling is wrong) that she gave at the University of St. Maarten. I heard part of her presentation this week on the radio and I think one of the things she mentioned was the matter of paying online and what this does to the physical interaction of people with each other Read more

Pantophlet:And The Bullying Continues

The repayment of the loans acquired because of covid19 were due on October 10, 2023. If one was following statements I made in the past, I made it quite clear to the then Director of the Committee for Financial Supervision Mr. Gradus that doing so was impossible to which he agreed. I mentioned to him the issue of Debt Cancellation and his response was it is a political matter, to which I responded, It is not political, it is social.

What I can conclude however is that the bullying and blackmailing by the Dutch government being executed by State Secretary Alexander van Huffelen continues Read more

Reality And Justice

It was brought to my attention a couple of days ago that an article was published entitled Negative for the image of St. Maarten. The author being Mr. Robby Ferron. I believe he was commenting on article I wrote on debt cancellation. Had I seen it earlier I would have remarked sooner. Everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion and that is a given. I do maintain that the best thing for the Netherlands to do is to cancel the entire debt, not only that of the liquidity support but also prior loans Read more

Action Speaks Louder Than Words

On December 19, 2022 the Dutch government apologized for slavery or their part in the slave trade. This took place in Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, St. Eustatius, Saba St. Maarten, Suriname and the Netherlands. But what tangible actions have been taken so far? St. Maarten owes some 300 million guilders for liquidity support. This amount is to be paid in October of this year including the annual payment of 12.7 million owed from a prior debt of some 1.2 billion guilders. It has been concluded that St Read more

Tax Compliance Can Lead To Tax Write Off

This topic can be or is very controversial but it has to be addressed says Member of Parliament George Pantophlet. He believes that Tax compliance can lead to Tax write offs. This statement might sound like an oxymoron but the member says there is great possibility in this aspect. He also feels that the manner in which taxes are collected should be looked into Read more

Pfp Submits Draft Lb-Ham To Prime Minister

MP Peterson: Parliament changing Election Ordinance would be rats minding the cheese

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten Via a letter penned by Member of Parliament Melissa Gumbs, the Party for Progress faction in Parliament submitted a draft LB-HAM (national decree containing general measures) to Prime Minister Silveria Jacobs on Thursday, 23 February 2023, prior to leaving for the IPKO session Read more

Mp George Pantophlet: Irresponsible Behavior

There is no plausible argument for the irresponsible behavior displayed on Monday November 7, 2022 by the so called representatives of the people of St. Maarten who were present but did not sign in to allow the meeting to discuss the Unity Flag to be held. It is an insult to the persons who were present and more so an act of self above country when it comes to the people of St. Maarten both North and Southern side.

To add insult to injury, when it was decided to hold an informal meeting or gathering these perpetrators decided to attend and some even took pictures which is total hypocrisy Read more

Duncan Lauds Success Of Expert Panel Discussion; Submits Proposal On Action Points

Philipsburg, Sint Maarten — On Thursday 21st April 2022 Member of Parliament Ludmila Duncan submitted a proposal for action to Parliament two days after hosting the first ever expert panel discussion on the Charter of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. The MP has deemed the event a success.

As Chair of the Committee for Constitutional Affairs and Decolonization, Duncan initiated the idea of hosting a high-level roundtable in 2021. With multi-partisan approval, a subcommittee comprising of MP George Pantophlet, MP Raeyhon Peterson and suspended MP Claudius Buncamper proposed several themes and constitutional experts Read more

Pfp, Pantophlet & Wescot-Williams Request Urgent Cc On Cybersecurity

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Party for Progress (PFP) Members of Parliament (MPs) Melissa Gumbs and Raeyhon Peterson – along with MPs George Pantophlet of National Alliance (NA) and Sarah Wescot-Williams of United Democrats (UD) – have requested an urgent central committee meeting of Parliament, following last weeks cybersecurity attack at government-owned company N.V Read more

Pantophlet Lauds Van Huffelen ForHonouring Her Word, Giving Hope

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — National Alliance (NA) Member of Parliament (MP) George Pantophlet on Sunday lauded the new Dutch government and in particular State Secretary for Home Affairs and Digitization Alexandra van Huffelen for keeping her promise giving the people of St Read more

Was The Meeting Held To Debate The Budget Illegal?

Member of Parliament George Pantophlet is asking the question as to why it is being said that passing the Budget without the approval of the Kingdom Council of Ministers is illegal. Pantophlet is not negating the fact that every Member of Parliament has to vote his/her conscience. “We all took an oath to do so. The meeting in which the Budget was discussed happened in accordance with article 34.2 of the rules of order which states: “As soon as the attendance list is signed by at least half plus one, the President opens the meeting Read more

A Realistic Decision

Member of Parliament George Pantophlet

Member of Parliament George Pantophlet disagrees with MP Sarah Wescot-Williams’ remarks in her article Stop the cat and mouse game Read more

Debt Cancellation Part 2

Member of Parliament George Pantophlet continues to insist that the debt owed to the Dutch government by St. Maarten should be canceled. The first step should be immediate suspension and then definite cancellation. Discussions on this matter should commence forthwith. He believes that the Ang. 12.7 million has to be made next month. These funds go towards the Ang Read more

Debt Cancellation Is The Only Option.

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Member of Parliament George Pantophlet is insistent that debt cancellation is the only viable and reasonable option for St Maarten and the other islands in the Dutch Caribbean. The Central Bank of Curacao and St. Maarten in its article of Monday August 2, 2021 entitled Multi-annual plan deemed crucial for balanced Budget was clear when it stated in its CBSC 2020 Annual Report and he quotes that in both countries the current budget deficit widened significantly in 2020 compared to 2019, due to decline in government revenues combined with an increase in expenditures end of quote.

In the MPs opinion It does not take a rocket scientist to come to this conclusion Read more

Minister Of Justice Anna E. Richardson Pleased With The Results Of Justice Conference

Philipsburg On Monday, July 12, 2021 through Wednesday, July 14, 2021, the Honorable Minister Anna E. Richardson hosted a Conference commemorating Justice Week 2021 at the Simpson Bay Resort. The conference served as an opportunity for each department and external partners of the Ministry to discuss topics related to their operations which included their legal basis, year plans, the budget, challenges, plan of actions aimed at improving the functionality and effectiveness of same. Present at the conference was the Coast Guard, Court of Guardianship, the Police Force of Sint Maarten, National Detectives, Customs, the Admissions and Expulsions section of the Immigration Department, Financial Intelligence Unit Sint Maarten and the Foundation Judicial Institutes Sint Maarten (SJIB).

During the three-day conference, each department delivered presentations to a selected panel tasked with providing critical and structured feedback based on the agenda points Read more

Why Haiti Is Still Struggling

Member of Parliament George Pantophlet extends his deepest sympathy and condolences to the people of Haiti. The recent assassination of the President of Haiti Jovenel Moise is a stark reminder of the instability that has plagued the Caribbean island for decades or might he add for more than two centuries. Haiti while rich in mineral resources and said to be the poorest country in the hemisphere is rife with turmoil.

What is unfortunate is that too many persons look at the island’s present condition and neglect to consider the past Read more

Mp Pantophlet Tables Motion On Debt Cancellation During Budget Debate

PHILIPSBURG, Sint Maarten — Member of Parliament George Pantophlet has tabled a motion during the 2021 budget debate that aims at offering considerable relief for the Country of Sint Maarten in the form of debt cancellation. The Motion calls on the Government of Sint Maarten in their discussions with the Dutch Government to make it priority to request debt cancellation as this is the only recourse that will help Country Sint Maarten to get out of this debt and to execute its social and economic duties as it relates to the citizens of the country.

The factors on which the Motion was presented includes the fact that St Read more

Mp George Pantophlet: To Shut Down Or Not To Shut Down.

Recently, I have taken note of some developments on St. Maarten. The most recent one being the shortening of opening hours for nighttime entertainment clubs, bars, restaurants etc. This has brought some thoughts to mind and I will express them via this article. Please note that this is my personal opinion on the matter.

One thing I have learned is that some people will do whatever they want to do without looking at the consequences. What makes matters worse is that their actions can be extremely harmful and even cause death to others Read more

St. Maarten Did Not Break The Agreement

On December 22, 2020 The government of St. Maarten, duly represented by the Prime Minister of St. Maarten, Mrs. S.E. Jacobs hereinafter referred to as: St. Maarten and
The Government of the Netherlands, duly represented by the State Secretary for the interior Ministry and Relations, Mr. R.W. Knops, hereinafter referred to as: The Netherlands;
The aforementioned is the beginning statements of an agreement signed between the St Maarten and Dutch government.

The agreement entails the aim for both parties to establish in a Kingdom Act based on Article 38, second paragraph of the Charter for the Kingdom of the Netherlands a Caribbean body for reform and development (hereinafter: COHO), which in view of the wellbeing of the St Read more

Letter To The Editor: LetS Talk

No Coho like Coho. Let me explain what I mean. There is some kind of entity that might be established, but the Coho will not be that entity. The new entity will and must have the input of the countries Curacao, Aruba and St. Maarten (CAS) because the Coho does not. And it must not as it now does, infringe on National, Kingdom and International Laws.

The State Secretary should not have the final authority when it comes to the process or execution of the packages in other words he should not be placed as judge, jury and executioner Read more

Mp Pantophlet: What Are The Facts

December 17, 2020

What are the facts? Fact is that on September 6, 2017 St. Maarten was struck by a category 5 hurricane named Irma.

Fact is that the islands infrastructure suffered some 90% damage.
Fact is that prior to the passing of said hurricane, St. Maarten was on her way to 3 consecutive Budgets. Fact is that the Dutch did give some support. Fact is that thanks to the insurance pay outs and the savings from individuals and businesses we were well on our way to pre-Irma condition.

Fact is that the Dutch government offered a grant of 550 Euros Read more

The Decolonization Noise.

Endorsing the comments and observations by Sarah Wescot Williams and Melissa Gumbs regarding all the noise about De-Colonization, I ask Grisha Heyliger, Rolando Brison, George Pantophlet and all other noisemakers: What, according to your coalition, are Governments immediate plans to:

1 Read more