WILLEMSTAD – Opposition party MAN-PIN has accused the Speaker of the Curaçao Parliament of attempting to influence a potential investigation by the Algemene Rekenkamer Curaçao into government organization SOAB.
In a letter addressed to the Audit Chamber, the MAN-PIN parliamentary group states that a recent letter sent by the Speaker of the Curaçao Parliament could steer the decision on whether to open an investigation “in an inappropriate and negative manner.”
The dispute centers on a request by MAN-PIN for the Audit Chamber to investigate the financial relationship between the government and SOAB. The opposition party is seeking clarity on the nature and scope of services provided by SOAB to the government, the amount of public funds involved, and how those funds are being spent.
According to MAN-PIN, the situation arose after a motion in Parliament calling for such an investigation failed to gain a majority. Following that outcome, the party decided to approach the Audit Chamber directly. Shortly thereafter, the Speaker of Parliament sent a separate letter to the Audit Chamber regarding the same issue.
MAN-PIN argues that this intervention was unnecessary and can be interpreted as an attempt to influence the process. In its letter, the party states that the Speaker’s communication creates the impression that efforts are being made to prevent a thorough investigation into the spending of public funds through SOAB.
The opposition faction stresses that transparency and accountability require the Audit Chamber to independently assess whether an investigation is warranted. MAN-PIN is therefore urging the Audit Chamber to evaluate its request without external influence and to consider launching a full investigation into the legality and efficiency of public expenditure involving SOAB.
No response from the Speaker of Parliament or the government had been made public at the time of publication.