WILLEMSTAD - Member of Parliament Rennox Calmes has filed complaints with the Public Prosecutor’s Office (OM) against four of his parliamentary colleagues: Charetti America-Francisca (Parliament Chair), Zita Jesus-Leito, Gwendell Mercelina, and Fergino Brownbill. He has also directed his complaints at the entire Parliament of Curaçao.
Calmes claims that the four MPs, all members of the Domestic Committee, shared confidential information from a complaint procedure against him with a radio commentator. He views this as a breach of confidentiality.
Furthermore, Calmes accuses Zita Jesus-Leito of misconduct during her tenure as Minister of Traffic, Transport, and Spatial Planning. He alleges that she deliberately violated integrity and good governance laws when selling land on Gorsiraweg to the U.S. Consulate. He also points to three ministerial decrees signed by Jesus-Leito on April 30, 2021, shortly before the new cabinet took office, converting leasehold rights of the land into ownership.
Calmes has also filed a complaint against all parliamentarians for leaking personal data of approximately 5,000 welfare recipients. He claims this was a deliberate breach of privacy with political motives.
Against Gwendell Mercelina specifically, Calmes has filed multiple complaints, including fraud. On April 19, 2023, Mercelina allegedly abused his position as an MP by using protocol services at the airport during a private trip and possibly utilizing a diplomatic passport.
Calmes further accuses Mercelina of violating parliamentary confidentiality following an April 18, 2023, meeting with the Chamber of Commerce and the Curaçao Business Association (VBC). He also alleges unethical behavior related to Mercelina’s self-nomination as Chair of Parlatino.
Finally, Calmes criticizes Parliament Chair Charetti America-Francisca for failing to address his previous complaints. These include investigations into the HNO inquiry, the Parlatino incident involving Mercelina, and the privacy breach of welfare recipients.