Parties call decision “a slap in the face of the people” and accuse Speaker Brownbill of overstepping his authority

WILLEMSTAD - The opposition parties PAR and MAN-PIN have strongly criticized the decision by Parliament Speaker Fergino Brownbill to cancel today’s scheduled public meeting of Parliament. The session was to include a discussion with Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas, Finance Minister Javier Silvania, and the Head of the Tax Department, Alfonso Trona, regarding the widely circulated recording of a heated exchange between Silvania and Trona.

This morning, members of the opposition went to the Cabinet of the Governor to formally express their concern and demand intervention, arguing that the cancellation undermines the integrity of Parliament.

PAR leader Quincy Girigorie said the Speaker has no authority to cancel a meeting that was formally requested by three Members of Parliament. He called Brownbill’s decision “a major mistake” and an attempt to silence parliamentary oversight.

“This is not about the internal affairs of the MFK party — it’s about Parliament,” Girigorie said. “Whether Minister Silvania is present or not, Parliament has the right to answers. The coalition is responsible for ensuring the continuity of government.”

The MAN-PIN faction voiced similar concerns, warning that the cancellation risks burying the issue. The party described Brownbill’s move as “a slap in the face of the population.”

In his own statement, Speaker Brownbill explained that the meeting was canceled because Finance Minister Javier Silvania has submitted his resignation, making it impossible, in his view, to achieve the original purpose of the session.

However, both PAR and MAN-PIN argue that the resignation does not eliminate Parliament’s duty to investigate and hold the government accountable for the incident, which has raised serious questions about political interference, governance, and integrity within the Ministry of Finance.

The opposition’s visit to the Governor’s Cabinet underscores the deepening political tensions surrounding the controversy, as opposition members seek assurance that Parliament’s constitutional right to supervision and transparency will be respected.