WILLEMSTAD - The Partido Nashonal di Pueblo (PNP) has sharply criticized Parliament Chair Fergino Brownbill, accusing him of obstructing parliamentary oversight and misinterpreting his authority following the cancellation of a public meeting on the controversy surrounding the Receiver of Taxes (Landsontvanger).
In a strongly worded letter dated October 28, 2025, the PNP faction expressed “deep concern” over what it calls a “systematic obstruction of Parliament’s supervisory duties.” The meeting, requested by three MPs under Article 64 of the Rules of Order, was meant to question the government and the Landsontvanger about the ongoing corruption investigation within the Tax Department.
“President Overstepped His Role”
According to the PNP, Brownbill acted outside his authority by canceling the meeting after one of the ministers involved—Finance Minister Javier Silvania—stepped down.
“The withdrawal of a minister does not absolve the government of its responsibility,” the letter states. “By canceling the meeting, the President denied Parliament the opportunity to hold the government accountable.”
The party argues that the chair’s decision violated the constitutional principles of ministerial responsibility and parliamentary control. The letter notes that under Curaçao’s constitution, executive accountability continues through the acting minister, in this case, the interim Minister of Finance.
Political Interference Alleged
The PNP also expressed alarm over what it called an “unprecedented intrusion” by the executive branch into the legislative process, after Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas publicly defended Brownbill’s actions.
“The fact that the Prime Minister is acting as the President’s spokesperson confirms our deepest fears — that this is not just a procedural error, but a coordinated political obstruction,” the letter reads.
The party says this development threatens the separation of powers and the independence of Parliament, calling it “a dangerous precedent that undermines democracy.”
Call for Immediate Action
The PNP is urging Brownbill to take immediate corrective measures, including:
Consulting with the MPs who requested the meeting to set a new date without delay.
Pressing the government to provide full disclosure on the dispensation of confidentiality granted to the Landsontvanger, allowing Parliament to be fully informed.
Ensuring Parliament’s right and duty to supervise government actions are fully protected.
The letter concludes with an appeal for Brownbill to act as “a defender of Parliament’s constitutional rights, not merely a procedural gatekeeper.”
The PNP’s intervention comes amid mounting public scrutiny over alleged corruption within the Tax Department and growing tensions between the government and opposition over issues of transparency, governance, and democratic integrity.
