WILLEMSTAD – PAR parliamentary leader Quincy Girigorie says the recent Supreme Court ruling in the tax debt exemption case has exposed broader concerns about political accountability and the rule of law in Curaçao.
In a press statement, Girigorie questioned which institutions are responsible for protecting citizens when ministers repeatedly act outside the limits of their legal authority.
He argued that Curaçao's system of government exists to safeguard citizens from unlawful actions by public officials and warned against normalizing conduct that conflicts with established laws and administrative procedures.
Girigorie also questioned whether ministers who knowingly take actions later determined to be unlawful should face consequences.
He further criticized Parliament's ability to effectively supervise the executive branch, arguing that the legislature has not exercised sufficient oversight over ministers in recent years.
According to the PAR leader, in countries with strong democratic institutions, Parliament plays a central role in holding ministers accountable when they violate the law.
He expressed concern that Curaçao's Parliament has not consistently fulfilled that role, suggesting that political dynamics and the government's parliamentary majority have weakened legislative oversight.
Girigorie also questioned whether the Public Prosecution Service has a role to play in cases involving alleged unlawful conduct by ministers, stating that, in his view, it has not assumed that responsibility.
He concluded by warning that the unanswered questions surrounding the Supreme Court's ruling should be addressed before future unlawful government actions have more serious consequences for citizens.
"The question remains," Girigorie said, "which institution will protect the people of Curaçao when ministers violate the law?"
The statement reflects PAR's position on the recent court ruling and the broader debate surrounding ministerial accountability. The government has not yet responded publicly to Girigorie's remarks.