WILLEMSTAD – Opposition faction MAN-PIN is raising constitutional concerns over reports that the Curaçao government attempted to introduce additional financial compensation for ministers and members of Parliament through a national decree.
The faction argues that the government cannot simply authorize a thirteenth-month salary or another bonus for political officeholders without first establishing the necessary legal basis.
In a formal request submitted to Parliament President Fergino Brownbill on November 6, MAN-PIN called for Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas to answer questions about the legal procedures allegedly followed by the government.
The opposition specifically refers to several provisions of Curaçao's Constitution that regulate the compensation of ministers and parliamentarians.
According to MAN-PIN, Article 37 establishes the legal framework governing financial compensation for ministers.
The faction argues that any additional payment must comply with the applicable legal requirements and cannot automatically be introduced through a decision of the Council of Ministers.
For members of Parliament, MAN-PIN points to Article 52 of the Constitution, which requires legislation regulating their financial compensation to be adopted by a two-thirds majority of Parliament.
The faction therefore questions whether the government would have the authority to introduce an additional payment for parliamentarians through a national decree without first obtaining the necessary parliamentary approval.
MAN-PIN also refers to Article 85, which concerns the adoption of the national budget.
The opposition wants to know whether any proposed additional compensation would comply with the legal requirements governing government expenditure and budget authorization.
Another significant aspect of the controversy concerns the constitutional role of Governor Mauritsz de Kort.
According to reports cited by MAN-PIN, the governor may have refused to sign a national decree intended to authorize the additional payments.
The faction wants to establish whether the governor had previously warned Prime Minister Pisas against submitting a decree that lacked a sufficient legal basis.
MAN-PIN is specifically questioning whether the governor attempted to prevent a situation in which he would be required to refuse his signature because the proposed measure did not comply with constitutional requirements.
These questions have not yet been answered publicly, and the reported actions of the governor remain unconfirmed.
The opposition is seeking clarification about the existence of the alleged decree, its legal foundation, and the governor's involvement.
The matter raises a broader constitutional issue concerning the limits of executive authority when determining financial benefits for elected and appointed political officials.
While the government is responsible for implementing policy and managing public finances, changes to statutory compensation arrangements must comply with the legal procedures established under Curaçao's constitutional framework.
MAN-PIN maintains that the government must explain whether those requirements were respected in this case.
The faction has requested a parliamentary question hour with Prime Minister Pisas to obtain formal answers.
The prime minister's response will be important in establishing whether a proposal for additional compensation actually existed and, if so, whether it was handled in accordance with Curaçao's constitutional and budgetary rules.