WILLEMSTAD – Opposition party MAN-PIN has raised concerns about a planned trip by Curaçao Parliament President Fergino Brownbill to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, questioning both the duration of the visit and the potential use of public funds.
In a letter dated June 12, MAN-PIN faction leader Giselle Mc William requested clarification regarding reports that the Parliament President intends to attend multiple World Cup matches in the United States.
According to Mc William, the party initially had no objection to Brownbill attending Curaçao’s first World Cup match, describing it as a unique and historic moment for the island. She stated that the presence of the President of Parliament at such an event could symbolically represent Curaçao’s legislature during a milestone in the nation’s sporting history.
However, MAN-PIN said it became concerned after learning that the trip may involve attendance at three World Cup matches, requiring an absence of more than two weeks, and that members of Parliament’s administrative staff may also accompany the President.
The party argues that such an extended trip would be difficult to justify at a time when many residents are struggling with the high cost of living.
In the letter, Mc William asks whether the trip is officially considered a work-related mission connected to the FIFA World Cup and whether public funds will be used to cover travel, accommodations, tickets, and accompanying personnel.
MAN-PIN is also seeking clarification regarding a possible official invitation from FIFA. The party wants to know whether such an invitation was formally received, when it arrived, and whether it was processed through Parliament’s normal procedures for incoming official correspondence. If an invitation exists, the faction is requesting that it be made available to Parliament.
The letter further questions whether the proper parliamentary procedures were followed before approving the trip. According to MAN-PIN, Parliament’s Rules of Order require work-related travel requests to be considered by the Central Committee except in urgent circumstances. Mc William argues that no urgency existed because the World Cup schedule has been known for a considerable period of time.
The faction therefore contends that if the matter was not submitted to the Central Committee, the approval process may not have complied with parliamentary rules.
MAN-PIN also points out that Curaçao will already be represented at the tournament by Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas and Governor Lucille George-Wout’s successor, Governor Maurits de Kort. According to the party, the Governor is expected to attend only the opening match involving Curaçao.
In addition, the opposition faction questions the necessity of assigning Parliament staff to accompany the President, arguing that their primary responsibility is to support parliamentary operations on the island.
The letter also raises concerns about parliamentary continuity during the period in question. MAN-PIN states that Vice President Yung is reportedly expected to be absent from Curaçao during the same period, while the Clerk of Parliament is on vacation until June 23 and the Deputy Clerk is reportedly expected to travel with the President.
Mc William concluded by requesting a prompt response from Brownbill regarding the issues raised in the letter.
The Parliament President has not yet publicly responded to the concerns.