WILLEMSTAD - During the Central Committee meeting on Monday, March 23, 2026, which addressed the report by the General Audit Chamber (ARC) on the 2023 Annual Accounts, the Partido Nashonal di Pueblo (PNP) faction loudly sounded the alarm against the government's unacceptable attacks directed at our oversight institutions. Both Faction Leader mr. Ruthmilda Larmonie-Cecilia and Member of Parliament mr. Sheldry Osepa delivered sharp remarks to defend the integrity of our institutions and protect the people's money.
Faction Leader and MP Ruthmilda Larmonie-Cecilia stated in the debate that the Annual Accounts should be the mirror of our country's transparency, but what ARC presented is a "broken mirror that hides the truth from the people of Curaçao." Larmonie-Cecilia raised the alarm regarding the financial disaster, wherein there are nearly 4 billion guilders in errors and uncertainties.
She severely questioned the government's approach of attacking the ARC professionals who cannot defend themselves on the floor of Parliament.
"Instead of explaining to the people where the money went, the Minister sends a letter demanding that the Audit Chamber withdraw its report! They want to throw out the critical voice and silence the Audit Chamber. This paves the way for a dictatorship, silencing anyone with a different voice or thought," Larmonie-Cecilia declared. She also questioned the role of SOAB, pointing out that they are washing their hands like Pontius Pilate while collecting millions for 'Financial Management'.
Member of Parliament Sheldry Osepa emphasized that "the truth shall set us free." He explained that the government came to Parliament with a formal defense, but "a good defense never means that it is the truth." To illustrate this, Osepa made a simple but crucial comparison: "In the legal world, you can have ten jurists with ten different points of view. But in the end, it is the judge who decides what the truth is under the law. From that moment on, it is the judge's point of view that counts."
In matters concerning our country's finances, the General Audit Chamber (ARC) is the final authority anchored in our Constitution. Article 68 of our Constitution clearly stipulates that the General Audit Chamber is the serious body that investigates all government income and expenditure.
Osepa rejected the government's attack on the ARC under the guise of a lack of proper "hearing and rebuttal" (audi alteram partem). As the parliamentarian pointed out: "Hearing and rebuttal never mean that the person has to agree with you!" The ARC gave the Minister the chance to respond and heard the parties out, but when evidence is lacking, an accountant cannot simply turn a blind eye.
Osepa questioned the lack of respect for the institution: "It's as if they are treating the General Audit Chamber like fools. If it is the Government and Minister's opinion that the members of the Audit Chamber are of no use or do their jobs so poorly, why are they still there? You cannot attack respected professionals simply because the truth they present hurts."
For the PNP Faction, the answer to the Minister's request for Parliament to force the ARC to withdraw its report is a resounding "NO!". The PNP does not embrace mismanagement, not even if we were part of the Government that year. That is why we consistently defend the institutions of this country and the money of our people, wherever we are in government!
On behalf of the PNP Faction, MP Osepa launched a formal proposal to invite the General Audit Chamber (ARC) itself to Parliament so that they too can provide their perspective and react to the presentation given by the Government today. The 'judge' of our public finances must be heard directly.
The PNP Faction will continue to stand firm as the voice of reason and transparency for all taxpayers of Curaçao.