The Opposition will be keeping an eye on President Anthony Carmona to see if he will exert the powers he believes he has as it relates to the Strategic Services Agency (Amendment) Bill 2016 being assented to on the basis of a simple majority.
The controversial bill, which was passed in the Senate earlier this week with the help of two Independent Senators Hugh Ian Roach and Justin Junkere, still has to be assented by the President.
Tabaquite MP Dr Suruj Rambachan said yesterday he was dissatisfied that the Government pressed ahead with the legislation in its current form, despite objections by seven Independent Senators and civil society groups which asked for more consultations, checks and balances.
“Is this the way the PNM intends to govern for the rest of their term?” Rambachan asked. He said the two Independents who voted with the PNM ought to be reminded that their responsibility was far more than they appeared to appreciate.
“In the past, one of those two senators left great doubts about rationality,” he said.
Acknowledging that the Independent bench ought not to frustrate the Government, he insisted they must also take heed of the fact that they represented the public interest on the basis of being appointed by the President, who in his own right is guardian of the public interest.
“Such is the trust which the people have placed in the President,” Rambachan said, referencing his inaugural speech at his swearing-in ceremony when he alluded to powers he had and powers some thought he did not have.
Rambachan said the insinuation was that the President was not as powerless as one may think and questioned whether he would give assent to the bill on the basis of a simple majority when so many wanted a joint select committee to tighten the controls and protect the public interest.
He drew a parallel with the action of the late prime minister and president ANR Robinson in appointing Patrick Manning as Prime Minister over the incumbent Basdeo Panday during the 18/18 tie.
“The late ANR Robinson also used moral and spiritual grounds to remove a PM, who, though there was a 18/18 situation had gotten the majority of votes.”
Rambachan said citizens really did not know what had happened to their privacy with the passage of this bill and while the public was disappointed, they remained quiet, because of their respect for majority rule.
“But they have noted the disrespect and arrogance of the PNM on this matter just concluded. They will speak at the right time,” Rambachan added.