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| The Hon. Mr. Justice (Ret’d) Seymour Panton, OJ, CD |
It has been clear to me for a long time that a lack of appropriate socialization, despite educational achievements and positions one will still display antisocial behaviour. Over the years, our Governors General, with one exception, have held their positions and performed their duties with a high standard of decorum. Their political backgrounds never mattered. Sir Clifford Campbell was a prime example of this. I recall seeing his picture on the wall, which conveyed the image of a man who carried himself with dignity and class. Other Governors General like Howard Cooke and Florizel Glasspole also endeared themselves to the public. They held the esteemed office as head of state yet remained connected to the ordinary citizen - never displaying a "neva see come see" attitude.
This brings me to the Chairman of the Integrity Commission. I fully support the Integrity Commission's mission to address corruption in Jamaica. However, my concern is that corruption is not limited to politics—it extends into all sectors of society.
What worries me is how the Integrity Commission currently operates. It appears overly bureaucratic, leaving less time to tackle corruption and offer recommendations for improving the system. I believe it’s inefficient to require all public officials earning above a certain level to file annual reports on their income and assets. We should consider making the Tax Administration redundant for such tasks.
My doubts about the organization began after an interaction with a senior official at the Integrity Commission. Following our phone conversation, I sensed something was off about the individual, raising concerns in my mind.
The next red flag came when reports surfaced about several parliamentarians being investigated for illicit enrichment. This created a wave of political gossip and suspicion, undermining the integrity of Parliament as a whole, as all members were now viewed under a cloud of doubt.
Recently, when the Integrity Commissioners were invited to Parliament, I became even more concerned. The IC Chairman’s behaviour struck me as odd. He made a point of bringing his own water instead of drinking from a parliamentary bottle, insinuating that the behaviour of parliamentarians might be influenced by the water they consume in Parliament. While this was a humorous remark, it felt inappropriate. He even suggested that a psychiatrist should evaluate members of the House!
The IC Chairman seems to have a negative bias against some members of Parliament. If I were a lawyer in court and Justice Panton the judge, I would request that he recuse himself from the case due to apparent bias.
He used his intellectual abilities to subtly, or some might say hypocritically, suggest to the people's representatives that something was wrong with them. He even invited them to church to repent. Mr Panton, there may indeed be something in the water at Gordon House, given the behaviour of some of our representatives. But I hope you didn’t indulge in collie weed yourself. It might be time to step back and retire, my brother.
It seems as though we are entering a season of madness, as my grandmother would say, "Yu mussi drink mad puss piss!"
Note:
I expect some people after reading this blog to criticize me for being partisan. As a blogger, I criticize anyone I think I should criticize. There is no need to tell me which party I support because I vote at election time and I have my biases. The difference with me is that I don't use my biases to judge others and to verbally abuse them. Feel free to add your comments to the blog whether you support my points or not.
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I totally agree!...from foundation fren.
ReplyDeleteVery good article vernon
ReplyDeleteAs someone who claims to be a church man and a preacher I find his behavior rather appalling with such behavior how could you be inviting someone to church to repent if I am to repent and portrait such behavior then it's best I stay how I am is people like him that causes the church to not grow in numbers or people to repent he's a turn off from the Christian faith .
ReplyDeleteYes, you will get critics because we are a truly tribalised nation and some people find it difficult to put certain things aside for the sake of speaking out against what's wrong.
ReplyDeleteMr. Panton did not do himself any favours by carrying on the way he did in Parliament yesterday. His behaviour was a disgrace and he gave Christianity a bad name. He ought to step aside. After yesterday's despicable behaviour, everything the IC does and says is questionable in my mind. I don't trust them and they are quite arrogant. Can you imagine Mr. Panton declaring that he is doing the Parliament a favour by appearing before them? Jamaica needs an IC with integrity and genuine love for the country NOW!!!
I totally agree with you Vernon. This integrity commission needs
ReplyDeleteits own integrity commission.
Vernon - my friend, your bias swims on the top of the pot like coconut oil. The problem is that it is not anywhere near as healthy. However, you have a right to express yourself. So does the retired Chief Justice. And, surprise, he can do it in the house of parliament in front of the members. Where in he is criticizing the members. That's your right and his. They all agree that the IC Act needs to be reviewed. The question is what will change. They can not remove or water down the illicit enrichment clause without serius push back from the funding communities.
ReplyDeleteAs for you, stop advocating for freedom for some and restrictions on others. The members of the IC have rights too.
On point!
DeleteI support the IC 100%. The MPs for the most part have insulated, derided and falsely accused the IC for bias just for doing their job properly & throughly. This is Jamaica where we have Both JLPNP with very corrupt people why I refer to them as Big Thief. If and when the other Big Thief get in... I have no doubts they will be subjected to the same scrutiny too... And they will ball out the same way. It is a major disgrace that both the JLPNP LEADERS have their assets registered in St Lucia.
DeleteVernon Derby is not the subject of this blog. All are free to have their biases and to express their opinions. Agreements can come out of civilized discussions. Note that I have opened up my blog to all who have something positive to contribute.
DeleteThe cotton picking mind of this so called public servant has this hiarchy..in the sky ....God then his son jezas....in jamrock....the governor general then the chairman of the integrity commission...di res a wi a dutty naayga.
ReplyDeleteI find nothing wrong with the approach of the IC Chair. I think he could have been caustic. He was not. He could have been hypocritical. He was not. He could have been angry. He was not. He used humor to get his message across. Has anyone here read the law governing the operations of the IC? People please read the law and you wil see why the Chair believes something is wrong with the water. The behaviour of the parliamentarians do not add up. How can the Justice Minister who should know better demand that the IC should be ordered to approve the report on the PM. Ordered by whom? There isno one to order them. The PM is in his right to seek Judicial Review. He is following the law of the land. Let us see how that plays out. Like every one else here I am offering my opinion.
ReplyDeleteHis behaviour was concerning.
DeleteMr Panton is not a comedian. We don't expect him to go to parliament to give jokes. We expect him to answer questions asked and clarify what needs to be clarified. The IC was not created by an act of God. It was set up by human beings and operated by human beings. Corruption is not a joke matter. I am yet to hear of any major conviction for corruption. We hear about the late submission of statutory reports and errors made in the submission of such reports. Even if it is suspected that someone deliberately left out information, the IC must be able to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that the action was intended to mislead, misrepresent or cover up a matter of importance. The aim of the IC cannot be just about sinking public officials if they slip. The IC Chairman has made a major blunder and he has not apologized. MP Warmington requested that the IC be audited and the Chairman put out a long press release talking about audited financial statements. If the former Justice who is the Chairman of the IC does not know the difference between a department being audited and that department producing audited statements then he needs to have a talk with Dr. Longmore!
DeleteIt is expected that there would be people defending unprofessional, crass behaviour. Our society has become very accepting of negative behaviours. Wrong is now right and right is now wrong. It was disappointing to see people on social media defending the woman who was videoed fighting off the police and it is just as disappointing to see persons defending Jusice Panton's unprofessional and un-Christian behaviour. How can he be trusted to discharge his duties in an unbiased manner? The entire IC body needs to resign and replaced with people who are trustworthy.
ReplyDeleteAs usual I'm above the law or the fray.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting that many of you are critical of justice Panton and the IC for his comments about parliamentarians, but not of parliamentarians for criticism of the IC? It's evident your stances are prejudiced by your political opinions. It's convenient to show righteous indignation towards the IC and it's leadership, but gloss over the corrupt behaviour of politicians.
ReplyDeleteThe IC head and it's staff are doing a thankless job, but many , including Vernon who should know better, are pouring gas on the fire with their self-righteous biases and insulting comments! You are entitled to your opinion, but when you operate from a position of bias, pretending to be honest, it must be you who is consuming mad puss piss!
I do not think Vernon is being self righteous. He is fair and your are behaving like?an attack dog snd that is what Panton is doing. When the shiste blower lets the puss out of the bag hope you will not be in the way to get clawed. Jamaica is not a real place with people le you.
DeleteThe unfortunate situation in all of this is that the IC saw it fit to do such a deep investigation of PM Holness assests but not Mark Golding. If both were thoroughly investigated we would not be having this discussion. Additionally, there is cause for concern even after the international forensic audit found the PM financial affairs in order and the IC DPP found no reason for him to be held criminally liable the IC continues its witch hunt to bring down the PM. This is not normal and it would appear that other forces are at work to do damage to PM Holness. My question to all on this blog is - would you like the IC to do this to any of your family members or yourself? Think about it seriously!
ReplyDeleteMuch of the wealth that accrued to the former investment firm Dehring, Bunting and Golding came out of the whole FINSAC/ High interest rate ordeal during the Patterson administration. That period when the greatest transfer of wealth from the poor to the rich since the days of slavery took place. Now 2 of the former principals are politicians, supposedly, "to serve the people" and there is no accountability.
Delete