Two Montserrado County Representatives have sharply reacted to allegation linking them and other lawmakers of receiving bribe for the unlawful passage of FY 2022 recast budget at US$806,587,341 without any scrutiny.
Rep. Solomon George of District 7 stated that it was his three months legitimate benefits owed him that he was requesting for and not any ‘kickback’ as being insinuated in the public, while Rep. Dennis of District 4 said her comments were mainly based on the 4G and the illegal and unprecedented passage of the budget.
The lawmakers’ clarification came in the wake of series of public outcries on various local and social media platforms over leaked chats from Members of the House of Representatives WhatApps Chat-room in which some lawmakers were demanding their benefits.
Additionally, the lawmakers’ request for their benefits in the Chat-room that has now caused serious panic among the citizenry followed the Tuesday, July 12, 2022, unprecedented passage into law FY 2022 recast budget at US$806,587,341 without scrutiny in line with legislative procedures and Section 36 of the Public Financial Management Act of 2009.
A gist of the exchanges leaked from the lawmakers’ Chat-room which is in the possession of this paper discovered some disturbing messages of some lawmakers expressing disenchantments over the decision of plenary to pass the draft budget without any scrutiny; contrary to the usual legislative practice.
The leaked messages further showed heated arguments among the lawmakers, with some threatening court action and others requesting their benefits for passing the 2022 recast budget.
In the chat-room, Rep. Rustonlyn Suacoco Dennis said, “Before budget is passed, it must be accompanied by 3 key documents. Was it? No. Did we have time to peruse it? No. Again, if it is not satisfactory, we will use the court. I heard you weren’t in the know but that seems contrary now.”
Deputy House Speaker interjected, “I don’t have to be in the know when the majorities have acted. The budget was read on the floor. Those who felt they understood and agreed voted to pass it. That happens to be majority. This is how our democracy works. And you cannot subscribe motive to me for defending the process. Majority rule is the principle.”
Unknown: “So, boss what were the legal lapses? Again it was a little over US$41 million and not US$800 million.”
Deputy Speaker Koffa: “It was read and appropriately passed by the majority. I don’t like it either but it’s the system we have.”
Rep. Acarous Gray: “This is not the first time for a recast to be read and passed the same day for concurrence.”
Rep. Solomon George: “What is our benefit after passing the recast budget? Me, I say me I want my benefit oh.”
Hon. Suacoco: “I na see woman, you take off trouser?”
But appearing on Hott FM Radio yesterday in Monrovia, the District 7 Lawmaker maintained, “I am really disappointed in some media institutions and the public for accusing and attacking my personal over things I know nothing about. I have never asked or requested for any kickback. All I have been seeking is my legitimate and constitutional benefits,” he said.
He maintained, “It’s just so unfortunate that conversations that were not meant to be shared outside of the Chat-room were leaked out and for whatever reason it happens, or did it is yet to be established.”
The CDC tough-talking lawmaker indicated that contrary to the misinterpretation, there was no favor granted him for passing the recast budget and that what he was requesting for was his entitlement as required by law and enshrined within the 2022 budget.
Rep. George at the same time called on the media and the public to at all times be just in their interpretation of once statement by asking the author for clarification for the common good and growth of Liberia.
He however maintained that he remains resolute in the discharge of his legislative duty, adding, “I stand by everything I said in that Chat-room because I’m entitled to it by law. So I am not deterred or moved by public perception on the character.”
Meanwhile, Rep. Dennis at the same frowned on some media institutions and the citizenry for the form and manner in which she has been misinterpreted, noting, “My statement in that Chat-room and on my official Facebook is clear and it was not about my colleagues not seeing and passed budget.”
“If you take a clearer look at my message, I was directly attacking the Deputy Speaker and questioning the decision of them passing the recast budget without proper scrutiny especially so when you have too many priorities that need to be addressed,” she intoned.
“I was never refereeing to Rep. George who was asking for his legitimate benefits but was expressing my disappointment about the4G passage of the recast budget such an amount without doing due diligence,” she said.
“And what baffles me most is that the public and some media institutions are not running with pressing and serious issues about the budget, instead, they are talking about lawmakers requesting for things due them; this is so sad for Liberia,” Rep. Dennis lamented.
