PHILIPSBURG:--- The political theater in St. Maarten reached a new low today, and the audience—the hardworking frontline workers of this country—is tired of the show. Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina took to the podium during today’s press briefing, Feb 4th, 2026, offering a masterclass in deflection and bureaucratic word salad while the very people who keep this island safe continue to suffer.
Dr. Mercelina admitted openly that it has been "years of struggle" for these workers. He acknowledged the ongoing disputes with the union and the fire department. Yet, when pressed for solutions, we got nothing but political maneuvering. He talks of "covenants," "placement processes," and "commitment letters that could be transferred into agreement letters." This is not leadership; it is stalling.
The Prime Minister claims he is "careful" because he cannot "a priori agree" with items without a legal basis. But to the firefighter waiting for retroactive payment, or the frontline worker desperate for a finalized function book, these are just excuses. While Mercelina plays politics with words, the real-world effects hit home for families trying to put food on the table. He offers committees and mediators when what is needed is action and a signature.
But the failure doesn't stop at the Prime Minister’s office. It rots right through the heart of Parliament.
We must ask: How does a coalition boasting 9 seats fail to secure a quorum for urgent national business? It is an embarrassment of governance. The Prime Minister points fingers at the opposition for not showing up, but the responsibility to govern lies with the majority. If you have the mandate, show up to work.
We are hearing reports that MP Viren Kotai is attending a religious function overseas. Is this function more critical than the governance of the country? Is it more important than the health of MP Doran? The priorities of this coalition are skewed beyond recognition. When personal engagements trump parliamentary duty, the entire system is broken.
And then there is MP Ludmilla de Weever. Her political stance is as stable as a leaf in the wind. One minute she is staging walkouts with opposition members, disrupting the flow of governance. Then next, she cannot hold the government accountable by voting on the motion. Which is it? She professes undying support for the frontline workers, yet her actions in Parliament do nothing to advance their cause. You cannot claim to support the workers while actively participating in the chaos that delays their relief.
Chair of Parliament Sarah Wescot-Williams and her colleagues are gambling with the livelihoods of our first responders. They are treating the serious business of governance like a game of musical chairs, where the only losers are the people of St. Maarten.
The frontline workers don't need more "commitment letters" or "mediators." They don't need MPs who walk out one day and shrug their shoulders the next. They need a government that shows up, sits down, and gets the job done. Anything less is a betrayal of the public trust.

PHILIPSBURG:---The House of Parliament will sit in a Public meeting on February 5, 2026.

The Public meeting is scheduled for Thursday at 10.00 hrs. in the Legislative Hall at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg.

The agenda points are:
1. Incoming documents
2. Advice on the proposal by the Committee for Petitions on the establishment of an Ad Hoc Committee related to NV GEBE

Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations. All persons visiting the House of Parliament must adhere to the house rules.
The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg.

The parliamentary sessions will be carried live on TV 15, Soualiga Headlines, via SXM GOV radio FM 107.9, via Pearl Radio FM 98.1, the audio via the internet www.youtube.com/c/SintMaartenParliament and www.pearlfmradio.sx

PHILIPSBURG:--- Day Three of the Strategic Economic Stakeholder Consultation Workshop moved the national conversation into deeper, more candid territory as government leaders and stakeholders gathered to examine policy alignment through economic, social, and labour lenses.
Described by participants as “not the most glamorous topic — but certainly one of the most necessary,” the morning session featured keynote presentations that challenged traditional thinking and advocated greater synchronization across sectors.
Reading Beyond Ourselves: Policy in Perspective
Opening the session, Senior Policy Advisor Jessica Rogers delivered a presentation centered on economic realities, policy modernization, and the need for cross-sector synchronization. Rogers emphasized that Sint Maarten does not lack ideas or initiatives but suffers from fragmentation, noting that progress slows when policies operate in silos rather than aligning with one another.
Her presentation emphasized that stakeholders must learn to read beyond their own interests, engaging with policies even when they do not directly affect their sector or personal interests. From TEATT’s perspective, the Ministry’s role is to examine dilemmas, challenges, and successes holistically, ensuring that economic growth, infrastructure planning, tourism development, and social realities are aligned.
Referencing current policy priorities, Rogers outlined why certain policies require modernization, including energy strategy, transportation frameworks, and investment diversification initiatives, stressing that conversations taking place this week are critical to updating policies for today’s realities. She reinforced that Sint Maarten’s economic pressures, ranging from infrastructure strain to housing and carrying-capacity challenges, require coordinated action rather than isolated decision-making.

Final Presentation - Stakeholde… Development and Its Social Footprint.

Following the economic policy discussion, Acting Department Head of Social Development Sharilyn Bryson presented a historical and social perspective, tracing Sint Maarten’s journey from the early 1900s to today. Her presentation illustrated how decades of development, migration, tourism expansion, and external shocks have shaped the island’s social well-being.
Bryson highlighted that while development has brought opportunity, it has also introduced complex social challenges, including an ageing population, rising cost of living, housing pressures, and evolving health concerns. Participants were reminded that economic advancement cannot be viewed in isolation from social realities, as every stage of growth leaves an imprint on communities and national well-being.
Her message underscored the importance of acknowledging historical trends when crafting future policy, encouraging stakeholders to consider the long-term social implications of economic decisions.

Labour Realities: “The Time for the People Is Now”
Closing the keynote segment, Division Head of Labor Affairs and Social Services Peggy Ann-Dros delivered a direct and unfiltered presentation on labour market realities, emphasizing that while data is widely available, the real challenge lies in how it is interpreted and applied.
Ann-Dros spoke candidly about recurring policy cycles, noting that terms such as resilience, strategic, and collaboration have been used repeatedly over the years without always producing tangible change. Her presentation addressed the realities faced by the labour department, including instances where employment permit applications were denied due to qualified local candidates being available, yet recruitment practices favored foreign hires, a phenomenon she described as ethnic recruitment.
She further highlighted legal and policy gaps that complicate decision-making, noting that in some cases, court rulings have upheld outcomes that expose weaknesses in existing policy frameworks. The presentation emphasized that balancing local protection, cultural dynamics, and investment remains one of Sint Maarten’s most pressing labour dilemmas, requiring decisive reform and stronger alignment between data, policy, and enforcement.

A Unified Message Despite Different Styles
Although each speaker approached the discussion from a different angle, economic policy, social development, and labour market reform, a common thread emerged throughout the morning session: Sint Maarten’s challenges are interconnected, and solutions must reflect a holistic national approach.
The session reinforced the workshop’s overarching theme, “Addressing Sint Maarten’s Crossroads; Charting a New Way Forward,” highlighting that meaningful progress will require honest dialogue, synchronized policies, and a willingness to confront difficult realities.
The Strategic Economic Stakeholder Consultation Workshop continues throughout the week at the Belair Community Center, bringing together government, private sector, and community voices to help shape the country’s forthcoming Strategic Economic Development Plan.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Serious questions are being raised about a potential conflict of interest involving Judianne Hoeve, the Head of the Bureau Telecommunication and Post (BTP). Appointed by National Decree to serve as the nation's chief telecommunications regulator, Hoeve has publicly promoted a foreign company, raising alarms about her commitment to the government-owned provider, TELEM, and about the integrity of her office.

The controversy stems from recent promotional activities where Hoeve, in her influential capacity, has lauded the services of a foreign-owned competitor. This has sparked outrage and concern because the BTP is mandated to provide impartial oversight of all telecommunications companies operating in the country. Its primary function is to ensure a level playing field and protect national interests, not to champion one private entity over another, especially at the expense of a state-owned enterprise.

This apparent endorsement is seen by many as a direct blow to TELEM, the national telecom provider. As a government-owned company, TELEM operates not just for profit but as a crucial piece of national infrastructure. For the head of the regulatory body to seemingly undermine its position in the market is viewed as a betrayal of public trust. The implications are significant, potentially leading to a loss of public confidence in TELEM and an unfair market advantage for its foreign competitor.

Critics argue that Hoeve's actions blur the lines between regulation and promotion, creating a glaring conflict of interest. "How can the public trust that the BTP is making unbiased regulatory decisions when its leader is actively cheerleading for a specific company?" asked one industry insider who wished to remain anonymous. "This goes against the very essence of what a regulatory body is supposed to do. It’s a watchdog, not a marketing agency."

The situation calls into question the ethical and legal framework governing officials in such powerful positions. An appointment by National Decree carries a profound responsibility to act in the public interest. Promoting a foreign corporation over a national asset appears to be a flagrant disregard for that duty. This has led to calls from various corners for a formal investigation into whether any laws or ethical guidelines have been breached.

The public reaction has been one of shock and disbelief. On social media and talk radio, citizens are questioning the allegiance of a top official appointed to safeguard their interests. The telecommunications industry, already highly competitive, is now unsettled by the regulator's questionable favoritism.

This troubling development demands immediate attention and full transparency. The public deserves to know the extent of the relationship between the Head of BTP and the foreign company she has promoted. There must be accountability for actions that threaten the stability of our national telecommunications infrastructure and erode trust in public institutions. A thorough and impartial investigation is no longer just an option; it is a necessity to restore integrity to the BTP office and ensure a fair and competitive market for all.