PHILIPSBURG:---  In celebration of the 15^th Anniversary of achieving the political status of becoming a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands on October 10^th, 2010, the Government of Sint Maarten will be celebrating Constitution Day on October 13^th at the Jocelyn Arndell Festival Village at 11:30 am.

This year’s theme is entitled “Fifteen Years of Country Status-Honoring Our Past, Shaping our Future,” and will be celebrated in two parts. The program will begin with a uniform parade and official speeches, followed by an Intercultural Food Festival & Cultural Showcase, featuring the various nations that have made Sint Maarten their home and continue to contribute to the fabric of our intercultural society.

Honorable Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercilina extends a special invitation to all residents and guests on Sint Maarten to come out and attend the celebratory activities during Constitution Day with free entrance at the Jocelyn Arnedll Festival Village. Constitutional Day is commemorated as a Public Holiday annually on the second Monday in October. For those unable to attend in person, the celebrations will be broadcast live via the Department of Culture Facebook page.

Following the Solemn Meeting of the Parliament of Sint Maarten at 10:00 am, the Uniform Parade will start at 11:30 am and proceed via the route, Long Wall Road onto the Walter Nisbeth Road to the Jocelyn Arndell Festival Village. The procession with over 100 participants will feature the following marching troupes led by the Police Force (KPSM), Voluntary Korps Sint Maarten (VKS), Coast Guard Sint Maarten, Customs Officers, Seventh Day Adventist Pathfinders, and Sint Maarten Youth Brigade.

Official Addresses by Government Officials, including His Excellency Governor Ajamu Baly, Honorable President of Parliament Sarah Wescot Williams, Honorable Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercilina, and Honorable Minister of Education, Culture, Youth & Sport Melissa Gumbs, will then take place on the grounds of the Jocelyn Arndell Festival Village.

Honorable Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina stated, “Constitution Day is an important day for all citizens as it reminds us of the journey we embarked upon fifteen years ago to shape our own destiny as a country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. It is a moment to honor the sacrifices, resilience, and unity that have guided our progress, while reaffirming our collective responsibility to build a stronger, more inclusive, and prosperous Sint Maarten for generations to come.”

The afternoon phase of the celebration will feature the Intercultural Food Festival, where festival village guests will have the opportunity to sample a diverse array of tasty cuisines from the many cultures that comprise the community of people residing on Sint Maarten. While the Cultural Showcase taking place on the mainstage will allow the audience to enjoy a wide range of talent and the rich cultural creativity of our local artists from 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

In addition to the activities on Constitutional Day, focus has also been placed on involving the youth of Sint Maarten; thus, the Department of Culture and the Sint Maarten Youth Parliament have joined forces to host a special event.

Youth Reflections: Fifteen Years of Country Status will be a presentation by the youth for the youth, that consists of amazing speeches, powerful spoken word, great music, a panel discussion, and dances that will take place at the Philipsburg Cultural & Community Center on Saturday, October 11th at 6:00 pm. All youth on the island are invited to participate in this presentation by their fellow Youth Parliament representatives.

Minister of Education, Culture, Youth, and Sport, the Honorable Melissa Gumbs, shared her thoughts on the importance of youth expression, “Fifteen years of Country status signify more than a constitutional milestone. They mark the ongoing journey of a people who continue to learn, create, dream, and rise together. Through education, we build minds; through culture, we honor our spirit; through our youth, we renew our hope; and through sport, we strengthen our spirit of unity. May this Constitution Day remind us that our greatest achievement is not only in the past we honour, but in the future, we have the courage to shape, together.”

PHILIPSBURG:--- NAGICO Insurances is excited to announce the official launch of our NAGICARE SME Smart Health Insurance, a comprehensive and affordable medical plan, tailored to provide coverage for Small Business Owners and Entrepreneurs who no longer have medical coverage under SZV following the recent changes.
According to Tamisha Wigley, NAGICO’s Operations Manager for St Maarten, Saba & Statia, “The NAGICARE SME Smart Health product was created specifically for this target group, which no longer qualifies for SZV,” she said. “This plan is a complete all-in-one coverage which will ensure that the insured has access to quality medical coverage at an affordable rate. So, whether it’s a simple routine checkup or for an emergency, NAGICARE Smart Health will ensure you are covered, not only here locally, but also when you travel abroad. Our goal is to make healthcare more accessible for everyone.”
Under the NAGICARE SME Smart Health, the insured will have coverage for: Vision Care, Dental Services, Annual Checkups, Lab Testing, Preventative Care, Emergency Overseas Treatment, and much more.

HARBOUR VIEW, PHILIPSBURG:--- Governor of Sint Maarten, His Excellency A.G. Baly, LL.M., today announced the speakers for the 12th Annual Governor’s Symposium.

The distinguished group of experts who will address this year’s event, themed “15 Years of Constitutional Autonomy: Achievements, Lessons, and Prospects,” represents diverse fields including law, governance, economics, and social development. The Symposium will take place on Friday, October 10, 2025, at the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine in Cupecoy. The distinguished group of experts for this year's Symposium include:

• Franklyn Richards, a legal scholar, and Lieutenant Governor of the former Island Territory of Sint Maarten (2000–2010), continues to contribute to national institutions through leadership roles at the Progress Committee, the Sint Maarten Volunteer Corps Foundation (VKS), and the General Pension Fund of Sint Maarten (APS). His career reflects decades of dedication to good governance, public service, and civic resilience.
• Nancy R. Guishard-Joubert, member of the Council of Advice of Sint Maarten, is a constitutional and administrative law specialist. She previously served as Secretary General of Parliament and played a key role in the legislative process leading up to and following Sint Maarten’s constitutional transition in 2010.
• Jason Lista, Economic Analysis and Research Specialist at the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten (CBCS), focuses on Sint Maarten’s real sector and macroeconomic outlook. He has previously served as a senior policy advisor to the Government of Sint Maarten and contributes to regional economic research and IMF consultations.
• Carla Vlaun, Managing Director of Tackling Law and former policy advisor at the Social Economic Council, is a researcher and cultural advocate whose work bridges governance, heritage, and civic engagement. She is also the co-host of Mele, Sint Maarten’s first historical podcast exploring local history and identity.
• Jorien Wuite, Crown-appointed member of the Social Economic Council (SER), former Minister Plenipotentiary, and Member of the Second Chamber of the Netherlands, is known for her leadership in both Sint Maarten and the Netherlands. She currently serves in various supervisory and advisory capacities, including at the Netherlands Film Fund and Qredits, advancing social innovation and cultural collaboration across the Kingdom. 
• Khalilah S. Peters, Senior Director of Caribbean Government Relations at Adtalem Global Education, with over 15 years of experience in regional policy and diplomacy as the former Head of the Department of Foreign Relations of the Government of Sint Maarten will moderate the panel discussion and public engagement session. Panelists will reflect on Sint Maarten’s 15-year constitutional journey, highlight lessons learned, and share insights for the country’s path forward. 

As in previous years, attendance at the Symposium is by invitation only. However, the public is encouraged to join the conversation virtually. The event will be livestreamed on the Governor’s official Facebook page and YouTube channel on Friday, October 10, 2025, starting at 8:30 a.m. In-person registration for invited guests begins at 8:00 a.m. promptly. Virtual viewers are encouraged to log on a few minutes early to ensure access.

Interested parties who wish to attend the Symposium may submit their requests for attendance via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  or through the Governor’s official Facebook page.

Member of Parliament Ardwell Irion countersues Attorney Bloem.

PHILIPSBURG:---A high-profile legal dispute between Member of Parliament Ardwell Irion and Attorney Jairo Bloem is set to take center stage in court this week. The case stems from a heated exchange of allegations and counterclaims regarding public statements made by both parties in recent days.

Attorney Jairo Bloem has filed an injunction against MP Ardwell Irion, accusing him of making defamatory remarks about his professional record and suitability for the position of Chairperson of the Central Bank of Curaçao and Sint Maarten. Bloem claims that Irion’s statements, published in The People’s Tribune and reiterated on the Lady Grace Radio program, were factually incorrect and damaging to his reputation. He is demanding a public retraction and apology from Irion, as well as assurances that such statements will not be repeated.

In response, MP Irion has rejected Bloem’s allegations, defending his remarks as part of his constitutional role in scrutinizing government conduct. Irion maintains that his statements were made in good faith during a public debate of significant societal importance and were neither defamatory nor unlawful. Furthermore, Irion has announced his intention to counter-sue Bloem for libel, citing what he describes as factually incorrect and professionally improper statements made by Bloem during the Lady Grace program.

The legal proceedings are scheduled to begin on Thursday at 3:00 PM, when the court will hear Bloem’s injunction against Irion. The case has garnered significant public attention, as it addresses issues of governance, accountability, and the boundaries of public discourse in matters of societal importance.

As the legal battle unfolds, both parties remain steadfast in their positions, with potential implications for their reputations and the broader public debate surrounding the Central Bank nomination process. The court’s decision is highly anticipated and could set a precedent for how such disputes are handled in the future.

In the meantime, Bloem has withdrawn his candidacy for the position of chair of the Central Bank Supervisory Board.