PHILIPSBURG — Member of Parliament Dimar Labega publicly apologized on Tuesday afternoon following a physical altercation and brawl that reportedly occurred on Monday involving fellow MP Ardwell Irion inside the House of Parliament.
During his remarks before Parliament, Labega acknowledged that the incident, although it reportedly took place off camera, quickly became public and was reported in the media. He expressed regret for his conduct and admitted that his actions did not reflect the standards expected of elected officials.
“My fellow colleagues, everybody in the Tribune, good afternoon… yesterday, an incident happened here in Parliament,” Labega stated during his address. He continued by saying that he wanted “to sincerely apologize for his behavior and my escalation in that incident.”
The MP emphasized that such behavior should not be tolerated either inside or outside Parliament, particularly because members serve as representatives of the people of St. Maarten. He noted that parliamentarians are expected to set an example for the public.
Labega further extended his apology to fellow members of Parliament, the institution itself, and the people of St. Maarten. He assured those present that the incident would not be repeated.
“It’s something that I will ensure will not happen again,” he said before concluding his statement.
The altercation between the two MPs has sparked discussion among members of the public regarding decorum and professionalism within Parliament. No further details about the confrontation were disclosed during Tuesday’s session.
