PHILIPSBURG:--- 

The House of Parliament will sit in a Central Committee meeting on April 22, 2026.
The Central Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday at 13.00 hrs. in the Legislative Hall at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg.

The agenda points are:
1. Report from the Committee of Parlatino Matters regarding the First Vice Chairmanship of a Parlatino Committee (IS/962/2025-2026 dated April 15, 2026)

2. Approval of composition delegation and provisions for Members of Parliament to participate in the 22nd ParlAmericas Plenary Assembly and the 10th Gathering of the Open Parliament Network, in Ottawa, Canada, from May 19- 22, 2026 (IS/936/2025-2026 dated April 7, 2026)

3. Approval of composition delegation and provisions for Members of Parliament to participate in IPKO and Tripartite meetings in the The Hague, the Netherlands from June 4-8, 2026 (IS/724/2025-2026 dated February 23, 2026)

4. Debriefing on ParlAmericas workshop on care systems for Caribbean Parliamentarians from April 16-17, 2026, in St. George’s, Grenada

5. Discussion regarding the proposal of Kingdom Law amending the Netherlands-Sint Maarten Tax Arrangement in connection with the implementation of the outcomes of the Base Erosion and Profit Shifting project of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, as well as other amendments (IS/256/2025-2026 dated October 30, 2025)
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 Soualiga Headlines, via SXM GOV radio FM 107.9, via Pearl Radio FM 98.1, the audio via the internet www.sxmparliament.org, www.pearlfmradio.sx and www.youtube.com/c/SintMaartenParliament

PHILIPSBURG:--- Let me start with something simple. The questions MP Lewis has been talking about in the press have not yet reached my office. They will be answered in full once they come through the proper channel in Parliament. But because the narrative being advanced in public right now is wrong, a few things need to be said straight away.
For the sake of clarity, one important point should be corrected at the outset. The Chief of Police has not been “appointed” to a separate post of Secretary-General. What is at issue is a temporary stand-in arrangement to ensure continuity of the Ministry when the Secretary-General is absent or unavailable. Such arrangements are governed by Article 25 of the Civil Servants Ordinance and exist precisely to prevent administrative stagnation. “Acting Secretary-General” is not a job. It is not a position that gets posted, advertised, or filled through a recruitment process. It is simply the rule for who steps in on days when the Secretary-General is away, sick, traveling for work, or otherwise unavailable. Every ministry needs someone who can sign papers and keep the work of government moving. That is all this is.
Now to the heart of the “conflict of interest” claim, because it rests on a basic misunderstanding of how the justice chain actually works.
A conflict of interest arises when someone ends up in a position to supervise themselves, or to check their own work, or to make decisions about their own pay, promotion, or discipline. That is not the situation here, and it never has been. The Chief of Police does not report to the Secretary-General. He never has. Under the law, the Chief of Police answers to the Minister for operational policing matters, and the Secretary-General runs the civil service side of the ministry. They are two separate tracks that both lead to the Minister, not one track where one person sits above the other. And on both of those tracks, the Minister holds political responsibility and the final decision. A stand-in does not set policy. A stand-in does not take decisions that are reserved to the Minister by law. Nothing of substance moves in this ministry without my knowledge and my authorization. That is how the system is designed, and that is how it is being run.
As a lawyer and as the sitting Minister of Justice, I take that responsibility seriously. The decision to designate the Chief of Police as a stand-in was mine, made with full awareness of the applicable legal framework. Mr. John has my confidence. He has served as Chief of Police since 2015, has performed well in that role, and has played a constructive part in bringing cohesion to the Ministry.
And this is where the concern deepens, not about the arrangement, but about the person raising the alarm. MP Lewis is a former Minister of Justice and a former police officer. The Kingdom Act on the Police and the broader framework governing how the Chief of Police, the Minister, and the civil apparatus of the ministry relate to each other are not unfamiliar territory to him. It is territory he has worked in for years, from both sides. A misunderstanding of this basic structure, from someone with his background, is difficult to explain as an honest mistake. The public is entitled to ask whether the confusion is real or whether the framework is being misrepresented on purpose to manufacture a controversy. Neither possibility reflects well on the seriousness of the concerns he claims to be raising.
That brings us to the history, and this is where the facts matter most.
This arrangement is not new, and it is not unusual. For years, under several different governments, the role of acting Secretary-General has been filled by whichever service head within the ministry made sense at the time. Under Minister Kirindongo, the Chief of Police filled it. Under Minister Anna Richardson, the role rotated among multiple service heads over the course of her tenure. For a long stretch spanning multiple administrations, including during MP Lewis’s own tenure as Minister of Justice, the Head of the Financial Intelligence Unit filled it. None of this was treated as a conflict of interest at the time. No fifty-question letters were sent to Parliament. No press releases were written about good governance and institutional integrity. The work of the ministry simply continued, because that is what the stand-in arrangement exists to make possible.
So the question answers itself. If the same arrangement was acceptable under Minister Kirindongo, across Minister Richardson’s full tenure, and during MP Lewis’s own time as Minister of Justice, it cannot suddenly become a scandal now. The arrangement has not changed. The person writing the press release has.
I welcome scrutiny. Every minister should. But scrutiny only means something when the same rules are applied to everyone. Raising an alarm about something that was perfectly fine when you were the one doing it is not scrutiny. It is politics.
Public debate is important, but it should remain grounded in the applicable legal framework and in the facts.
The people working in our justice sector deserve better than that, and so does the public. When MP Lewis’s questions reach my desk through Parliament, they will be answered, fully and on the record.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Bureau Telecommunications and Post Sint Maarten (BTP) proudly announces its participation in the 25th Congress of the Postal Union of the Americas, Spain and Portugal (UPAEP), held in Cascais, Portugal, from April 13–17, 2026.

Representing Sint Maarten, Director Ms. Judianne Hoeve actively participated in the congress deliberations and contributed to key discussions shaping the future of the postal sector. During the congress, Ms. Hoeve signed several important resolutions on behalf of Sint Maarten, reinforcing the country’s commitment to regional and international cooperation in postal development and regulation.

Also representing Sint Maarten were Director of Postal Services Sint Maarten (PSS), Ms. Antonia Wilson and Senior Postal Consultant, Mr. Franklin Sluis, underscoring a strong delegation focused on advancing the postal sector.

The 25th UPAEP congress brought together member countries to strengthen cooperation, modernize postal services, and establish strategic priorities for the next four years. Key topics included the review of UPAEP legislation, regulatory frameworks, and enhanced technical cooperation, with a strong focus on logistics, e-commerce, and sustainable development.

Participation in this congress is of significant importance to Sint Maarten, as it ensures the country remains aligned with international standards and best practices in postal services, while also providing opportunities to strengthen regional partnerships and improve service delivery locally.

Director Judianne Hoeve stated:

“Our active participation in the UPAEP congress ensures that Sint Maarten has a voice in shaping the future of postal services in our region. Strengthening cooperation and modernizing our systems are critical not only for Sint Maarten, but for the wider Caribbean, as we work towards more efficient, resilient, and inclusive postal networks that support trade, e-commerce, and connectivity.”

BTP remains committed to fostering innovation, collaboration, and regulatory excellence in both the telecommunications and postal sectors for the benefit of Sint Maarten and the wider region.

PHILIPSBURG:--- In an atmosphere filled with pride, resilience, and celebration, the Hearts United Holistic Care Foundation (Hearts United) hosted a memorable graduation ceremony on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at the John Larmonie Center in Philipsburg. The event marked the successful completion of the 12-month “Second Chance” Community Hospitality and Recreational Intermediate Skills Training (C.H.R.I.S.T.) program by 12 determined adult participants—individuals who seized an opportunity to rewrite their stories.
The graduating class represents the third cohort to complete the program since its inception three years ago, a milestone that underscores the growing impact of an initiative designed to uplift and empower those often overlooked by society. Sponsored by the St. Maarten Development Fund (SMDF), the C.H.R.I.S.T. program continues to stand as a powerful example of how targeted training, mentorship, and compassion can create real pathways to sustainable livelihoods.
From the outset, the ceremony struck a balance between elegance and warmth. Moderated by Ms. Carshena Gordon, Treasurer of the Board of Hearts United, the proceedings flowed seamlessly, guided by her unique blend of professionalism and lighthearted humor that resonated with attendees.
A highlight of the evening was the keynote address delivered by Dr. Emiko Bird-Lake. Her speech, described by many as deeply moving and profoundly inspiring, emphasized the importance of second chances and the transformative power of perseverance. She commended the graduates for their courage and determination, reminding them that their achievements extend far beyond certificates—they represent renewed purpose and hope.
Also in attendance was Ms. Melanie Choisy, representing the SMDF, whose presence reaffirmed the organization’s continued commitment to community development and social empowerment initiatives.
Throughout the ceremony, several graduates took to the stage to share heartfelt testimonies. Their words painted vivid pictures of personal struggles, growth, and ultimately triumph. Many spoke of how the program not only equipped them with professional skills but also restored their confidence and sense of self-worth.
The comprehensive nature of the C.H.R.I.S.T. program was evident in the graduates’ accomplishments. Participants successfully earned multiple certifications through the American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute (AHLEi), qualifying them as Customer Service Representatives, Restaurant Servers, and Front Desk Representatives. In addition, they completed Public Health and Sanitation training, developed critical Soft and Social Skills, and obtained WIEMS First Aid certification—passing all components with distinction.
Yet, the program’s true strength lies beyond technical training. Under the guidance of co-facilitator Ms. Maria Chemont, students engaged in intensive personal development sessions covering self-esteem, morals and values, self-worth, and professional self-representation. These sessions proved transformative, reshaping participants’ perspectives and equipping them with the mindset needed to succeed in both personal and professional spheres.
Further enriching the program, students completed a one-month practical internship at leading hospitality establishments, including The Morgan Resort and Simpson Bay Beach Resort. Representatives from both institutions attended the ceremony, offering words of encouragement and acknowledging the graduates’ dedication and performance during their training. Their endorsements signaled a promising bridge between training and employment opportunities within Sint Maarten’s vital tourism sector.
The ceremony also featured remarks from program mentor and facilitator Mr. Early Charlemagne, a seasoned hospitality professional and certified trainer through AHLEi. He reflected on the journey of the cohort, highlighting their resilience and commitment to excellence. Ms. Chemont echoed these sentiments, emphasizing the profound personal transformations she witnessed throughout the year.
In closing, the Executive Director of Hearts United Donna Morrison-Wilson delivered a powerful message reaffirming the foundation’s mission: to remain a beacon of hope and positive change within the community. The success of the C.H.R.I.S.T. program, she noted, is not merely measured in certificates awarded but in lives transformed and futures reimagined.
As the evening concluded with applause, celebration, and a shared sense of accomplishment, one message stood clear—second chances, when paired with opportunity and support, can lead to extraordinary outcomes.
For the 12 graduates of the 2026 cohort, this ceremony was not an end, but a new beginning. And for Sint Maarten, it was a reminder that investing in people remains the most powerful catalyst for lasting change.
This program is funded by the Sint Maarten Development Fund and facilitated by Hearts United Holistic Care Foundation HUHCF). The 2026-2027 cohort of the program began in March 2026 and would conclude at the end of February and currently has 15 students enrolled in the program.
For more information about the programs offered by the Foundation, please see our Facebook page or contact us on the following numbers 1 721 523-0901 / 523-8460 / 523-2170 or email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.