Robinson-Regis Abuses Separation of Powers

The reading by Minister Camille Robinson Regis of a search warrant allegedly issued for Oropouche East MP Dr Roodal Moonilal is an issue that should be of concern to all right thinking citizens.

Our Parliamentary democracy is predicated upon the separation of powers and Minister Robinson Regis was crossing f the line that separates the Legislative/ Executive from the other arms of government. Our Westminster system of governance presupposes this separation of powers with its attendant check and balances. One of these checks and balance include the political insulation of the police. Robinson Regis has now stepped over this Rubicon in the Parliament.

Recently the nation witnessed the abuse of the political directorate with the firing of PATT Charmine Lewis and PTSC Ronald Forde after appearing before a Joint Select Committee. These violations of the constitutional rights by political abuse of the Parliament continued with the statement of Minister Robinson Regis’s statement.

Dr. Roodal Moonilal has been in the Parliament for a number of years and since the Parliament convened for the National Budget Dr. Moonilal has been there. Dr. Moonilal was not hiding under the covers at home or under a rock. If the police had Dr. Moonilal as a person of interest they knew where to find him. Dr. Moonilal has actually written to the Commissioner of Police via his attorney at law as he has never been served any warrant.

The warrant in question began circulating on social media since late August 2017 but to date there has been no official confirmation from the relevant authorities that the warrant is a genuine warrant. As a responsible Member of Parliament I do not believe that Robinson Regis relied on this social media posting without verifying it.
Therefore what warrant did Minister Robinson Regis actually read into the Hansard ? Is Minister Robinson Regis privy to documentation that is yet to be served or is Minister Robinson Regis reading a FAKEWarrant? How can Minister Robinson Regis have a warrant for Moonilal and Moonilal himself has never seen it or it has never been served?

The philosophical underpinning of the PNM Rowley Administration with these naked but sophisticated abuses of the Parliament is deeply worrisome for our country’s democracy.

Minister Robinson Regis in a real party that respects the Parliament would be reprimanded and made to apologize to not only Dr. Moonilal but also the Parliament and peoples of Trinidad and Tobago.

Devant Maharaj