Member of Parliament Xiomara Maduro questions Minister Gerlien Croes, who wants to convince the people that more control via HOFA is necessary to manage public finances, while she herself shows no respect for the control institutions that already exist in Aruba.
Aruba has control
“Control is not just creating more rules, more bodies, or letting others control us. Control is when you ensure that our own institutions, such as Parliament, the Court of Audit (Algemene Rekenkamer), and the LAR, are strong, independent, and able to do their work,” the MP expressed.
The Minister does not respect control
The LAR is one of the institutions that helps maintain balance in governance. It exists to ensure that the Government and ministers act in accordance with the law, and that citizens can question government decisions. On July 10, the LAR issued its advice in the case related to Minister Gerlien Croes’s official trip by private jet. Today is August 28 and the minister has provided no clarity in the case known as Jetlien. The Minister does not respect the control of the LAR.
The Minister still has not provided the transparency this case demands. Parliament still has not received the requested clarity. The people still have not seen the evidence regarding the payment for the trip.
The Minister wants HOFA control
We hear the same Minister speak of control, discipline, and the need to introduce HOFA to control public finances. For MP Xiomara Maduro, the question is simple: How can you ask for more control from the outside while you do not respect and strengthen the control mechanisms we already have in Aruba?
If Minister Croes believes in good governance, she must start showing it in practice: respect the LAR’s advice, account to Parliament, and share the requested information with the people.
Good governance is not a slogan
Transparency is not something you apply only when it is convenient. And control is not something you can sell to the people while ignoring the institutions that exist to check the Government. “Control begins at home. Strengthen our institutions. Respect their work. Account to Parliament, and tell the people the truth,” is the message MP Xiomara Maduro wants to emphasize.