Former Defence Minister Florencio Marin Jr. Speaks Out on Procurement Controversy

Former Defence Minister Florencio Marin Jr. spoke out today about the procurement controversy at his former ministry. Appearing on The Morning Show, Marin explained why he took a leave of absence and said he is no longer collecting a minister’s salary.  For context, the former minister requested ninety days’ leave in July after an audit was launched into his ministry.  According to Marin, he had actually asked for an annual audit of the ministry, but it never happened.

Florencio Marin Jr: “When the audit was called for, and the Auditor General presented herself at the ministry, you know I felt uncomfortable being there at the same time she’s conducting it. You know, I didn’t want anyone saying, “Well, all right, we are there,” and then, you know, there would be undue influence or an attempt to cajole the Auditor General to do the audit in a certain way. And hence, I figured it would be best if I excuse myself from the ministry and that is how I called the Prime Minister and the PM and said “PM you know this process is important. It’s critical to bring everything to light. So my presence, I feel, would be a little interference, a little hindrance to the integrity of it. People would have all these information being spread about that, oh, whatever.” So I said best keep it that the integrity of the audit goes correct. I also want to let you know when I entered the ministry in November 2020, one of the first phone calls I made was I asked the then Auditor General to come into the ministry. And I said “Auditor General, I would like an audit of the ministry. I would like to know what we inherited but as well, I would like for you to conduct an annual audit.” because, you know, audits are not investigations, they’re not witch hunts. They’re there to see how the ministry is following the processes. There’s a lot of technical processes that are below the minister’s level and this would help us to keep on track and ensure we’re achieving everything correctly. Unfortunately, at the time, there weren’t the resources for that to occur and so we never did get that. And then, well, we did a lot of good work. So I mean, that was not able to occur. So right now, quite frankly, I’m encouraged that we now have an audit to look at the issues that are the technical processes that are being used right now to ensure that the system is functioning correctly.”

Reporter: Do you feel that perhaps had they listened or had they honored your request for an annual audit that all of this could have been avoided?

Florencio Marin Jr: “I don’t want to put it in such a negative light. You know, I mean, you will remember we came in, we weren’t, the briefing we got in cabinet was that we weren’t on the fiscal cliff we were already off. And then there was COVID, you know, and then the previous prime minister commented that he weeps for Belize. So it’s not an issue of any negligence on anyone’s part. We really were in a challenging time. You know, so I mean, yes, it would have been nice to continually have it. And I know all major corporations,  in particular the successful ones, always ensure they have yearly audits. It’s not at which hunt,  it is there to ensure they’re following proper procedures. and where they need to improve on certain things well then you can catch it and you improve on it. And so you continue having proper procedures as you continue operating, and that was the intention at the time.”

On the contracts themselves, Marin assured that they all went through the Tendering Committee, the Ministry of Finance and the Office of the Contractor General. He indicated that these included the contracts involving members of the Mira family.  

Florencio Marin Jr: “It is a rigorous process and only those who apply are the ones who are going to be considered during the process.”

Reporter:  As the minister at the time, were you aware of what contracts were being approved?

Florencio Marin Jr: “Yes, I am aware. And like I said, it is only those who apply, right, that are considered. So I mean, if you’re a merchant house and you don’t apply, well then the tender committee, the Ministry of Finance, the Contractor General will not consider that. It is only those who have taken the time to apply and believe you me there is a lot of requirements. It is thoroughly, thoroughly rigorous. So yes, as Minister, I am aware but I also know I said they’re the ones who apply and of course the Tender Committee reviews it. They know they have the responsibility that who they provide, they have to have the confidence that they will supply.”

Marin was also asked about his connection to Kukulcan Company Limited, which supplied food to the Belize Defence Force. It was reported in July that its owners included Susan Daniels, identified as his secretary, and two other political associates. Those ties brought questions about whether political connections played a part in who received contracts. Marin said he had encouraged people in his political division to apply where opportunities were available, explaining that the tenders would be open.

Florencio Marin Jr: “When we got in, there were these complaints and I said we will open it up. So naturally I informed members of the executive that this.”

Troy Gabb, Host, The Morning Show: Your political executive. 

Florencio Marin Jr: “Right. This is an opportunity. I said, “But if you put in your name it is rigorous, it’s not something that it’s automatic.” And then I advised it to Cabinet as well. I said guys you know if any of you have people who can supply and all that you know it is there. Plus it is advertised in the newspaper but there is no secret, this tender process nothing about it is secret, it is advertised.”

Reporter: So the extent of your involvement in that was just to encourage your constituents and supporters to put in their application if they can provide the service? 

Florencio Marin Jr: “Yes. I advise them. Remember for 13 years I represented a division that was completely neglected by the previous government so I just say guys I mean there’s an opportunity here, you have to meet the requirements. You know the minister, myself, cannot give that approval I have I don’t have that authority to give contracts.”