KINGSTON, Jamaica — Opposition Leader Dr Peter Philips is urging Jamaicans to beware of Prime Minister Andrew Holness’ promises come next week, when he makes his contribution to the 2019/2020 Budget Debate.

Phillips, who was making his contribution to the Budget Debate in the House of representatives this afternoon, said he is notifying the country based on last Thursday’s statement from Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Dr Nigel Clarke that Holness would be coming with a “bag of goodies” for the nation.

“These goodies, no doubt, are intended to influence the outcome of elections. Let me remind the Jamaican people that the prime minister’s record of keeping promises is not a good one. Much has been promised but not delivered,” Phillips said.

He argued that it is well documented that some 139 promises made by the prime minister in the last General Election have not been kept.

Among the unfulfilled promises Phillips noted are the establishment 30 police posts in crime “hot spot” areas within his first year in office; the promise that that every minister will be given a job description letter with clear performance targets; and the promise that Jamaicans were to get $18,000 a month in their pockets.

Phillips’ contribution follows that of Opposition Spokesman on Finance Mark Golding, who continued his assault on the Government’s $14-billion tax giveback package, describing it as the most regressive tax system in Jamaica in his living memory. Holness is expected to make his contribution next Tuesday.