Dear Editor,

There are individuals who are salivating at the impending departure of Justice Seymour Panton, as chairman of the Integrity Commission, a post to which he was appointed in September 2019 to lead the charge against corruption. A role he has carried out in an exemplary manner and acquitted himself impeccably, despite numerous attacks from questionable characters in an effort to thwart his mission and malign his persona.

Let them be reminded that the charges laid are not the sole doing of the honourable gentleman, but rather the work of the entire Integrity Commission, as a legally constituted body, a commission of our Parliament.

The commission found among its myriad investigations and findings that eight of our parliamentarians have questions to answer regarding enrichment. It would be an indictment on the other honourable gentlemen and lady on the Integrity Commission if some people’s wish for abandonment were to materialise. They must continue the efforts to expose those who have, and may continue to plunder public resources entrusted in their care.

If the efforts of Justice Panton and his colleagues are not to come to naught, they must pursue relentlessly and expose the allegedly guilty ones. The remaining decent members in our Parliament must also understand that it doesn’t look good on them also. The subservience they display in succumbing into silence, as opposed being open to the nation, doing what’s honourable and just right is noticed. Your employers, the people, demand much more, especially with the hefty remuneration your generosity to self now cause you to receive.

Accountability must be an integral part of any well-intentioned governance structure. And major concern must be Jamaica‘s fall on the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI). Therefore, it cannot be acceptable that, instead of strengthening any institution that seeks to address this unhealthy situation, we have those who are actively seeking to dismantle what exists.

Ralston Nunes

ralstonnunes@gmail.com