May 22, 2007
Editor AMANDALA
Dear Editor:
RE: THE OMBUDSMAN AND NATIONAL POLICY
It was generous of you to remind me of a moment of personal triumph in my life of changing fortunes, especially since it evoked a remembrance in you of a very low point in yours. However, as you have said many times, cream does rise to the top, and your personal accomplishments have impacted the lives of Belizeans in many countless, powerful ways.
As to my own saga. Mine has been a roller coaster ride: now up, now down. In 1977 I was carried aloft on the shoulders of adoring supporters. Two years later the ride plummeted when I and the UDP lost an election that should have been won, a setback that brought me to the realization that unless one is personally very wealthy or is willing to be sponsored by someone who is, he has no business in elective politics.
Having given up a career in elective politics in 1980, it is very unlikely that in 1998 I would have accepted the less glamorous office of Ombudsman if I were going to be grateful to a patron or patrons. When I was ASKED if I wanted to serve, I agreed to serve with no strings attached. My support for the 1998 election had been given with no strings attached either way.
Therefore I now categorically state that the Prime Minister or no other Minister or any person who has supported my three appointments has ever been lobbied by me. I have throughout my eight years of service kept true faith to God and country, and so it shall remain until the end of my days of service on July 8, 2008, when I will have reached the ultimate retirement age of seventy.
As to the UHS Guarantee, AMANDALA has never sought my opinion, and I have not volunteered it – nor will I do so now; for I follow the best tradition of the Office of the Ombudsman NOT TO INTERFERE IN MATTERS OF NATIONAL POLICY, which are the province of Cabinet, the Executive Branch and the Opposition. From this position I will not budge until all hell freezes over.
Respectfully,
(Signed) Paul Rodriguez
(Ombudsman)