Hochoy: Robinson died a sad man

Former Tobago House of Assembly (THA) chief secretary and Platform of Truth leader Hochoy Charles has said former president and prime minister Arthur NR Robinson died a sad man because the issue of constitutional reform for Tobago still remains to be addressed. 

“Mr Robinson wanted Tobago to get its power to fix Tobago. The conversation we had, people don’t understand. The man gone in the grave, I am very sad where that is concerned. 

“Mr Robinson has died a sad man because we still have not done this thing to give the people of Tobago the power,” Charles said. He made the remarks at a political meeting held by his party, in the village of Golden Lane, on Saturday.

Charles said Robinson’s decision to be buried in Tobago showed his nature. 

“Mr Robinson was there holding on and I am sure he heard that we started having these meetings and I know he heard we had them. We had the first meeting that went well, all the parties were there. The second meeting the Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) did not turn up.” 

Charles said all parties needed to join together to deal with the issue of constitutional reform, including the TOP, TPT and the People’s National Movement (PNM). 

He said if this is not done, no one in Tobago would be freed and the people would remain divided. 

“All of us have to speak the same language in Tobago, so that we get liberation. This is the only way. Individuals are not important in liberation struggles. In liberation struggles it is the people to be liberated. 

“We must stand together and seek our liberation. That’s what standing together means. Then the system of governance will be delivered to the people. Forget the ILP, that is a new political party coming to Tobago, they come to do the same thing like the rest. Forget them. All of  them same khaki pants, different size of pocket.”

 Charles said uniting the people of Tobago must be the tribute that Tobago pays Robinson, who was the author of the struggle for Tobago.

“That he will feel good in his grave and with his God, do that and bring it home.” 

Source:expresstrinidad

Legal Actions Against TOP's Internal Election

Leader of the Tobago Oragnisation of the People
Ashworth Jack

It was Hochoy Charles in 2010 who accused the Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) of rigging their internal elections to favour certain candidates. Now once again, mere days away from their internal election their executive has been faced with a barrage of legal pre-action letters. 

A news clipping carried by other media indicated that the TOP has been issued a pre-action  protocol  letter which calls for tomorrow’s  internal TOP elections to be stopped. 

Chairman Trevor Gardiner and secretary Gladstone Solomon of the TOP Hope/John Dial Action Group in a letter dated May 31st gave instructions to attorneys Bijili Lalla and Om Lalla to postpone the elections. 

The pre-action protocol letter stated: “We are instructed to request you to give an undertaking to postpone the election carded for Sunday 2nd June 2013, until the constitution is amended to provide for the ‘one man one vote’ system and all members are permitted to participate in the process. The procedural irregularity and illegal act of holding the election in the proposed manner is detrimental to the TOP and its credibility.” The letter also  stated: “Should you fail to accede to our request, we will have no alternative but to seek legal redress from the High Court for injunctive relief to stay the said election.”

TOP was then given 24 hours to communicate on the way forward, and copies of the letter were  also sent to political leader of the TOP Ashworth Jack, chairperson of the elections committee Cherry Ann Rollocks-Hackett and TOP party chairman Lionel Coker. 

Only recently Justice Minister and chairman of the TOP’s constitutional amendment committee Christlyn Moore, in a letter dated May 21st to the party, expressed her reservations about Sunday’s election. 

Her letter requested: “That the election of the executive carded for 2nd June be aborted.”

In addition, TOP member Anslem Richards has also threatened legal action against the party. Richards who contested the Tobago House of Assembly election for Roxborough /Delaford on January 21, was rejected as a contestant for the position of chairman by the party citing  his financial standing within the TOP.

A portion of Richards letter which was written on May 31st states:

“Failure to honour my rights of membership as guaranteed under the constitution of the TOP will result in legal proceedings being instituted.” 

Efforts by some media groups to contact Jack and Coker proved to be futile, and calls to their mobile phones were not returned.

Chief Secretary Orville London Meets with Hochoy Charles

THA Chief Secretary Orville London (right)
welcomes former chief secretary Hochoy Charles
 to his Calder Hall office on Thursday.
(January 31 2012) Photo THA Information Dept.

THA Chief Secretary Orville London and former chief secretary Hochoy Charles met for almost an hour yesterday (Thursday 31st January 2013) to discuss Tobago people's business in the wake of the outcome of the January 21 THA election.

The two agreed that priority number one should be the issue of self government for Tobago and that all of Tobago should collaborate and cooperate in dealing with this matter. They further agreed that the Assembly get the power of law-making and executive power without the interference of the Cabinet under Section 75 of the Constitution.

In an interview following their 50-minute historic meeting at the Calder Hall Administrative Complex, Scarborough Charles said: "We are going to ensure that these things happen to us and that these things are delivered to us in the shortest possible time."

Charles who is leader of The Platform of Truth (TPT) said they also agreed on a common effort, a common plan and a common strategy in order to keep these issues on the front burner and to bring them to the table and to the fore so that they can be discussed. He said they would not disclose their strategy at this time.

He added that self government was passed for Tobago more than 35 years ago and didn't think that "we should wait for the 40 years like the people of Israel waited in the wilderness before we can get it".

The meeting followed a similar one between London and Dr Vanus James, of the Movement for Democracy and Development (MDD) last Saturday. London will also meet with the Tobago Chapter of the T&T Chamber of Industry and Commerce next Tuesday to be followed by other organisations during the month.

London admitted that Charles and himself have been on different sides of the political fence for many years but one of the things they had in common was the major priority of the interest of the people of Tobago. He added that basically the results of the election meant that there was no minority presence in the Tobago House of Assembly. He said this doesn't mean that Tobago politics should revolve around one party and contrary to what people might think it presented an insurmountable challenge. He added that it presented an opportunity to introduce into Tobago true democracy between elections. "Democracy is not just about election results, democracy is about what happens between elections and therefore we felt we had to be the catalyst involving as many individuals, organisations and communities in the process," he said.

London disclosed that that he would be taking a motion to the first sitting of the House of Assembly next Thursday to treat with the strategies and vision for treating with Tobago people's business during this very unique period of challenges and opportunities for Tobago.

The Tobago Chief Secretary described the meeting as interesting and productive, adding that Charles was able to bring his experience to the table and will help him to fine tune his proposals and even make them more effective. "I want to thank him for that," London said.

London said Charles has committed to be part of the process which would give Tobagonians the assurance that "we are going to work assiduously to ensure that what Tobago people want and deserve with respect to internal self government is what they are going to get".

He said all the leaders with the exception of one would have said that the views of the people of Tobago must be respected and they must form the basis of any kind of agreement between Tobago and Trinidad, between the Assembly and the Central Government and of course based on what should happen in Parliament.

Reproduced from THA site

Hochoy offers to seek UN help for Tobago

Hochoy Charles Leader of the TPT

Leader of The Platform for Truth Hochoy Charles says he is willing to assist the executive of the Tobago House of Assembly for the future development of the island free of charge. Shortly after the inauguration of the new executive council last Thursday, when the position of minority leader was declared vacant by President George Maxwell Richards, Chief Secretary Orville London said he would be initiating talks with  Charles, a former chief secretary, and economist Vanus James.


However, speaking on a television show in Tobago on Tuesday morning, Charles said he wanted to ensure that Tobago was liberated and empowered, hence the reason the TPT entered the THA election. He said any team that got into the house should seek power from the Parliament and if it is not granted they should seek redress with the United Nations, and he was willing to the assist the current THA in that respect.

“I am in Tobago to make sure that Tobago is liberated and empowered, that’s my only interest in Tobago,” he said. “The purpose was to go to the Government with your team in order to get your power, failing which you can take the matter to the UN so that it could have been able to be settled. “That’s the issue that confronts Tobago and confronts Mr London and I am prepared to offer him the best advice possible and I say gratis, free,” he said.

On the issue of there being no minority leader in the THA after the PNM won all 12 seats at the polls, Charles said there was no need for the post until there was internal self-government and Tobago had the ability to make its own laws “What are you going to oppose when the assembly gets its power to make laws and you have to have bills?” he said.

“There is where you need a government and a minority...That is what the election should have been about, that Tobago should get its power to control Tobago, including our space. “You know what self-government means? Your power, and it’s only when you know what power they plan to give you, you will know whether you have self-government or not, not just go bandying about talking about self-government,” Charles said.

Reproduced from Trinidad guardian

London: Jack Was Cheating

Ashworth Jack at the THA Debate 2013

The conversation of the controversial issue surrounding Ashworth Jack's possession of "Notes" for the historic political debate in the THA elections 2013 continues to surface at political campaigns. yesterday at the massive meeting in Roxborough Orville London, Leader of  the PNM Tobago Council and member for Scarborough/Calder accused Jack of being a cheater. 

London stated that the rules were that none of the leaders would walk with Notes. However, he was taken aback at how Ashworth Jack was able to quote Central Statistical Data off his head. "All schoolchildren understand, you come to exam, you cannot carry notes into exam, but they don't care," he said. He continued saying that Hochoy, knowing that kind of man Ashworth to be, looked around his head and saw the green paper on  Ashworth Jack's desk. Stating that for someone who is aspiring for the highest office, he came to the Debate and expected to cheat his way through. 

This morning Hochoy Charles corroborated London's account of the incident on a program on 91.9 FM. Stating that Ashworth Jack indeed had "green paper" on his desk which he eventually put away in his jacket pocket after the call was made for no notes. 

Ashworth was giving names at the PNM campaign as Thief Secretary and Cheat Secretary. 

TPT Candidates Revealed for THA Elections 2013

The Platform of Truth (TPT)
Headed by Hochoy Charles

Nomination day has passed and the long awaited list of candidates for The Platform of Truth has been revealed. The Platform of Truth led by its leader Hochoy Charles  would be contesting all twelve (12) seats in the up coming THA Elections on the 21st of January 2013. Most of the names submitted seems unfamiliar, and as such the party may be described as the underdog in this political battle. As such, Tobagodaily would  monitor its campaign to bring more details and news coming out of their camp.  

Hochoy Charles, Leader of The Platform of Truth

The TPT's slate of candidates  that  would be vying for their various seat on the 21st of January 2013 are as followers:-  

1. Bacolet / Mt. St. George Mrs. Juliana Henry-King
2. Goodwood / Belle Garden West Ms. Petrina Shangie
3. Bethel / Mt. Irvine Mr. Haynes Cowie-Clarke
4. Black Rock/ Whim/ Spring Garden Mr. Curtis Douglas
5. Buccoo / Mt. Pleasant Mr. Ricardo Phillip
6. Cannan /Bon Accord Mr. Barry Nelson
7. Lambeau / Signal Hill Mr. David Fraser
8. Parlatuvier/ L’Anse Fourmi/ Speyside Mr. Samuel Mapp
9. Plymouth / Golden Lane Mr. Hochoy Charles
10. Providence/Mason Hall/Moriah Mr. Ernest Belfon
11. Belle Garden East/Roxborough/Delaford Mr. Senya Martin
12. Scarborough / Calder Hall Mr. Andre Phillips

Hints of Head on Collision between Jack and Orville.

Ashworth Jack, Leader of the
Tobago Organisation of the People

As the major parties go through their final preparations in the selection of candidates for the Tobago House of Assembly's election, there is word that the incumbent chief secretary Orville London may have to face off with Ashworth Jack, leader of the opposition. Jack made it clear that London is running scared following the talks around that he is running for the Scarborough/Calder Hall district in the Tobago House of Assembly (THA) election on January 21."There is talk that I am running in the Chief Secretary's seat … and that is his biggest fear as political leader," the Tobago Organisation of the People (TOP) leader said. 

Meanwhile London seemed not to be disturb by this rumor and had this to say "Let him come,". London further added "Anybody has the choice to run in which ever seat he wants, and if he is that way inclined I have no problem with that." He admitted that while the  TOP would had made a good showing winning four seats in last election, the momentum might have shifted as the  dynamics of 2010 elections were different.

Jack who currently represents the Providence/Mason Hall/Moriah district, also got a heads up that he might have to face former comrades such as former TOP Assemblyman Dr Hughvon des Vignes, or political stalwart Hochoy Charles. However, Jack laughed off this possibility. when pressed about being in "deep waters" with other political parties and not just PNM, jack commented saying "They could all come". He said: "Hughvon could come; Hochoy could come, I am not worried. I don't know why anybody would think that I have anything to fear. Just look at the figures in the last election and you will see that I got the highest figures."

It may seem that if any of these rumors are true Tobagonians are in for a political treat and heated battle in the up coming elections January 21 2013. 

The Platform of Truth Gaining Momentum Ahead of the THA Election 2013

Hochoy Charles, Leader of The Platform of  Truth

It is quite early to make any pronouncement as to which political party would be victorious in the THA's  election come January 21 2013. However, it appears that the Hochoy led Platform of Truth (TPT) is gaining momentum at an accelerated rate. In a paid political hour on the 91.9 fm frequency today it was quite surprising that Hochoy received overwhelming support from callers to the program ahead of THA election. Even professed Trinidadians living in Tobago gave him resounding applauds and adulation.   

Hochoy is putting forth a Tobago party for the improvement of Tobago, and is advocating that his Tobago based party would empower Tobagonians and transform Tobago into a first world status. 

Hochoy stated that the PNM and TOP are not Tobago based and are not in the interest of Tobago as they are both affiliated with Trinidad lead parties. Hence he said that Tobago has no choice but to vote for the TPT.

He gave some statistics that the TPT could have won the 2009 THA elections without splitting votes as the percentage of non voters for that given year would have allowed them to win 11 of the 12 seats in the THA elections. He also was concerned about the number of electorates put forward by the EBC for this round of election. He said he has publicly called for information about the number of Trinidadians registering to vote in Tobago. Where they would have come from in Trinidad and to which area they would have registered to vote in Tobago. This he said should be dis-aggregated on a month to month basis from October 2011. 

The position by Hochoy is that the people of Tobago must not settle for governance under these Trinidad led parties, but rather accept that there is an alternative which was developed by Tobago people for Tobagonians,The Platform of Truth. 

Hochoy would be on the 91.9 fm frequency twice a week until the elections, every Tuesday and Thursday. 

Tobago Needs a Choice: It Feels Like De Ja Vu All over Again.

Reminiscent of the reality of 2000

Former Chief Secretary, Hochoy Charles, and

Current Chief Secretary, Orville London

It feels like de ja vu all over again. 2001 former Chief Secretary Hochoy Charles was nailed to the political cross at the Tobago House of Assembly's (THA) election by a revived PNM. Even the UNC, led by a vicious Panday took a throw of the spare that seemingly wounded the NAR. The Ring Bang, Ring Bang, ADDA ADDA Ring Bang scandal, brought to its knees a mighty party that ruled Tobago for almost twenty (20) years. Today, it might be more than ideal to concur with the adage of ‘what goes around comes around’. London, the individual who broke the ADDA scandal and the person who ensured that the perception and the evidence of such stayed alive in the public mind, has now become the emphasis of a very similar scandal.

For over 10 years, Tobago’s PNM mantra has been “Protecting Tobago’s Heritage”.  And even as the lessons of over 10 years have not been learnt, and on the heels of an Executive action, which Tobagonians doesn't believe would protect our heritage, the PNM is facing the same axe that slaughtered the NAR for yet again another financial adventure. The MILSHIV project have been the public conversation in Tobago lately, and with unsatisfactory and hifalutin explanations, the THA seems to be impotent in articulating financially the immediate derived benefits of such an arrangement. The purchased of 3 acres of land for 12 million dollars, the lease to a synthetic company at 10 dollars for 199 years, and rental of a building at $15.61 per square foot per month over a 20 year period for a building totally 83000 sq. ft. seems to be a sour taste in the mouth and a bit hard for Tobagonians to digest as something of sound financial judgement. The ramifications of which would be discussed in a subsequent article.

The MILSHIV project, might be the final nail in the wooden cedar coffin of the PNM, draped and compounded with numerous criticisms of mismanagement and excessive delays in the hospital project, the library, the bus terminus, port and airport expansion, the THA campus, cultural complex, a growing, expanded tertiary educations sector, a growing and on-going agro/manufacturing sector, and the list goes on.

To see Tobagonians were blinded by the glitz and glitters promised by their “saviour” PNM, none of which have materialized over the past 10 years and which I must hasten to say would not materialized before elections or soon thereafter.  Tobago inhabitants still awaits the promise of Housing for all and Millionaires for Tobagonians as promised by the PNM in 2000. What has now become a chorus of rhetoric, verbalized at deafening decibels can only be described as preposterous.  Petty allegations levied at Central Government, blames of disrespect and attempts to further perpetuate the divide of Tobago’s population by race, ethnicity and party politics has become the order of the day.

But who suffers? The People of Tobago Suffers. Tobagonians are stuck between a rock and a hard place. Tobagonians are left without a “real” choice. Tobagonians must now accept hogwash from these mindless puppets who formulate themselves into something resembling parties but are really Gangs of criminals, dressed in suits, who should be locked away for a life time.  There is no doubt that the PNM is bereft of Vision just as their accused; the NAR of 2000.  The ideas purported by those in power and those vying to attain power, continues to remind us all of how incapable, unqualified and powerless these mindless puppets are in moving Tobago forward.

The song Haiti I’m sorry comes to mind, and so let me change it and say Tobago I’m sorry. Yes, I feel sorry for Tobago and its inhabitants. As a young Tobagonian, I somehow have come to the resolve that I should accept the fate that Tobago would not realize its true potential perhaps in my lifetime, given that we continue to recycle our political garbage. Politicians that we have discarded as defected and useless reappear in our honourable house as new and improve, only to repeat the said mistakes of the old. Tobagonians are indeed a disadvantage people. Not only are we disadvantage constitutionally, but we are also disadvantage in the choices we have in these recycled, second-hand, reprocessed, balls-less politicians. I urge Tobagonians to consider carefully your options.  We are indeed tossed between a rock and a hard place and sadly we as a people must now choose between the lesser of two evils. At this epoch, let me contend that Evil is Evil, I cannot choose the Lesser of or Greater of any Evil.

Time for Tobago to have a “Real Choice”. 

HOCHOY CHARLES WANTS A TOBAGO PRESIDENT

Hochoy Charles, Former Chief Secretary of THA

The political group Platform of Truth, led by former chief Secretary of Tobago House of Assembly Hochoy Charles is now calling for a Tobago Parliament to be headed by a President. 

A document signed by the General Secretary Victoria Brathwiate indicated that  "The Tobago parliament will have the power to make and pass laws for the peace, order and good government of Tobago."

Futher, the Platform of Truth is also proposing a 'Peoples House". This House should consist of 12 elected representatives, two youth representatives from the teaching service, medical, and nursing, security, business, labor, fisher folk, farmers, taxi, community and NGO representatives. 

According to the Charles led party, the 'People's House' should oversee the work of the executive council and also shape and enact laws in relation to Tobago as defined by the Constitution. Moreover, the Platform of Truth believes that "The process used for preparing and publishing for public comments on the Green Paper was illegal, as they believe, it was contrary to the 1996 THA Act.

The Party is adamant that "Any serious discussion about Tobago must start from the one basic fact the people of Tobago are the owners of Tobago and they must know the physical boundaries of the property they own. As the owners of Tobago and as an island people we have the right to self determination or self governance as stated in the United Nations Charter, Article 73."