PNP criticises JLP’s selection of Dalrymple-Philibert for Trelawny Southern by-election

The Opposition People's National Party (PNP) is expressing concern over the decision of the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) to have Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert as its candidate for the Trelawny Southern by-election amid integrity issues.

Dalrymple-Philibert resigned as the constituency's Member of Parliament and Speaker of the House of Representatives last September after facing eight criminal charges for making a false statement in her statutory declarations to the Integrity Commission.

Dalrymple-Philibert had omitted a Mercedes-Benz motor vehicle from her filings between 2015 and 2021.

She stated that the omission of the vehicle was a genuine oversight “on my part”. The controversial use of a 20 per cent duty concession to acquire the Benz was also in contention.

Reacting the news, which was announced by Prime Minister Andrew Holness yesterday, the PNP is arguing that having Dalrymple-Philibert as a candidate is highly contemptuous of Jamaica's judicial system.

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“It also signals a disturbing disregard for accountability,” said the party.

“This troubling trend was also evident with the nomination of Kim Brown Lawrence for the local government elections, even as she remains charged in a serious fraud and corruption case involving the Ministry of Education and the Caribbean Maritime University.”

The PNP says Jamaicans deserve leaders who uphold the highest standards of transparency and respect the rule of law.

“Where do we, as a nation, draw the line?”

The PNP says the Government must prioritise integrity and act in a manner that truly reflects its duty to the people and democratic values.