Panton Links Swaso Case to Oversight Concerns

Leader of the Opposition Tracy Taegar-Panton says Belize's oversight institutions must be allowed to function independently and effectively, warning that public trust in those institutions is eroding amid growing concerns about accountability and transparency in government.

Panton made the remarks Tuesday when asked to comment on a constitutional claim filed by former Ombudsman Major Gilbert Swaso against the Government of Belize.

"The truth of the matter is the oversight mechanism in this country needs to be working optimally so we can preserve our public institutions so that our citizens can have the rights to be heard on issues that affect their daily lives," Panton said during a United Democratic Party press conference.

Her comments come days after Swaso launched legal proceedings alleging that the non-renewal of his appointment and actions taken against him undermined the constitutional independence of the Ombudsman's Office.

According to court filings, Swaso contends that he faced retaliation after issuing a Freedom of Information ruling in favor of public-interest litigant Jerry Enriquez, who sought records relating to legal fees paid by government to private attorneys engaged in the redistricting litigation. Swaso ruled that the information should be disclosed.

The Attorney General's Ministry subsequently challenged that ruling before the Court of Appeal, where the matter remains pending.

In his constitutional claim, Swaso alleges that following the FOIA ruling and reports on another matter, concerns were raised about his decision during a meeting with Minister of Public Service, Constitutional and Political Reform Henry Charles Usher in December 2025. He further alleges that he was informed two days later that his appointment would not be renewed when his term expired at the end of that month.

The former Ombudsman argues that the decision amounted to unlawful interference with an independent constitutional office and seeks declarations from the court regarding the constitutional protections afforded to the office.

Without commenting directly on the merits of the case, Panton said Belize's oversight bodies must be permitted to operate autonomously and within the legal frameworks governing them.

"The trust and confidence that Belizeans have in our public institutions are fading, and fading quickly, because the public institutions are not working in the interest of the people," she said.

Panton identified the Ombudsman's Office, the Office of the Contractor General, the Integrity Commission, the Joint Public Accounts Committee and the Office of the Auditor General as institutions that play a critical role in ensuring accountability.

According to the Opposition Leader, those bodies must be able to function independently so that citizens can directly access information and seek redress through established channels rather than relying on political intervention.

"These oversight mechanisms ... must be able to function with some autonomy, must be able to function within the confines of the law that governs that office, so that the people of this country can have direct access and be able to ask the questions," she said.

The constitutional challenge also emerges against the backdrop of a prolonged vacancy in the Ombudsman's Office. Swaso's term expired at the end of December 2025 and, at the time the lawsuit was filed, the position had remained vacant for more than 160 days.

The vacancy has affected the operation of an office that serves as an independent avenue for investigating complaints involving government departments and public authorities, including disputes arising under the Freedom of Information Act.

Swaso's claim also raises issues concerning compensation during his tenure and challenges the legality and constitutional implications of decisions made in relation to his office.