PHILIPSBURG:--- The "Lissabon" case has gripped the public's attention, with the Prosecutor's Office pushing for severe penalties against former Member of Parliament Rolando Brison and his co-accused. However, the case raises significant questions about the integrity of the prosecution's approach and the broader implications for justice in Sint Maarten.

A Case Built on Shadows?
The Prosecutor's Office has requested prison sentences ranging from 12 to 24 months for Brison and his alleged co-conspirators, as well as a five-year disqualification from public office for Brison. Additionally, they demand repayment of $52,190.35 in allegedly ill-gotten gains. While the bribery and corruption charges are serious, the prosecution's narrative seems to rely heavily on broad strokes and moral posturing rather than on concrete, irrefutable evidence.
The investigation, initiated in February 2023, was conducted under the Kingdom Cooperation Team RST and directed by the Central Team of the Attorney General's Office. The prosecution claims that Brison solicited and accepted bribes during his tenure as an MP and Chairman of Parliament, with co-suspects allegedly facilitating these transactions. Yet the details of the evidence remain murky, leaving room for skepticism about the case's robustness.

The Prosecutor's Overreach
The Prosecutor's Office has framed this case as a litmus test for the integrity of Sint Maarten's democratic institutions. They argue that corruption undermines public trust and disrupts societal stability. While this is undeniably true, the aggressive pursuit of Brison and his co-accused raises concerns about selective justice and the potential for political motivations to overshadow legal principles.
The demand for a five-year ban from public office for Brison, in particular, smacks of an attempt to make an example out of him rather than a measured response to the alleged crimes. Such punitive measures, if not backed by incontrovertible evidence, risk eroding public confidence in the judicial system rather than restoring it.

A Call for Transparency
For justice to be served, the prosecution must present a case that is as transparent as it is compelling. The public deserves to know the specifics of the alleged bribes, the evidence linking Brison and his co-accused to these transactions, and the rationale behind the proposed sentences. Without this transparency, the case risks being perceived as a witch hunt rather than a legitimate effort to uphold the rule of law.
As the court hearing continues, it is imperative that the judicial process remains fair, impartial, and free from external pressures. The stakes are high, not just for Brison and his co-accused, but for the integrity of Sint Maarten's democratic institutions. The public will be watching closely, and the Prosecutor's Office must rise to the occasion by proving its case beyond a reasonable doubt, rather than relying on rhetoric and moral grandstanding.

ORANJESTAD, ARUBA:--- The Ombudsman of Aruba, Ms. Jurima Bryson, LL.M., has published the report “The Listening Eye.” This report presents the results of an investigation conducted by the Ombudsman’s Office between August and September 2025. The official name of the investigation is “Het Luisterend Oog”, as the investigation report is published in Dutch. The main objective of the investigation was to identify institutions that fall under the National Ombudsman Ordinance.

The investigation identified 564 institutions in Aruba. A large number of these institutions are private organizations that work with children and young people, such as schools, childcare centers, and healthcare institutions.

What are the findings in this investigation?
The investigation shows that important information at several institutions is outdated or missing, including contact numbers, directors' names, and information on complaint procedures. This makes it more difficult for citizens and parents to access information or submit a complaint.

In the childcare sector, the investigation found that fewer than half of the centers contacted have a clear and functioning complaints procedure.

In addition, the National Register of childcare centers is not always up to date. For example, some centers are still listed in the register even though they are no longer operational.

Why is this important?
If institutions are difficult to reach or lack a clear complaints procedure, citizens cannot exercise their rights properly. Good accessibility and clear information are important for protecting citizens, including children.

What does the Ombudsman recommend?
The Ombudsman makes several recommendations to the government, institutions, and supervisory authorities. Among other things, it is recommended to improve transparency, update public registers, and ensure that all institutions have a clear and accessible complaints procedure. This is important to strengthen the legal protection of citizens, particularly children and young people.

The report represents a first step toward improving accessibility, transparency, and the handling of complaints within institutions in Aruba.

Next steps
The Ombudsman will monitor the institutions’ progress in addressing these recommendations. The Ombudsman will also stay in contact with the responsible ministers, the relevant institutions, and supervisors.

The full report “The Listening Eye” is available on the Ombudsman's website, www.ombudsman.aw/en/publications/.

VEENENDAAL:---  During a festive finale on March 8, 2026, the new titleholders of Miss Dutch Caribbean and Miss Dutch Caribbean Teen were crowned. The pageant is part of the national trajectory of Miss Netherlands and provides a platform for women with Caribbean roots within the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
The title Miss Dutch Caribbean 2026 was won by Sharifa Serwaa, a 25-year-old contestant from Amsterdam with roots in Curaçao and Ghana. Sharifa is a Child and Environmental Rights Advocate and also works as a professional model.
In addition, Zenarah Hodge was crowned the very first Miss Dutch Caribbean Teen 2026. Zenarah is 15 years old, born on the island of Sint Maarten, and currently lives in Groningen. She advocates against racism and discrimination and wants to inspire young people to know that they are good just the way they are.
Both winners will participate in the national trajectory leading up to the finals of Miss Nederland and Miss Nederland Teen, which will take place on June 27, 2026.
In addition to these titles, Miss Beauty of the Dutch Caribbean was crowned for the first time. The winner, Chenesis Peny, will take part in the national trajectory of Miss Beauty of the Netherlands and will have the opportunity to represent the Netherlands internationally at Miss Global.
The jury named Deshanira Castillo as 1st Runner-Up and Ezme Trinidad as 2nd Runner-Up in the Miss Dutch Caribbean category. In the Miss Dutch Caribbean Teen category, Jennecy Prokop was awarded 1st Runner-Up, and Cheymendra Angelentina was awarded 2nd Runner-Up.
Several subtitle awards were also presented. Miss Media went to Deshanira Castillo. Miss Photogenic and Miss Charity were awarded to Zenarah Hodge. Miss Naaz Luxury went to Sharifa Serwaa. Miss Inspirational Beauty was awarded to Aimee Martis. Miss Kadushi Body Care, Miss Congeniality, and Best in Catwalk were awarded to Chenesis Peny.
Miss Dutch Caribbean was founded in 2025 by Alexandra Atalita to create an official pathway within Miss Netherlands for women with roots in the Caribbean part of the Kingdom. The pageant gives participants with roots from Curaçao, Aruba, Bonaire, Sint Maarten, Saba, and Sint Eustatius, who live in the Netherlands the opportunity to showcase their culture, identity, and ambitions on a national stage.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Lion President Alvin Prescod, along with fellow members of the Sint Maarten Lions Club, presented the first two raffle tickets for the upcoming Father’s Day Car Raffle. The presentation marked the official start of the raffle campaign, which is part of the club’s ongoing efforts to raise funds for community service initiatives. The first two raffle tickets were won during the Wally Havertong Bingo Spectacular, giving the lucky winners an early chance to win the grand prize in the Father’s Day Car Raffle.

Raffle tickets are now officially on sale and can be purchased at Big D’s Photo Studio, Focus Forward Studio, the Lions Civic Center, or from any Lions Club member.

The Sint Maarten Lions Club encourages the community to support this initiative by purchasing a ticket for a chance to win a brand new 2026 Chery Tiggo 2 Pro. Tickets are only $5.00 each, and the draw will take place on June 20, 2026.