PHILIPSBURG:--- Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina responded to a series of questions during Wednesday’s Council of Ministers press briefing, addressing concerns ranging from whistleblower protections within government to the delayed 2026 national budget and the appointment of St. Maarten’s Inspector General of Public Health.
The first line of questioning focused on allegations previously made regarding the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (VSA). Asked whether civil servants might be reluctant to come forward with complaints due to his dual role as Prime Minister and Acting Minister of VSA, Mercelina said the government remains committed to protecting employees who report concerns.
He pointed to existing reporting channels and noted that the Integrity Chamber is preparing to conduct its own investigation. He also referenced ongoing efforts to strengthen whistleblower protections and emphasized that civil servants should feel free to report misconduct without fear of retaliation.
During the exchange, the Prime Minister argued that political rhetoric has contributed to unnecessary unrest and defended the work environment within VSA, describing a recent meeting with the ministry’s management team as constructive and professional.
The briefing also featured questions regarding the detention of Dr. Danny Denway. The Prime Minister deferred to Justice Minister Natalie Tackling, who reiterated that the government does not comment on individual criminal cases and noted that decisions regarding pretrial detention are made by the judiciary rather than the executive branch.
Questions then turned to the 2026 national budget. Asked how the government intends to manage a larger budget later in the year after operating under the 2025 budget framework for several months, Mercelina explained that the budget has already been submitted to Parliament and that the government intends to move quickly once parliamentary approval is obtained.
He said routine government operations have continued despite the delay and that investment projects currently awaiting financial authorization are prepared to proceed as soon as funding becomes available.
In another exchange, the Prime Minister was asked about the appointment of Inspector General Alcala and allegations connected to his previous tenure in Curaçao. Mercelina described the claims presented during the briefing as serious and said he was not personally familiar with the details, noting that he only became Acting Minister of VSA earlier this month.
While promising to review the information, he cautioned against making unverified accusations in public forums and stressed the importance of balancing accountability with fairness toward public officials and professionals.
Throughout the question-and-answer session, Mercelina repeatedly emphasized the need for fact-based public discourse, proper investigative procedures and responsible governance, arguing that St. Maarten’s current challenges require unity and stability rather than political division.