00:00We sat diligently as the Borgonians in the basement of Dr. Remy's medical practice in Colner Hall.
00:09We went through every single line of the bills.
00:16We went through the areas that were problematic, had agreement from even the PNL representatives.
00:24And then when it came time for us to signal to the parliament with one voice, you know what the PNL representatives said?
00:34They said, well, we will just take the bills as they are. Half a loaf is better than none.
00:41Which I took to mean the PNL leader in Trinidad tell them, accept the bills as they will, and they refuse to stand with the rest of us in Tobago.
00:52That is betrayal.
00:54Mr. Augustine said the PNL in 2021 tried to force the PDP at the time to accept the autonomy bills, but the bills were a poor representation of Tobago.
01:06If standing together with Mr. Huchoy Charles against a poorly drafted bill that will take away the rights of the people of Tobago is a crime, I accept guilt for that.
01:20But unapologetically so, because I am certain, Mr. Deputy Presiding Officer, standing on the side with Mr. Huchoy Charles is much more honorable than standing on the side with Keith Rowley and the PNL and the people who have forever been at the necks of the people of Tobago.
01:42Agustin said the process was nothing short of political prostitution, especially in not giving Tobago more than the 4.03% budgetary allocation over the years.
01:55A similar notion echoed by Prime Minister Kamala Pissar-Bissasa.
01:59That the worst thing to happen to Tobago since colonialism and slavery is the PNL.
02:06That's a fact.
02:09And what essentially the minority leader stood in this house and advocated for today is political prostitution.
02:17In other words, he is saying, take whatever bill the PNL bring, as flawed as they were, take them because you will get more money.
02:30And here is the reality, Mr. Deputy Presiding Officer.
02:34As it now stands, there is no requirement for any law anywhere to give Tobago more money.
02:41They said that they want to give Tobago more money, and they brought a bill, which they want to be rejected, of course.
02:48Let's be real.
02:49You do not need a bill in Parliament to give Tobago more money.
02:59And we proved it.
03:00Agustin said the people of Tobago walked away from an abusive relationship with the PNL on December 6, 2021, when the PDP won.
03:10I thank God.
03:12I thank God that in December 2021, we were finally able to break free of Stockholm Syndrome.
03:20After 21 years of constant abuse, 21 years of being beaten upon and being given a little rose ever so often, now and again, to say I love you.
03:32Thank God the Bogonians have walked away from such an abusive relationship.
03:37Agustin said he would be vindicated in the upcoming THA election.
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