Aruba: Justice Minister Rudy Croes & Lawyer Hendrik Croes Given a Rap over the Knuckles

Aruban Justice Minister was given a rap across the knuckles for his handling of the situation with procurator general Theresa Croes-Fernandes Pedra. If this is how they treat their own, imagine how outsiders are dealt with?

Even though the PG has lost her case, the judge questioned the minister’s way of handling as well as that of his brother and lawyer Hendrik.  The minister has not complied with the instructions of the verdict of November 22, 2007 …

PG must continue being paid for as long as she does not resign; Theresa Croes-Fernandes Pedra (Amigoe: May 22, 2008)

ORANJESTAD – Justice-minister Rudy Croes and lawyer Hendrik Croes were given a rap over the knuckles in the lawsuit instituted by procurator general Theresa Croes-Fernandes Pedra against the minister.

Even though the PG has lost her case, the judge questioned the minister’s way of handling as well as that of his brother and lawyer Hendrik.  The minister has not complied with the instructions of the verdict of November 22, 2007 and that is the reason why the PG has decided to institute another lawsuit, requesting the Court to force the minister to follow these instructions.  This case was down for hearing in January and the judge gave verdict on February 1.  The judge referred to this in his evaluation.

The judge pointed out that the keynote of the law is that same as other bodies, the government bodies must follow the decisions of the judge.  He also said that this is the so many time that the minister of Justice does not take a position on the PG’s first request of March 15, 2007.  This does not only apply to the Justice-minister’s decision of December 7, 2007, but also that during the hearing, his lawyer was constantly bringing something else to the fore.  

He indicated that on January 6, 2007, the lawyer of the minister had brought up another law that he had ‘discovered’ and would relate to salary settlement of the PG.  The judge observed that nothing was mentioned in the minister’s decision of December 7, 2007 or in the answer on the appeal of the PG.  From this the judge draws the conclusion that the minister is not at all planning to comply with the PG’s request.  

The judge shows with this decision that the PG must continue receiving her salary for as long as she does not resign.  Croes-Fernandes Pedra indicated in the courtroom that she won’t resign as long as there is no clarity about her pension.  The judge is also of the opinion that the PG does not need to go to work.  She can stay home pending her pension scheme.