WILLEMSTAD – Minister Charles Cooper has responded sharply to a recent report by the Algemene Rekenkamer Curaçao (ARC) and to calls by MAN-PIN for an ex officio investigation into the Stichting Overheidsaccountantsbureau (SOAB). In a brief statement, Cooper accused the Audit Chamber of undermining its own credibility by publishing what he described as careless and inaccurate reports.
“The General Audit Chamber is undermining itself. First find out and investigate properly before writing reports full of nonsense,” Cooper said. He announced that the government will respond substantively to the ARC report in January 2026. “In January 2026 we will present our position on your report. To be continued.”
Motion rejected
During the debate on the 2026 national budget, MAN-PIN submitted a motion calling for an investigation by the Audit Chamber into how so-called “funds placed under management” and expenditures on the hiring of personnel at SOAB were spent between 2022 and 2025.
That motion was rejected by twelve members of the Curaçao Parliament. Among other things, it requested an examination of documents, contracts, invoices, work plans and relevant correspondence, as well as an assessment of the legality, effectiveness and efficiency of the expenditures.
In addition to the motion, a request was submitted for a public parliamentary meeting on the functioning and financing of SOAB. This request was signed by MAN-PIN and PAR faction leader Quincy Girigorie of the PAR. So far, the meeting has not yet been scheduled by the chair of Parliament.
Continued concerns
According to MAN-PIN, the ARC’s report on the 2023 annual accounts also raises serious concerns. The report states that SOAB’s role has shifted over time and that the organization is, in practice, carrying out activities more in line with an executive agency or employment bureau.
As no parliamentary majority supported a formal motion, MAN-PIN has now opted to directly request the Audit Chamber to initiate an investigation on its own initiative.