WILLEMSTAD - The MAN-PIN faction is sharply criticizing the continued absence of Member of Parliament and former minister Javier Silvania, who has not attended a single parliamentary meeting since being sworn in on October 22. According to MP Giselle Mc William, Silvania’s disappearance from the political stage is “not acceptable and essentially a slap in the face of the people of Curaçao.”
Silvania resigned on October 15 as Minister of Finance and Minister of Health, Environment and Nature. One week later he was sworn in as an MP, succeeding Tyron Boekhoudt. Immediately after taking his oath, Silvania announced that he would “stay more in the background for the time being” and support his parliamentary colleagues behind the scenes.
However, Mc William says he has been completely absent since assuming his seat. He did not attend any parliamentary meetings, nor was he present at events and work visits involving MFK colleagues and Prime Minister Gilmar Pisas, including a recent mission to Suriname.
No Formal Attendance Rules, but a Clear Public Responsibility
While the Parliament of Curaçao does not have formal attendance requirements, Mc William emphasized that Silvania’s repeated absences “do not align with the role and responsibility of an elected representative.” She noted that absenteeism has occurred before, “but never at this scale and never with such political implications.”
Opposition parties have also pointed out that absent MPs continue to receive full salary and allowances. In Silvania’s case, this amounts to approximately 14,000 guilders per month.
Uncertainty Within MFK About Silvania’s Whereabouts
Even within his own party, MFK, there appears to be confusion about Silvania’s status. Party board members, ministers, MPs, and the Speaker of Parliament reportedly do not know where he is or how long he will be away. Officially, MFK says he is “on vacation,” but this has not been confirmed.
Silvania himself has remained silent. His last public communication was a Facebook post on October 23, written in Papiamentu, stating that he would continue his work as an MP. Since then, he has not responded to calls or messages.
Political Tensions Behind the Scenes
Questions remain about the circumstances of his resignation as minister. Silvania faced public and internal pressure due to disputes involving tax receiver Alfonso Trona and his loss of communication authority over the Curaçao Gaming Authority.
In the weeks before his resignation, internal tensions within MFK intensified. According to party sources, Silvania was promised a parliamentary seat as part of an internal agreement tied to his departure from the cabinet.
Call for a Public Debate in Parliament
Mc William said Parliament must now seek clarity. MAN-PIN is calling for a public debate on whether an MP who is structurally absent can still fulfill his mandate.
“The people deserve transparency. And they deserve the presence of their elected representatives,” Mc William stated.
Silvania has not yet responded to the criticism.