WILLEMSTAD - Parliament Chair Fergino Brownbill (MFK) has formally requested that the Standing Committee on Parliamentary Procedures conduct an evaluation of the Question Hour, following criticism from PNP Member of Parliament Sheldry Osepa over the conduct of Prime Minister Gilmar “Pik” Pisas (MFK) during a recent session.

The Question Hour—along with the Interruptions procedure introduced in 2023—allows MPs to ask written questions orally and briefly interrupt one another for clarification or follow-up inquiries.

Osepa argued that the Prime Minister’s lack of preparation and knowledge during the session had undermined the purpose of the Question Hour, which is designed to promote government accountability and transparency to the people of Curaçao.

“The Question Hour is one of the most important tools Parliament has to ensure open dialogue between government and the people,” Osepa said. “When it’s not taken seriously, it loses its democratic value.”

In response, Brownbill has sent a reminder letter to the Council of Ministers and forwarded the evaluation request to Fennis “Renny” Lourens (MFK), his party colleague and chair of the Procedures Committee.

The committee is expected to review how the Question Hour sessions are conducted and whether additional measures are needed to ensure they fulfill their intended purpose of promoting effective oversight and transparency.