By Clint Chan Tack Saturday, August 18 2012

FORMER Prime Minister Patrick Manning yesterday celebrated his 66th birthday. Manning also yesterday sought, and was granted additional leave from sittings of the House of Representatives from July 25 to October 24. Contacted yesterday at their San Fernando home, Manning’s wife, Hazel, said the San Fernando East MP would be spending his birthday “very, very quiet” with his family. She said Manning’s recuperation from the stroke which he suffered on January 23 last, was going very well. On Manning’s Facebook page, several persons posted birthday greetings to him and wishes for a speedy recovery.

At the start of yesterday’s sitting of the House, Speaker Wade Mark said he received correspondence from Manning asking to be excused from sittings of the House from July 25 to October 24 “due to continued illness.” Under Standing Order 84, an MP must get the leave of the Speaker not to attend a sitting of Parliament, or else face sanctions such as the possible vacating of their seat.

Under the Constitution, elected MPs are allowed to miss a maximum of six sittings of the House without permission. Shortly after Manning fell ill in January, Mark granted him leave from a sitting of the House on January 27. On February 3, Mark granted Manning leave for a period of 90 days. On April 25, Manning was granted leave again from the House from that date until July 24. On February 7, Manning was flown to the Walter Reed Hospital in Maryland for medical treatment. He returned home on July 31. When Attorney General Anand Ramlogan opened debate on the Miscellaneous Provisions (Financial Intelligence Unit of Trinidad and Tobago and Anti-Terrorism) Bill, 2012, he said, “I want to wish the former Prime Minister Mr Patrick Manning a happy birthday today.”

When he concluded debate on the bill, Ramlogan criticised the Opposition People’s National Movement (PNM) for not acknowledging that yesterday was Manning’s birthday. “ They do not have any dignity to say happy birthday to their past political leader,” said Ramlogan. PNM Laventille East/Morvant MP, Donna Cox, rebuffed Ramlogan, countering: “ He (Manning) doesn’t want no deceitful happy birthday.” Cox also wished Manning a happy birthday. Cox is the PNM’s lady vice-chairman. Opposition Leader and PNM political leader Dr Keith Rowley did not attend yesterday’s sitting of the House.

Mark also granted leave to Justice Minister and St Joseph MP Herbert Volney from yesterday’s sitting of the House. Volney is currently in Florida on vacation. Legal Affairs Minister Prakash Ramadhar is currently acting for him.