Privately, who knows what their thoughts were.
But yesterday prior to Parliament, MPs from both the PNM Government and Opposition UNC sides were open in sharing their thoughts on a former occupant who had walked those halls with some of them and more than any of them–former Prime Minister Patrick Manning.
"He's in my prayers," said PNM deputy leader Marlene McDonald, who said she'd been following the situation with her brother, a doctor.
Opposition leader Kamla Persad-Bissessar, Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi, Opposition MP Dr Tim Gopeesingh, PNM San Fernando East MP Randal Mitchell (Manning's successor in the constituency), all concerned, wishing him well. Mitchell confirmed the constituency's shock at yesterday's revelation that the former PM, 69, had acute myeloid leukemia, a rare, very aggressive blood cancer involving bone marrow and red and white blood cell issues.
A family spokesman said yesterday the matter was of deeper concern after he was warded at San Fernando General Hospital on Monday night following removal of a wisdom tooth last week Friday. The fever which followed the latter condition became a lung infection, currently being treated with antibiotics, they added. Significantly, the situation on Thursday revealed the AML, of which fever and certain gum issues are symptoms, according to Wikipedia.
Chemotherapy is the first line of treatment. Adult AML was described as especially rare in Latin America and Asia. Wikipedia cites the respective situations regarding AML patients 60 and over. Whether Manning is taken overseas for treatment is up to him. Relatives, dismissing myriad speculation, said he wasn't weak and is his usual self even when ill, "...joking and talking..."
When yesterday's session got going, it was Manning's successor in the spotlight, Prime Minister Keith Rowley whose statement on the Colman Commission of Enquiry report into Clico and the Hindu Credit Union will set the stage for the coming period of action both on the report and on Clico. While Rowley's summary may serve to make political hay for the ruling PNM, Clico collapse began before the PP, under the PNM. Hence Rowley's declaration on Thursday that Government wasn't backing anyone in the Clico race against sanctions.
The ten-month-old administration has learned the hard way who to "back" or not. The March discontinuation by the government-appointed board of Petrotrin of the PP administration's case against former Petrotrin chairman Malcolm Jones concerning the Gas to Liquids (WGTL) project, opened the Government to accusations of trying to protect Jones.
The situation was, however, reinforced by disclosures in the Opposition's no-confidence debate last Friday on the project. That this had hit a PNM nerve was evidenced by subsequent highlighting–newswise–that Jones had resigned. Even though that occurred since March.
Rowley on Thursday acknowledged the resignation may be bigger news now due to the debate. The item confirmed the distance Government has put between itself and Jones, notwithstanding Rowley's praises of him. Rowley also placed Jones even further away by describing him as a "bosom buddy" of Manning. And it was reinforced by his admission that WGTL was a failure.
Nor has the PM protected his three National Security Ministers on "losing the war" regarding criminals–to the point that his criticism hasn't helped his administration's profile on the problem. He appeared to cover for one–Foreign Affairs' Dennis Moses, who's also in Security. This, after recent criticism from PNM stalwart Selwyn Cudjoe who said Moses needed to see to Foreign Affairs rather than split time with National Security. Rowley on Thursday detailed Foreign Affairs development, ostensibly explaining Moses' engagements.
Political self-preservation may also have been on the agenda at Thursday's meeting with state board chairmen whom Rowley instructed to pay legitimate bills. A Government source said not only are some contractors going out of business due to bankruptcy, Government can ill-afford the repercussions of that situation with local government polls three months away. Also, since the fiscal year ends in three months, payments could come from current funds since 2017 allocations are ahead, they added. Issues with some excessively hands-on chairmen was also confirmed by Rowley's point that they were not executive chairmen.
How they handle instructions remains to unfold. And just as importantly, also to unfold is his predecessor's AML battle.