Former PM Manning in Woodford square
Hours after Tuesday evening's rumour of his passing, former prime minister Patrick Manning walked through downtown Port-of Spain in the midday sunshine while people rushed to see him and express their love for him.Many of those in Woodford Square and city streets were critical of an unidentified caller to a television station who alleged that Manning had died on Tuesday.
"Look him, he is alive," and "God bless you, Mr Manning," were some of the remarks made by curious people who tried to greet him. One woman stopped him and said a prayer."Mr Manning, God is blessing you from the top of your head to the sole of your feet. Stand strong, sir, and God be with you, " she said, while holding his hands.
Wearing a red cap, a black T-shirt and a navy-blue track pants and sneakers, Manning emerged from his car shortly after 12.30 and entered Woodford Square. He was accompanied initially by former sport and youth affairs minister Gary Hunt, friend and driver Frankie Jeremiah and San Fernando East member Kanye Best.
He said he came to Port-of-Spain to buy a cream long-sleeved shirt to attend a church service later this week. He bought the van Heusen shirt at Bradford's on Henry Street. "I am still standing," he said in a brief interview with reporters at Woodford Square.
Asked to comment on the rumour, Manning said he heard about it "and I couldn't understand it. I knew nothing about it at all." He said he felt "really good" to be back in Woodford Square. Manning is recovering from a mild stroke, which he suffered on January 23, 2012, and two subsequent seizures. He has been on leave from Parliament since January last year and has been given additional leave. Asked to comment of matters of state, Manning said: "Let us don't take them on at this time. I am not for that at this time...in due course."
Manning later confirmed he had been preparing to return to Parliament in January but had to abort that plan."I was about to do that but I had a seizure and that has thrown me back," he added.He was unable to say when he will return to Parliament. "We'll see how it goes," he added.Asked if he missed Parliament, Manning said: "No, why?" He said he was "not about to go to Parliament yet."
He said he continued his physiotherapy four days a week. Asked if the recovery process was getting easier, Manning said: "No, nothing is easy." He didn't want to comment on the recent passing of former PNM vice chairman John Donaldson. Manning was satisfied with the representation San Fernando East constituents were getting during his period of illness and went to the office as often as he could. He said he was in the office on Tuesdays.
He was greeted by a Jehovah Witness who reminded Manning that she first met him in Woodford Square while he was prime minister and gave him a copy of the Awake magazine, which he accepted."We miss you," a man shouted as he passed Manning, who smiled.He greeted several people, including a blind man, young children and elderly ladies, and as he walked down Frederick Street many shoppers and store employees hugged and kissed him. A woman who said she was visiting from Canada also embraced Manning.
He was shown the latest news on the Woodford Square noticeboard, which spoke of bad governance in the country. The last line said: "When we do awake from our hypnotic state, it will be too late."While on Queen Street, Manning was greeted by Port-of-Spain mayor Louis Lee Sing, who told him: "You shut down the city, man."Manning smiled and minutes later made his way back to his car and left for San Fernando.
