MONROVIA – Senator Augustine Chea of Sinoe County has openly criticized President Joseph Boakai’s recent decision to bypass Speaker J. Fonati Koffa in matters related to the submission of the 2025 national budget, labeling the move as a constitutional misstep. The budget presentation, initially scheduled for November 8, 2024, was postponed through a communication addressed to Mildred Siryon, Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives, rather than the Speaker himself.
In his statement on Sunday, November 10, 2024, titled, “Why was the budget not submitted to the Speaker?” Senator Chea expressed concern that this action echoes similar constitutional violations that occurred during Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf’s administration, wherein House Speakers were bypassed or faced questionable removals. “Not submitting the budget to Speaker Koffa, and further disregarding the Speaker’s constitutional authority by writing the Chief Clerk, has drawn the Presidency directly into the conflict,” Chea stated, adding that the move intensifies the existing political dispute surrounding Speaker Koffa’s position.
The Senator questioned whether President Boakai was referencing or possibly misinterpreting Chamber Justice Gbeisay’s recent ruling on a petition filed by Speaker Koffa. Koffa’s petition, a writ of prohibition against the so-called “majority bloc” that aims to unseat him, was denied. Chea clarified that the denial did not constitute a victory for the “majority bloc,” nor did it invalidate Koffa’s legitimate authority as Speaker.
Senator Chea explained that Justice Gbeisay’s refusal to grant the writ was grounded in the political question doctrine, a constitutional principle designed to maintain the separation of powers. By declining to rule on the matter, Justice Gbeisay effectively acknowledged that the issue was political, not judicial, and therefore outside the Supreme Court’s purview. “The Justice’s refusal to grant the writ was simply to tell the parties that this is a political matter; don’t get the court involved; go and settle it by yourselves,” he noted, emphasizing that the conflict should be resolved within the legislative branch.
Senator Chea pointed to the constitutional guidelines concerning the Speaker’s authority, particularly Article 49, which states that the Speaker is elected to preside over the House of Representatives. According to Chea, Speaker Koffa remains the rightful leader until removed by a two-thirds majority vote—a mandate set by the constitution. The Senator argued that Koffa’s position is still legitimate and that only he can legally convene and preside over House sessions. “The ‘majority bloc’ has no legal authority to hold sessions and, therefore, cannot compel others to attend or to receive and act upon legislative instruments,” Chea asserted, stating that the anti-Koffa bloc lacks the legal authority to conduct business or exercise oversight.
With regard to the President’s role in this situation, Senator Chea stated that President Boakai should have adhered to established constitutional procedure by addressing the budget submission directly to Speaker Koffa, who retains his title and authority. “The President should submit the budget to the Speaker as required by law, to be acted upon when the Speaker has a quorum to hold sessions,” he concluded, underscoring that executive and judicial branches should continue to work solely with Speaker Koffa until due process is observed.
