Manning denies Juliana Pena hiding from police

Former prime minister Patrick Manning doesn't think his his spiritual advisor Reverend Juliana Pena is hiding and has suggested that the government's talk about that is a diversion.

Speaking with reporters at his San Fernando east constituency office Thursday Manning said he cannot believe that all the police and special agencies in Trinidad and Tobago cannot find a person who "is not even hiding from them".

He said, “If you believe that, you might as well believe in the midnight robber, or in witches.”

However when reporters asked Manning about the whereabouts of his spiritual adviser he stated that the media conference "was not called for that issue" and suggested that reporters direct such questions to Rev Pena.

Reporters also asked Manning about an audit that revealed that the University of T&T (UTT) spent $14 million to lease and repair a guest house where Pena lived from December 2007 to October 2008.

“I am sure that is not true but I cannot speak for the UTT. I will let UTT speak for itself," he said.

The issue of the expenses paid by the UTT was raised in Parliament Wednesday by Attorney Anand Ramlogan. 

Manning did not respond in the House and told reporters it is his prerogative to respond "wherever I wish." He said, "I chose to do it outside, in the San Fernando office, because that is my preference.”

Pena left the country last year stating that she would never return. Police are seeking her assistance in relation to their investigation into the construction of a multi-million dollar church at the Heights of Guanapo.

Read the story: T&T police seeking Interpol help to find Calder Hart and Rev. Juliana Pena

UDeCOTT and a Chinese construction company were involved in the project that was allegedly approved by Manning.

The former PM has admitted knowledge of the church but has denied that any state funds went into its construction. The site has now been abandoned.