THE Star team for the internal election of the United National Congress (UNC) lunches its campaign at the Couva South Multi-purpose Hall from 7pm on Monday.
Endorsed by political leader of the UNC Kamla Persad-Bissessar, the team boasts of members with decades of experience and expertise to address the collapse of the nation’s key sectors in and out of Parliament.
A release on Sunday stated, “This includes crime fighting and national security,local government, business, law, public policy, social work, finance, energy, youth development, education, labour, among other fields.”
It stated that each member of the Star Team has over ten years of loyal, dedicated service to the United National Congress.
The release added, “They have worked in the trenches to stabilize, grow, protect, and enhance our great party. Some members of the Star Team were present in the muddy Aranzguez Savannah when the party was founded in 1988.
“Others have dedicated their careers to growing the party at the Local Government level. Some have worked to ensure the party has grown beyond its base, expanding in the east-west corridor, while other members have grown the party at the professional national level.
“The Star Team is a testament to UNC’s enduring values. It combines decades of service and invaluable experience with youthful innovation, creating modern policies that uphold our party’s principles.
“Each member of the Star Team has remained a loyal servant to our members, even in the toughest of times, demonstrating their unwavering commitment to our party’s founding principles.”
See bios of all 17 candidates below.
Deputy Political Leaders:
Senator Jearlean John
● Jearlean John has a track record of entrepreneurial and management excellence for over 25 years.
● Former UNC Minister of Transport, Tourism, and Tobago Affairs. Former Managing Director of HDC, Chairman of UDECOTT & CEO of the Pizza Boys Group.
● Jearlean John is a Chartered Accountant, Certified Professional Accountant, and Certified Management,
Accountant.
● She is a dynamic firebrand senator representing our great party in the Upper house and fought the La Horquetta Talaparo Constituency for us in 2020.
● Served as DPL since 2017
MP Dr. David Lee
● Over 30 years in the corporate world and finance sector with significant experience having worked at the Central Bank of T&T for over 15 years.
● Former Chairman of the MIC 2010 to 2015.
● Former Chairman of the United National Congress 2015-2017.
- Served as DPL since 2017
● Serving his second term as MP for Pointe a Pierre
● Opposition Chief Whip in our Parliament.
MP Dr. Roodal Moonilal
● Former Deputy Leader of the UNC. First Youth Officer of the UNC
● Former Minister of Housing and Leader of Government Business in Parliament
● He holds a BSC in Government Studies, a PhD in Development Studies and is a qualified attorney.
● Member of Parliament for Oropouche East with over 20 years’ of experience in Parliament.
Party Chairman: MP Davendranath Tancoo
● Former General Secretary from 2012 to 2020.
● A qualified senior Economist and qualified Attorney at Law.
● Former Chief Economist to the Leader of the Opposition.
● Member of Parliament for Oropouche West.
● Served as Chairman from 2020 to present
Vice Chairman: Hamlyn Jailal
- Has served the UNC for over 25 years as the Campaign Manager in the Tunapuna Constituency.
- Holds a Bachelor’s Degree in History and Social Sciences from the UWI as well as a degree in Theology from the United States.
- Has served as the Chairman of NIPDEC and been involved in global business for over three decades.
Party Organiser: MP Barry Padarath
● Former Chairman of the UWI Guild.
● Holds Bachelors in Government and IR. Postgrad degree in communications, Diploma in law
● Before entering active politics, he served 4 years in the Foreign Service and also served as the deputy head of ceremonials for the Commonwealth heads of government meeting for Her Majesty the Queen.
● The pepper mouth MP in the Parliament served Princes Town’s people and served as Central Coordinator from 2022 to 2024.
● Shadow Minister for Public Utilities
Policy and Strategy Officer: MP Saddam Hosein
● A brilliant young Attorney with significant experience in civil law. A graduate of UWI, Cave Hill. Graduate of Hugh Wooding Law School, where he graduated on the Principal’s Roll of Honour, winning the Justice Wendell Kangaroo Advocacy award.
● Former Senator in the 11th Parliament and outgoing Research Officer of the UNC.
● The fearless and fiery Member of Parliament for San Juan Barataria.
● Shadow Minister for Legal Affairs and Attorney General
Research Officer: Fmr Senator Sean Sobers
● Brilliant young attorney who graduated from the University of London. Practicing over a decade with a focus civil and commercial litigation.
● A dynamic defender of our rights who served as an Opposition Senator in the 11th Parliament.
● Represented our great party as a GE Candidate for San Fernando West in the 2020 Election.
● Outgoing Policy and Strategy Officer
Election Officer: MP Arnold Ram
● Holds a BSC in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the UWI, MBA from Herriot-Watt University, and is also a qualified, practising Attorney
● Served as Research Officer of the UNC from 2010 to 2015. Then served as Policy and Strategy Officer of the UNC from 2015 to 2020
● Former Guild President of UWI.
● Member of Parliament for Caroni Central and Shadow Minister for Sport and Youth Affairs
Treasurer: Alderman Viliana Ramoutarsingh
● Prolific businesswoman who is known for event management and fundraising
● A committed servant of the UNC for over 30 years as an invaluable member of the San Fernando West Team, where she became the youngest Women’s Affairs Officer in 1997
● A member of the distinguished Ramoutarsingh family, she has contributed to the national development of our nation through significant social activism and Charitable endeavours.
● Serves as a UNC Alderman in the San Fernando City Corporation.
International Relations Officer: Wilfred Nicholas Morris
● Pursuing an MBA in Oil and Gas Management. Achieved certificates in Parliamentary Management and
Administration as well as Parliamentary Procedure from the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) Academy.
● Former Commonwealth Youth Ambassador and Commonwealth Youth Parliamentarian.
● Elected as Youth Prime Minister in Guardian Media’s Youth Election 2015. Former
International Judge in the Queen’s Commonwealth Essay Competition
● In 2022, his International Policy writing for the UNC placed second in the Caribbean at a regional symposium held by the Chinese government.
● Served as Chairman of the UNC National Youth Arm from 2011 to 2015. Served as International Relations Officer from 2015 to date
Education Officer: Ravi Ratiram
● Former UWI Guild President
● Holder of a UWI BSC in Engineering and MBA from Angela Ruskin University
● Member of Parliament for Couva North and Shadow Agriculture Minister.
● Served as Party Organizer from 2015 to present
North East Regional Coordinator: Khadijah Ameen
● A child of the UNC who has even been placed in handcuffs for defending this party.
● Nominated for a Local Government Councillor at age 21 and then elected at age 22. In2010 she became the youngest Chairman of the Tunapuna Piarco Regional Corporation.
● Holds an MBA in Leadership from Anglia Ruskin University and pursuing her LLB with the University of London.
● Former Women’s Arm Chairman, Deputy Leader, and incumbent Deputy Chair of the UNC.
● Senator in the 11th Republican Parliament and now your dynamic MP for St. Augustine
Central Regional Coordinator: MP Vandana Mohit
● Former Local Government Councillor for Cunupia.
● The youngest Mayor in our nation’s history as Mayor of Chaguanas.
● She is the outgoing Education Officer and Shadow Minister of Social Development in the House of Representatives
● Holds a Masters of Arts in Mass Communication New Media Governance and
Democracy from the University of Leicester.
● The young and dynamic Member of Parliament for Chaguanas East who continues to speak up for the social welfare needs of our citizens in &and out of our Parliament.
South Regional Coordinator: Councillor Shanty Boodram
● Stalwart of the UNC known for the Shanty Brigade.
● Served as a Local Government Councillor since 2010.
● Vice Chairman of the Penal Debe Regional Corporation
● Serving as South Coordinator since 2010 forming dozens of party groups party arms
throughout South Trinidad
North West Regional Coordinator: Eli Zakour
● A successful businessman with over 20 years of management experience.
● Served on the Board of Directors of Udecott and then SWMCOL.
● Holds an MBA and Master in Law and is also a qualified commercial pilot.
● Represented our Party as a General Election Candidate in 2015 and 2020.
He has served as North West Regional Coordinator from 2017.
Tobago Regional Coordinator: Councillor Kenwyn Phillip
- Present Chairman of the Sangre Grande Regional Corporation
- Serving as the Councillor for Manzanilla/Fishing Pond since 2016, having been elected three times.
- Former Youth Affairs Officer and Elections Officer of the Cumuto/Manzanilla Constituency Executive with over 15 years of service to the United National Congress.
Support independent journalism. AZP News is an independent news organisation that is not affiliated with any big business and depends solely on advertising to pay our bills. Therefore, we are asking for the generosity of our readers to help us with small donations of any amount, but we will be happy with $20, $50 or $100. Click Here to Donate
All of them have over 10 years experience and good track record. So how come the UNC lost the 2015 and 2020 General Elections. How come the party did not grow it membership. How come several of them have to answer charges in the courts of law. How come some of them were involved in unscrupulous activities. How come the same team for many years couldn’t find or build a permanent home for the UNC. How come the Kamla supporting a particular slate