The National Integrity Action (NIA) says Marisa Dalrymple-Philibert’s return as the Jamaica Labour Party’s candidate for the upcoming Trelawny Southern by-election is entirely unacceptable.

The former House Speaker resigned last September amid allegations that arose from an Integrity Commission report on her statutory declarations.

Yesterday, Prime Minister Andrew Holness said that “by popular demand,” Mrs. Dalrymple-Philibert would return as the party’s candidate.

In a statement reacting to the Prime Minister’s announcement, the NIA argued that Mrs. Dalrymple-Philibert returning to public office before the allegations are resolved sends the wrong message.

It said the decision undermines the integrity of citizens, governance institutions, and the laws of Jamaica.

The NIA asserted that parliamentarians facing charges should step aside and await exoneration by the courts.

It maintained that allegations of corruption against the country’s leaders should be acknowledged as more than just “nine-day wonders.”

The NIA further emphasized that the government must demonstrate its commitment to handling allegations of corruption by supporting the establishment of an anti-corruption court to handle such cases with alacrity.

It reminded the government of its commitment to hold parliamentarians accountable through a Code of Conduct, which was presented to the Cabinet last June.

The organization further urged the government to swiftly publish this Code for public feedback and provide a timeline for its implementation.

Meantime, while acknowledging that popular demand may reflect the will of the people, the NIA insisted it should not override the principles of accountability and justice.

It stressed that accountability is vital for maintaining the integrity of the government and fostering public trust.