DR1 Daily News - Wednesday, 24 May 2017

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May 3, 2000
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Clash of interests in Congress over money laundering bill
President’s sister awaiting decision about her presidency
List of arrest warrants prepared in Odebrecht case
Teachers reject the teaching of Creole, more to gain teaching English
Doctors’ strike in Valverde
Goodbye Orange and Tricom, hello Altice
Trump slashes budgets to Caribbean and Latin America
Dominican car thief arrested in Haiti
Trial date fixed for fired judge
Sisters killed near Azua
Fernando Villalona, Sergio Vargas and Eddy Herrera at Hard Rock Live


Clash of interests in Congress over money laundering bill
Diario Libre reports that at least two senators and nine deputies have direct ties to the business of sports betting and gambling. This includes three deputies and a senator of the ruling Dominican Liberation Party (PLD), three deputies of the opposition Revolutionary Modern Party (PRM), two deputies of the Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD) and one of the Social Christian Reformist Party (PRSC). 

The investigation was published after the Senate amended the Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism Bill (Ley de Lavado de Activos y Financiamiento al Terrorismo) to exclude betting shops from the bill. The bill had passed in the Chamber of Deputies. 

Diario Libre investigative report mentions the following congress members are in the gaming business: 
Pedro Alegría, senator for San José de Ocoa for the Bloque Institucional Social Demócrata (BIS) is the owner of the Lotería Electrónica Internacional Dominicana S.A. (Leidsa).

Senator for Santiago Rodríguez for the PLD, Antonio de Jesús Cruz Torres is the owner of the Antonio Cruz betting shops. He has been a senator for three terms. 

PRM deputy for Santiago Francisco Santos Sosa is the owner of the Nave betting shops. He voted in favor of the betting shops being included in the Money Laundering bill when it was voted on in the Chamber of Deputies. As reported in Diario Libre, he said the sector needs order. He observed there could be around 200,000 betting shops nationwide, of which only 30,000 are legal. 

Luis Alberto Tejeda Pimentel, PLD deputy for Santo Domingo, is the president of the La Soñadora betting shops. 

Orlando Antonio Martínez Mena is PRM deputy for Monseñor Noel province and owner of Bancas OM. 

Manuel Miguel Florián Terreno, PRM deputy for Barahona province, is the owner of the Consorcio de Bancas M&M betting shops. 

Rafael Abreu, PRD deputy for San Cristóbal, is the owner of the Abreu betting shops in San Cristóbal. Abreu, nevertheless, says he operated in the business from 2009 to 2011, but not using the brand Abreu. He said he is no longer in the business. 

Santo Ramírez, deputy for PRD in Peravia, is the owner of the betting shops in his province. 

Melvin Alexis Lara is deputy for the PRSC in the province of Santo Domingo and owner of the Alex Lara betting shops. 

Domingo Baret (Francis Gas) is PLD deputy for the province of Santo Domingo and owner of betting shops. 

Luis Manuel Henríquez Beato, deputy for PLD for the province of Santo Domingo, was the right hand of late mayor Juan de los Santos in Santo Domingo Este, a leading betting shop entrepreneur prior to his murder. Diario Libre reports that Henríquez is also in the betting business. 

As reported in Diario Libre, the president of the Commission of Justice of the Chamber of Deputies, Henry Merán said they are awaiting for the bill that was amended in the Senate to be returned to the lower house. 

“It is evident that sectors that are involved in the business can lobby to pass a bill that does not affect what they understand are their interests,” he said. 

In an editorial on 23 May 2017, the newspaper’s managing editor Ines Aizpún writes: “The illegal betting shops have to be closed down. If the authorities do not combat this tax evasion (starting by in the drafting of laws) then they will not have moral authority to pressure formal businesses.” 

Diario Libre on 24 May 2017 editorialized again on the exclusion of the betting shops from the anti-money laundering bill. Executive editor Adriano Miguel Tejada remarks on how surprising for everyone the government’s defense of the exclusion has been. He writes that the defense of the exclusion draws attention, because it is contrary to everything the government has preached, and given that it is happening when the conduct of party officials and the administration itself is being questioned. “Something smells funny”, he remarks. “Include the betting shops in the bill and give an example that here we do not tolerate money laundering mechanisms,” concludes Adriano Miguel Tejada, executive editor. 

Lawyer Ramón Emilio Núñez told Diario Libre that the exclusion means the supervision on the betting shops will be less. Lawyer Amadeo Peralta concurs saying that the exclusion means that the authorities will not be obliged to investigate these and the betting shops will not be obliged to provide information when it is requested. “I hope the Chamber of Deputies modifies the bill and includes the betting shops where it is evident there is laundering of assets given the proliferation of the betting shops without any control,” he observed. He disagreed with the argument for the exclusion made by Presidency Minister Gustavo Montalvo that the Financial Action Task Force (FATF-GAFI) does not include the betting shops, saying that every country has to legislate given its own reality. 

https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...-de-bancas-chocan-con-ley-de-lavado-ND7151681
https://www.diariolibre.com/opinion/am/sobre-el-juego-y-los-legisladores-KK7149950
https://www.diariolibre.com/opinion/am/y-esa-defensa-de-las-bancas-JD7162975
http://dr1.com/forums/showthread.php/161911-Tuesday, 23 May 2017
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...bancas-debieron-estar-en-ley-lavado-JL7159957


President’s sister awaiting decision about her presidency
President of the Chamber of Deputies, Lucía Medina, has insisted that it will be the Political Committee of the Dominican Liberation Party that will decide whether she will continue in her position that she took up in August 2016. 

Apparently, there was an internal agreement within the party that a decision as to whether she would continue as president of the chamber of deputies would be taken after 12 months.  Fellow deputies Rubén Maldonado, Radhamés Camacho and Demóstenes Martínez, are also requesting the PC to make a decision, as one of them would likely succeed her should she be replaced.

Former legal advisor to the President, Cesar Pina Toribio, in remarks published in Diario Libre, called for the agreement signed by the Political Committee of the PLD to be respected. The agreement calls for alternating the presidency of the Chamber of Deputies. Toribio was named ambassador in Argentina. 

http://listindiario.com/la-republic...ue-se-remite-al-acuerdo-del-cp-sobre-su-cargo


List of arrest warrants prepared in Odebrecht case
According to El Nacional newspaper, a source has told them that the Attorney General’s Office has a created a list of individuals who could be issued arrest warrants in relation to the Odebrecht case. The warrants could be issued as soon as next week. Officials of the Brazilian company Odebrecht have admitted to having paid bribes to government officials and legislators in the country to facilitate being awarded lucrative government construction contracts.

The source said that the list is nearly ready and is being reviewed by prosecutors. Once finalized, the Attorney General’s office will issue the arrest warrants and begin judicial proceedings against individuals implicated in the scandal. 

A second source said that the Attorney General Jean Alain Rodríguez met with President Danilo Medina on the night of Monday 22 May 2017 to update him on the results of the interview he carried out with Minister of Industry and Commerce Temistocles Montás, and the rest of the investigative process. 

In total, 38 individuals have been questioned by the Attorney General’s Office in connection to the case, including Montás who originally said he had asked for the interview and then later admitted he had been formally summoned.

Others interviewed were Rubén Jiménez Bichara, Gonzalo Castillo, Horacio Mazara, Alejandro Montás, Olgo Fernández, Francisco Pagán, representing Odebrecht, Marcelo Hofke, businessman and lobbyist Ángel Rondón, Radhamés Segura, Freddy Pérez and the former director of the water compnay Inapa Roberto Rodríguez.

In addition the former director de Inapa, Mariano Germán, Alberto Holguín, Víctor Díaz Rúa, César Sánchez, Andrés Bautista, Jesús Vásquez, Alfredo Pacheco, Frank Rodríguez, Rafael Suero, Leonardo Guzmán, who is the son in law of the former Public Works minister Víctor Díaz Rúa, lawyer Conrad Pittaluga and president of the Senate Reinaldo Pared Pérez, among others.

http://elnacional.com.do/pgr-tiene-listas-ordenes-arresto-caso-odebrecht/


Teachers reject the teaching of Creole, more to gain teaching English
The Dominican Teachers’ Association (ADP) has rejected a proposal to teach Haitian Creole in Dominican public schools. The proposal, put forth by the Mecca Center for Legal Studies (Cejus), calls for Creole to be taught in public schools. ADP president Eduardo Hidalgo remarked that it would add nothing to the educational system or the professional development of Dominicans. 

Hidalgo, nevertheless, said that he is in agreement with the teaching of English, German, Italian and French or any other language that would strengthen the tourism and industrial sectors. He went on to say that most tourists come from the United States, Canada, France, Germany and Italy. 

Education Minister Andrés Navarro said he is not familiar with the proposal that was apparently submitted by Cejus to the Ministry of Education.

http://elnacional.com.do/rechaza-impartan-creole-en-escuelas/


Doctors’ strike in Valverde
The branch of the Dominican Medical Association (CMD) in Valverde province started a 72-hour strike on Tuesday, 23 May, 2017. The strike affects patients scheduled for surgery and consultations. 

Dr. Ramón Rodríguez explained the strike will be carried out at the hospitals of Esperanza, Mao and Laguna Salada to pressure for the remodeling of the public hospitals in Mao and Esperanza, as well as the hiring of more doctors, nurses and radiologists. The hospitals also need more equipment, medicines and supplies. 

In addition they are requesting the non-violation of law 414-98 that orders that retiring doctors receive 100% of their salaries.  

http://elnacional.com.do/cmd-paraliza-por-72-horas-hospitales-valverde/


Goodbye Orange and Tricom, hello Altice
Altice announced on Tuesday, 23 May 2017 that Tricom and Orange would be rebranded to be known under the Altice brand of the parent company. Tricom and Orange together have more than 4.8 million customers in the country, who subscribe to cable TV, fixed line, mobile and internet services. 

The name change would be completed before the end of the first half of 2018. Altice has announced this is part of a worldwide strategy for the brand. The rebranding comes as Altice USA prepares to go public, with its stock to be traded on the New York Stock Exchange.

Altice, based in Luxembourg, acquired 100% of the French company Orange Dominicana in November 2013. In the previous month it had bought the Dominican telecom firm Tricom.

Michael Combes, executive director of Altice, said in addition to a new logo, the rebranding includes a new musical theme and slogan – “Together has no limits.” 

In making the announcement in the United States, Patrick Drahi, founder and controlling shareholder of Altice NV, stated that the rebranding will help the company better compete against Internet giants Facebook, Google and Spectrum and other cable television providers.

The company is now waiting for the approval for the change from the Dominican Telecoms Institute (Indotel).

http://listindiario.com/economia/2017/05/23/467165/marcas-tricom-y-orange-se-convertiran-en-altice
http://www.newsday.com/business/optimum-brand-name-to-disappear-be-replaced-by-altice-1.13657447


Trump slashes budgets to Caribbean and Latin America
The first proposed budget by the United States President Donald Trump includes a substantial cut in aid to Latin America.

The budget, that was presented on 23 May 2017, still has to be approved by Congress and therefore could change. The 2018 budget for Latin America and the Caribbean has been cut by US$614 million over 2016 funding levels. 

Cuba will no longer receive any funds, after having receive US$20 million in 2016. Nor  will Venezuela, that in 2016 received US$6.5 million. Mexico will receive US$87.7 million, a cut of 45.3%, and the Dominican Republic will receive US$10.5 million, less than half the 2016 figure of US$21.6 million.

All of the countries have had their budgets slashed, some by a significant amount such as Nicaragua that now will receive US$200,000 compared to US$10 million in 2016. However, Colombia will receive US$251.4 million, not much less than the US$299.4 million it obtained in 2016 but somewhat more of a decrease over the US$391 million allocated for this year. It should be noted that the US government funds are dedicated to fighting drug trafficking, security, the promotion of democracy and humanitarian aid.

http://listindiario.com/las-mundial...s-de-la-region-en-su-propuesta-de-presupuesto


Dominican car thief arrested in Haiti
Last weekend in Hinche, Haiti, the National Police of Haiti (PNH) arrested Dominican Wendy Romero Santana, who is accused of being the head of a gang of car thieves. Four of her accomplices, whose names and nationalities were not disclosed by the authorities, were also arrested as reported in Haiti Libre. The alleged criminals were arrested in a white Hyundai Tucson SUV. The vehicles were alledgedly stolen in Haiti to be sold in the Dominican Republic. Romero was handed over to the Dominican authorities.

During the operation, Haitian police seized two 9 mm revolvers, 4 magazines and 53 bullets, a 12 gauge rifle and 67 cartridges, six US passports and an Argentine passport, as well as two Dominican vehicle plates with the numbers G381465 and G357029.

http://acento.com.do/2017/actualida...inicana-acusada-dirigir-banda-robo-vehiculos/
http://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-2...-dominican-gang-leader-arrested-in-haiti.html


Trial date fixed for fired judge
National District judge Danilo Amador Quevedo has fixed the date of 30 May 2017 for the preliminary hearing into the former judges Awilda Reyes Beltré and Francisco Arias Valera, who are accused of judicial misconduct and violations of ethic codes.

The Judicial Branch Council (CPJ) dismissed Reyes Beltré and banned her from working for the State for five years.

She was a judge in the fourth Courtroom of the Penal Trial Court in the National District but resigned in the middle of a disciplinary hearing having been accused of receiving bribes to allow the ex-councilor for Pedro Brand, Ericson de los Santos Solís, to go free.

https://elnuevodiario.com.do/juez-f...encia-preliminar-contra-exjueza-awilda-reyes/


Sisters killed near Azua
Two sisters, aged 6 and 13 years, were killed on 23 May 2017, when they were hit by a vehicle when trying to cross the Sánchez Highway at the exit of Azua in the southwest of the country. Leidy and Carolina de los Santos were struck by a car driven by Sojailin Altagracia González Acosta, a professor at the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD), Barahona campus. 

The accident happened in front of the girls’ father, who was waiting for them on the other side of the road. The professor handed herself over to the authorities and was detained at the police station in Azua. 

http://almomento.net/azua-hermanitas-de-6-y-13-anos-mueren-al-ser-atropelladas-por-carro/319130


Fernando Villalona, Sergio Vargas and Eddy Herrera at Hard Rock Live
Fernando Villalona, Sergio Vargas and Eddy Herrera are booked for a show on Wednesday, 14 June 2017 at the Hard Rock Live of Blue Mall. “Tres romanticos,” is the name of the show that promises an evening of romantic ballads and soft merengues. Each of the performers will have an hour to sing their best hits to the audience.