More people enrolling in literacy program
Salary increase for Armed Forces members
Conjunctivitis on the decline
Saving the Caribbean sharks
Request for resignation of President Medina not well received
Roberto Santana criticizes privileges given to Odebrecht arrests
Cesar Sanchez has kidney stones
Tres Brazos interrogation continues
Oisoe corruption trial begins
Coercive measures ratified in Super Tucano case
Haitians return voluntarily
Plea to end Haitian ban on Dominican products
British Chamber of Commerce invites to business forum
Judge sends to jail woman used her children for pornography
Transporter injured by fleeing motorists
Tropical Storm Bret to miss the island
Focus on Pedro Martínez Jr: Will he sign to play pro ball?
DR has won all its 4 games in the Pan Am Volleyball Cup
More people enrolling in literacy program
According to Domingo Contreras, general director of the Special Programs of the Presidency (DICEPEP), the National Literacy Program “Quisqueya Learns With You” has enrolled 78,462 new adult learners during the first semester of this year. He said that the program was being offered in 10,767 learning centers of which 7,000 had started the process.
The goal of the program is to reduce to a minimum illiteracy in the Dominican Republic.
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...-el-plan-nacional-de-alfabetizacion-FN7429241
Salary increase for Armed Forces members
The 64,000 men on active duty in the Armed Forces will receive a salary increase on 1 July 2017, resulting in a minimum salary of RD$10,000 for a private and RD$150,000 for regional brigade commanders.
Privates currently receive a salary of RD$5,820 a month so this is a 46.1% increase. Specialists will receive a 25% increase and general officers 15%. Corporals will go from RD$8,000 to RD$11,600, Sergeant from RD$9,000 to RD$13,000, a Sergeant Major from RD$11,000 to RD$15,400 a month, a first and second lieutenant from RD$13,000 and RD$15,000 to RD$15,500 and RD$20,250 a month.
The increases will cost the government five thousand million pesos a year according to Defense Minister Paulino Sem. He went on to clarify that a private could end up earning between RD$14,000 and RD$15,000 a month depending on additional incentives.
http://elnacional.com.do/aumentaran-46-a-salarios-rasos-fuerzas-armadas/
Conjunctivitis on the decline
The pink eye virus apparently has run its course in the Dominican Republic. Preventive measures taken by people are leading to a reduction in the number of cases reported. The Epidemiology Agency of the Ministry of Public Health says that 25,675 cases were reported from 28 May to 5 June 2017, while from 4 June to 10 June, there were 18,801 cases, a 27% decline.
The governmental Centro Cardio-Neuro-Oftalmologico y Transplante (Cecanot) public hospital said that from seeing 100 patients with conjunctivitis, the number is down to 13 cases on Sunday, 18 June.
The Ministry of Public Health says that so far this year there have been 119,403 cases of conjunctivitis, up 163% over the cases for last year of 45,455.
Saving the Caribbean sharks
The Ministry of Environment's indefinite ban on fishing and trading all species of sharks starting 29 July 2017 is called to protect the sharks that inhabit the jurisdictional waters of the Dominican Republic.
The endangered sharks are being captured and mutilated for parts that are in demand as aphrodisiacs in Asian countries. There is also high monetary value on shark fins that are used to make shark fin soup, a symbol of status in Chinese culture. The sharks are also fished for their meat, skin, livers, and teeth.
The Caribbean shark species found in Dominican territorial waters are:
Bull shark (Carcharhinus Leucas - Tiburón toro),
Nurse shark (Carcharhinus Leuda - Tiburón gata),
Tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier - Tiburón tigre),
Lemon shark (Negaprion brevirostris - Tiburón limón),
Ginglymostoma cirratum - Tiburón gata),
Caribbean reef shark (Carcharhinus perezi - Tiburón de arrecife)
Blue shark (Prionace glauca - Tiburón azul).
The Ministry of Environment has also banned the capture and trading in ray and sea urchins, parrotfish and doctor fish, including export and import of these species.
Minister Francisco Domínguez Brito called the measure a first step and a call for attention to the need to protect the species that are vital for the health and survival of marine ecosystems, and the quality of corals and beaches, such as parrotfish and fish doctors.
The ban on parrotfish and doctor fish is for two years. It is imposed for fishing or commercial exploitation and its retention when caught accidentally.
For the purpose sea urchin, the Ministry of Environment established a five-year ban on its capture, commercialization and removal in any way from the jurisdictional waters of the Dominican Republic.
Read about the characteristics of sharks and rays in Caribbean waters:
http://www.fao.org/3/a-i5691e.pdf
http://eldia.com.do/veda-a-tiburon-busca-preservar-poblacion/
Request for resignation of President Medina not well received
A group of intellectuals, academics and social activists are circulating a manifest in which they call for the resignation of President Danilo Medina in response to the crisis that in their judgment is affecting the Dominican Republic following the confirmation of Odebrecht bribes paid to government officials after legal documents were unsealed in a New York City court. Eight individuals accused of accepting bribes are currently in pre-trial custody.
The manifest calls for the installation of a transition government to organize a new presidential, legislative and municipal elections in a year. The manifest says President Medina was illegally elected when he violated the Constitution, the electoral laws using bribes and overpricing of public works contracted to the Mafiosi transnational Odebrecht.
The credibility of the manifest, nevertheless, was eroded when sociologist Cesar Perez denied having authorized the use of his name on the document. Likewise, activist Gnosis Rivera and university professor Ricardo Ripoll denied having given permission to be cited as signatories on the document. Cesar Perez said the document could serve as a distraction rather than an instrument for political reform inspired by the growing Green March Movement that has called for an end to administrative corruption and impunity.
The Dominican Constitution establishes that in the case of the death, removal or resignation of the President he will be replaced by the Vice President. If both are unable to serve, the control of the government passes to the president of the Supreme Court of Justice who was named by a council where the ruling PLD party prevailed. In addition, the Congress in the Dominican Republic is controlled by the ruling PLD party.
Regardless, there seem to be more reactions against the proposal than in favor of it. The president of the Dominican Alliance against Corruption (Adocco), Julio Cesar de la Rosa Tiburcio, said that the request contributes nothing to the strengthening of democracy in the country. He said it could set off a situation of instability that no one desires. “We recommend the politicians that make this kind of request wait for the 2020 election to change the current government” he said when interviewed by El Dia.
Commenting on the manifesto, the president of the Central Electoral Board (JCE), Julio Castaños Guzmán, spoke catastrophically about the request for the resignation of President Medina. He said that President Danilo Medina is a President freely elected by the popular vote. His status of an official elected by a majority of votes is not in question and any person who attempts to nullify the choice of the people will likely generate a counteraction that will cause alarm in the populace that will reverberate within the country for generations.
Castaños said he would never as president of the JCE organize an election as an outcome of a situation as proposed. He said the proponents should revoke the petition to avoid doing a popular ridicule.
Responding to the manifest, the legal advisor of the Presidency, Flavio Darío Espinal, said the proposal has no political or legal validity that the President resign when the general election will be held in three years.
An editorial in Diario Libre observes the arrogance of the document and how it has worked in the favor of the Medina administration.
https://www.metrord.do/do/destacado/2017/06/19/piden-renuncia-del-
presidente-danilo-pasaria-rd-ocurriera.html
http://eldia.com.do/el-pedido-de-renuncia-a-danilo-genera-reacciones-adversas/
http://www.listindiario.com/la-republica/2017/06/20/470895/castanos-
guzman-dice-que-danilo-medina-esta-ungido-por-el-voto-popular
http://www.elcaribe.com.do/2017/06/20/presidente-jce-dice-que-danilo-
renuncia-caera-una-maldicion-firmantes-manifiesto
http://www.7dias.com.do/portada/2017/06/20/i230501_consultor-juridico-
afirma-carece-fundamento-politico-juridico-pedido-renuncia-presidente-
medina.html
https://www.diariolibre.com/opinion/de-buena-tinta
Roberto Santana criticizes privileges given to Odebrecht arrests
The former director of the new prison model, Roberto Santana says that Attorney General Jean Alain Rodríguez has committed a series of errors that violate the protocol established at the new prison model and agreements signed with the United Nations. Santana said that Rodríguez when making exceptions for the eight Odebrecht prisoners in the jail protocol.
Santana says that if these errors are not addressed, the new model could be affected and the hard-earned international credibility of the system compromised.
Among the oversights, he mentioned the privileges awarded to the Odebrecht arrested including government officers entering the jail in SUVs, the visit out of the visit schedules by relatives with food, clothing and the not using of the jail uniform of the prisoners.
http://acento.com.do/2017/actualidad/8467403-roberto-santana-dice-
procurador-no-sabe-lo-manos-caso-odebrecht/
Cesar Sanchez has kidney stones
Media reports indicate that former administrator of the Dominican Public Electricity Corporation (CDEEE), César Sánchez suffers from kidney stones. While under pre-trial detention in the Odebrecht corruption scandal, Sánchez was taken to the Centro Médico Dominicano after falling ill when at the Najayo Men’s Jail. Visits at the Centro Médico Dominicano are restricted, said César Cedeño, a fellow Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) political party member.
http://listindiario.com/la-republic...isita-restringida-en-centro-medico-dominicano
https://www.metrord.do/do/destacado/2017/06/20/cesar-sanchez-padece-de-piedras-en-los-rinones.html
Tres Brazos interrogation continues
The former director of the Dominican Corporation of State Enterprises (CORDE), Leoncio Almánzar was interrogated yesterday, Tuesday 20 June 2017, about the irregular sale of land and government property in the Tres Brazos area of Santo Domingo East. He was questioned by the Attorney General Jean Alain Rodríguez, and the head of the Specialized Prosecution Unit for the Persecution of Administrative Corruption (PEPCA) Laura Guerrero Pelletier.
On 13 February this year, Prsident Danilo Medina ordered the dissolution of CORDE and the Commission for the Reform of Public Companies (CREP) as well as dismissing Leoncio Almánzar as director of CORDE. The government also decided to annul the sale of Los Tres Brazos and begun the process to transfer the property for a low Price or free depending on the socio economic condition of those who had lived in the sector for years.
http://eldia.com.do/procurador-inte...-de-corde-por-venta-terrenos-los-tres-brazos/
Oisoe corruption trial begins
The Specialized Prosecution Unit for the Persecution of Administrative Corruption (PEPCA) has read the charges at the trial of the four people implicated in the corruption case at the Office of Supervising Engineers for State Works (Oisoe).
Alejandro de los Santos and Joel Soriano are accused of having used their positions to extort contractors, obliging them to take out credit in association with Julio Pérez Alejo, said to be the man with the briefcase and Juan Ernesto Romero.
The group is accused of causing architect David Rodríguez to commit suicide at Oisoe headquarters as he was drowning in debt which he had taken on due after the accused had allegedly threatened to take the work away from him.
The trial will continue today, Wednesday 21 June, with the statements of the witnesses.
The prosecutors have been criticized in the media for leaving out the investigation of department heads and the director.
http://hoy.com.do/mp-inicia-presentacion-acusacion-en-caso-oisoe-juicio-fondo-sigue-manana/
Coercive measures ratified in Super Tucano case
National District Judge Danilo Amador Quevedo has ratified the coercive measures imposed on the four accused in the case of the bribes paid by the Brazilian company Embraer related to the purchase of eight Super Tucano airplanes.
Colonel Carlos Piccini Núñez will remain in preventive custody for another two months and Major General Pedro Rafael Peña Antonio and businessmen Daniel Aquino Hernández and Daniel Aquino Méndez, will continue not to be allowed to leave the country and also must make periodic appearances in court.
In addition, the judge agreed to the request made by the Public Prosecutors to extend the time period of the investigation for another two months, and it is hoped that the Specialized Prosecution Unit for the Persecution of Administrative Corruption (Pepca) will present the formal charges during the month of October.
http://www.elcaribe.com.do/2017/06/20/ratifican-coercion-implicados-caso-tucano
Haitians return voluntarily
According to the Migration Agency (DGM) at least 323 Haitians decided to return voluntarily to Haiti after completing their contracts as sugar cane cutters at the Barahona sugar mill. With this number, in the last two months some 430 Haitians have returned voluntarily to Haiti as in May some 107 returned with the help of the International Organization for Migrations (OIM). The Haitians left with the coordination of the Barahona Sugar Consortium, the Dominican Army and the Migration Agency using seven buses and a truck.
A caricature in El Día reveals that while the news is focusing on the 323 Haitians that have returned, thousands are entering illegally every day to make a living.
http://listindiario.com/la-republic...aitianos-retornaron-voluntariamente-a-su-pais
http://eldia.com.do/el-carrusel-de-la-vida-961/
Plea to end Haitian ban on Dominican products
Claudio Fernandez, the president of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce in the Dominican Republic (Fedocámaras), has reiterated that the private sector in the country is very interested in engaging in discussions with the Haitian authorities concerning the new ban imposed on Dominican products.
Fernández said that if the decision to reject vegetable and animal products was based on the food safety factors, these claim are baseless since these products exported to Haiti were all of high quality.
Through a press release, Fernandez lamented the instability of the rules of the game imposed by Haitian authorities in commercial terms and pointed out no other country was suffering from these types of bans that are affecting all Dominican exporters.
He urged the Ministry of Foreign Relations, together with the private sector and authorities on both sides of the border to have a frank and open dialogue to put an end to the on and off bans.
Fernández reported that there was a recent meeting between Dominican chicken producers and Haitian chicken sellers to tell the Haitians about the high quality of the chickens they supplied, especially important as there was a 75% deficit in the numbers of chickens needed in Haiti, which could easily be filled by supply from the Dominican Republic.
https://www.diariolibre.com/economi...-entre-republica-dominicana-y-haiti-IN7429390
British Chamber of Commerce invites to business forum
The British Chamber of Commerce in the Dominican Republic is inviting the public to the international business forum “Modern Threats to Security: Cybersecurity, Illicit Commerce, Counterfeit Medicine. “ The event is scheduled for Wednesday, 28 June 2017 at 8am at the Intercontinental Hotel Real Santo Domingo.
For more information and to register, contact the British Chamber of Commerce at Tel 809 616-2335 or http://www.britchamdr.com
Judge sends to jail woman used her children for pornography
Judge Luis Carrera Muñoz ordered a year preventive custody at Najayo Mujeres to a woman accused of sex trading with her 5 and 7 year old daughters. The woman has just been identified by the authorities as DMR.
The judge found cause for authorities to further investigate allegedly crimes of incest, trafficking in people for sexual exploitation and child pornography. The woman is accused of producing and distributing pornographic images of her children.
The case was taken to trial after an anonymous tip was received by the Departamento de Línea Vida on 6 June 2017 reporting on the crime. The legal note says that the woman had her daughters touch their personal parts to photograph them and make videos, material that she would send to third parties, including a foreigner named Antonio for money.
The Specialized Prosecutors against Illicit Trafficking in Migrants and People received a manila envelope with a DVD-R with 52 images and 34 erotic videos with the two girls and a text detailing the exploitation of the mother.
http://acento.com.do/2017/actualidad/8467418-dictan-prision-preventiva
-contra-mujer-producia-y-distribuia-pornografia-de-sus-hijas/
http://www.listindiario.com/la-repu...otacion-sexual-de-sus-dos-hijas-de-5-y-7-anos
Transporter injured by fleeing motorists
The man who was injured at gunshot when driving his SUV across the 27 de Febrero overpass with Dr. Delgado street is a member of the Federación Nacional de Transporte Amigos de Peña Gómez (Fenatrapego), a transport union affiliated to the Federación Nacional de Transporte la Nueva Opción (Fenatrano) directed by Juan Hubieres. The victim was identified by the Police as 48-year old Miguel Ángel Mejía Medina. He was fired at from a passing motorcycle. Mejía Medina was seriously injured and is at the intensive care unit of the Centro de Otorrinolaringología y Especialidades.
Mejía is from Barahona and is the owner of 15 minibuses that commute from Santo Domingo to Pedernales, Enriquillo and Neyba in the southwest. His wife is the daughter of former PRSC senator Noé Sterling Vásquez.
http://www.listindiario.com/la-repu...bre-baleado-es-el-propietario-de-15-minibuses
Tropical Storm Bret to miss the island
Tropical Storm Bret, located in the southeastern Caribbean, does not represent a threat for the Dominican Republic. Weather forecasts say it has weakened to a tropical depression. The storm is the first since the start of the Atlantic Basin Hurricane Season on 1 June 2017.
According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami, Tropical Storm Bret will pass south of the Dominican Republic tomorrow and will also weaken.
Bret has delivered strong rain and maximum sustained winds of 75 km/hour to the south east coast of Venezuela and is travelling towards the west northwest at around 33 kilometers an hour. It is expected to remain in the south west of the Caribbean for the next day or so.
http://eldia.com.do/la-tormenta-bret-se-debilitara-a-su-paso-por-el-sureste-del-caribe/
Focus on Pedro Martínez Jr: Will he sign to play pro ball?
Pedro Martínez has a 16-year old son who lives and breathes baseball. He is at a crossroads where he needs to decide whether to sign as a professional or get a regular college education while continuing to play baseball. An article in The Bleacher Report says that Pedro Martínez Sr. would like his son to stay in school.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...tinez-jr-making-own-fame-as-teen-hitting-star
http://www.listindiario.com/el-depo...o-de-pedro-martinez-tras-crear-su-propia-fama
DR has won all its 4 games in the Pan Am Volleyball Cup
The Dominican national women’s volleyball team continues to show its world class during the Pan Am Cup taking place in Lima, Peru. On Tuesday, 20 June 2017, the Dominican team won its fourth straight set victory 3-0 (25-16, 25-17, 25-20) over Cuba, one of the favorites to win the Women’s Volleyball Pan American Cup by Movistar.
Norceca reported that once again the Martinez sisters –Brayelin and Jineiry– led the offensive path for the tournament defending Dominican squad with 13 and 11 points, respectively, while the veterans Bethania De la Cuz and Gina Mambru each contributing 9 points to the victory and Annerys Vargas added eight. Heidy Casanova led Cuba with 14 points in the loss.
The Dominicans have a 4-0 win-loss record with the maximum 20 points after winning all their matches in consecutive sets. Cuba dropped to a 2-2 mark.
In Wednesday’s fifth and final day of action, the Dominicans meet Peru while Cuba faces Trinidad & Tobago.
Marcos Kwiek, coach of Dominican Republic observed: “We were favorites to win the match but the girls took it very seriously and I am very glad about that. We had to battle against a very promising young Cuban team with some very tall players.”
https://www.norceca.net/Dominican Republic with perfect record in Pool B.htm
Salary increase for Armed Forces members
Conjunctivitis on the decline
Saving the Caribbean sharks
Request for resignation of President Medina not well received
Roberto Santana criticizes privileges given to Odebrecht arrests
Cesar Sanchez has kidney stones
Tres Brazos interrogation continues
Oisoe corruption trial begins
Coercive measures ratified in Super Tucano case
Haitians return voluntarily
Plea to end Haitian ban on Dominican products
British Chamber of Commerce invites to business forum
Judge sends to jail woman used her children for pornography
Transporter injured by fleeing motorists
Tropical Storm Bret to miss the island
Focus on Pedro Martínez Jr: Will he sign to play pro ball?
DR has won all its 4 games in the Pan Am Volleyball Cup
More people enrolling in literacy program
According to Domingo Contreras, general director of the Special Programs of the Presidency (DICEPEP), the National Literacy Program “Quisqueya Learns With You” has enrolled 78,462 new adult learners during the first semester of this year. He said that the program was being offered in 10,767 learning centers of which 7,000 had started the process.
The goal of the program is to reduce to a minimum illiteracy in the Dominican Republic.
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...-el-plan-nacional-de-alfabetizacion-FN7429241
Salary increase for Armed Forces members
The 64,000 men on active duty in the Armed Forces will receive a salary increase on 1 July 2017, resulting in a minimum salary of RD$10,000 for a private and RD$150,000 for regional brigade commanders.
Privates currently receive a salary of RD$5,820 a month so this is a 46.1% increase. Specialists will receive a 25% increase and general officers 15%. Corporals will go from RD$8,000 to RD$11,600, Sergeant from RD$9,000 to RD$13,000, a Sergeant Major from RD$11,000 to RD$15,400 a month, a first and second lieutenant from RD$13,000 and RD$15,000 to RD$15,500 and RD$20,250 a month.
The increases will cost the government five thousand million pesos a year according to Defense Minister Paulino Sem. He went on to clarify that a private could end up earning between RD$14,000 and RD$15,000 a month depending on additional incentives.
http://elnacional.com.do/aumentaran-46-a-salarios-rasos-fuerzas-armadas/
Conjunctivitis on the decline
The pink eye virus apparently has run its course in the Dominican Republic. Preventive measures taken by people are leading to a reduction in the number of cases reported. The Epidemiology Agency of the Ministry of Public Health says that 25,675 cases were reported from 28 May to 5 June 2017, while from 4 June to 10 June, there were 18,801 cases, a 27% decline.
The governmental Centro Cardio-Neuro-Oftalmologico y Transplante (Cecanot) public hospital said that from seeing 100 patients with conjunctivitis, the number is down to 13 cases on Sunday, 18 June.
The Ministry of Public Health says that so far this year there have been 119,403 cases of conjunctivitis, up 163% over the cases for last year of 45,455.
Saving the Caribbean sharks
The Ministry of Environment's indefinite ban on fishing and trading all species of sharks starting 29 July 2017 is called to protect the sharks that inhabit the jurisdictional waters of the Dominican Republic.
The endangered sharks are being captured and mutilated for parts that are in demand as aphrodisiacs in Asian countries. There is also high monetary value on shark fins that are used to make shark fin soup, a symbol of status in Chinese culture. The sharks are also fished for their meat, skin, livers, and teeth.
The Caribbean shark species found in Dominican territorial waters are:
Bull shark (Carcharhinus Leucas - Tiburón toro),
Nurse shark (Carcharhinus Leuda - Tiburón gata),
Tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier - Tiburón tigre),
Lemon shark (Negaprion brevirostris - Tiburón limón),
Ginglymostoma cirratum - Tiburón gata),
Caribbean reef shark (Carcharhinus perezi - Tiburón de arrecife)
Blue shark (Prionace glauca - Tiburón azul).
The Ministry of Environment has also banned the capture and trading in ray and sea urchins, parrotfish and doctor fish, including export and import of these species.
Minister Francisco Domínguez Brito called the measure a first step and a call for attention to the need to protect the species that are vital for the health and survival of marine ecosystems, and the quality of corals and beaches, such as parrotfish and fish doctors.
The ban on parrotfish and doctor fish is for two years. It is imposed for fishing or commercial exploitation and its retention when caught accidentally.
For the purpose sea urchin, the Ministry of Environment established a five-year ban on its capture, commercialization and removal in any way from the jurisdictional waters of the Dominican Republic.
Read about the characteristics of sharks and rays in Caribbean waters:
http://www.fao.org/3/a-i5691e.pdf
http://eldia.com.do/veda-a-tiburon-busca-preservar-poblacion/
Request for resignation of President Medina not well received
A group of intellectuals, academics and social activists are circulating a manifest in which they call for the resignation of President Danilo Medina in response to the crisis that in their judgment is affecting the Dominican Republic following the confirmation of Odebrecht bribes paid to government officials after legal documents were unsealed in a New York City court. Eight individuals accused of accepting bribes are currently in pre-trial custody.
The manifest calls for the installation of a transition government to organize a new presidential, legislative and municipal elections in a year. The manifest says President Medina was illegally elected when he violated the Constitution, the electoral laws using bribes and overpricing of public works contracted to the Mafiosi transnational Odebrecht.
The credibility of the manifest, nevertheless, was eroded when sociologist Cesar Perez denied having authorized the use of his name on the document. Likewise, activist Gnosis Rivera and university professor Ricardo Ripoll denied having given permission to be cited as signatories on the document. Cesar Perez said the document could serve as a distraction rather than an instrument for political reform inspired by the growing Green March Movement that has called for an end to administrative corruption and impunity.
The Dominican Constitution establishes that in the case of the death, removal or resignation of the President he will be replaced by the Vice President. If both are unable to serve, the control of the government passes to the president of the Supreme Court of Justice who was named by a council where the ruling PLD party prevailed. In addition, the Congress in the Dominican Republic is controlled by the ruling PLD party.
Regardless, there seem to be more reactions against the proposal than in favor of it. The president of the Dominican Alliance against Corruption (Adocco), Julio Cesar de la Rosa Tiburcio, said that the request contributes nothing to the strengthening of democracy in the country. He said it could set off a situation of instability that no one desires. “We recommend the politicians that make this kind of request wait for the 2020 election to change the current government” he said when interviewed by El Dia.
Commenting on the manifesto, the president of the Central Electoral Board (JCE), Julio Castaños Guzmán, spoke catastrophically about the request for the resignation of President Medina. He said that President Danilo Medina is a President freely elected by the popular vote. His status of an official elected by a majority of votes is not in question and any person who attempts to nullify the choice of the people will likely generate a counteraction that will cause alarm in the populace that will reverberate within the country for generations.
Castaños said he would never as president of the JCE organize an election as an outcome of a situation as proposed. He said the proponents should revoke the petition to avoid doing a popular ridicule.
Responding to the manifest, the legal advisor of the Presidency, Flavio Darío Espinal, said the proposal has no political or legal validity that the President resign when the general election will be held in three years.
An editorial in Diario Libre observes the arrogance of the document and how it has worked in the favor of the Medina administration.
https://www.metrord.do/do/destacado/2017/06/19/piden-renuncia-del-
presidente-danilo-pasaria-rd-ocurriera.html
http://eldia.com.do/el-pedido-de-renuncia-a-danilo-genera-reacciones-adversas/
http://www.listindiario.com/la-republica/2017/06/20/470895/castanos-
guzman-dice-que-danilo-medina-esta-ungido-por-el-voto-popular
http://www.elcaribe.com.do/2017/06/20/presidente-jce-dice-que-danilo-
renuncia-caera-una-maldicion-firmantes-manifiesto
http://www.7dias.com.do/portada/2017/06/20/i230501_consultor-juridico-
afirma-carece-fundamento-politico-juridico-pedido-renuncia-presidente-
medina.html
https://www.diariolibre.com/opinion/de-buena-tinta
Roberto Santana criticizes privileges given to Odebrecht arrests
The former director of the new prison model, Roberto Santana says that Attorney General Jean Alain Rodríguez has committed a series of errors that violate the protocol established at the new prison model and agreements signed with the United Nations. Santana said that Rodríguez when making exceptions for the eight Odebrecht prisoners in the jail protocol.
Santana says that if these errors are not addressed, the new model could be affected and the hard-earned international credibility of the system compromised.
Among the oversights, he mentioned the privileges awarded to the Odebrecht arrested including government officers entering the jail in SUVs, the visit out of the visit schedules by relatives with food, clothing and the not using of the jail uniform of the prisoners.
http://acento.com.do/2017/actualidad/8467403-roberto-santana-dice-
procurador-no-sabe-lo-manos-caso-odebrecht/
Cesar Sanchez has kidney stones
Media reports indicate that former administrator of the Dominican Public Electricity Corporation (CDEEE), César Sánchez suffers from kidney stones. While under pre-trial detention in the Odebrecht corruption scandal, Sánchez was taken to the Centro Médico Dominicano after falling ill when at the Najayo Men’s Jail. Visits at the Centro Médico Dominicano are restricted, said César Cedeño, a fellow Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) political party member.
http://listindiario.com/la-republic...isita-restringida-en-centro-medico-dominicano
https://www.metrord.do/do/destacado/2017/06/20/cesar-sanchez-padece-de-piedras-en-los-rinones.html
Tres Brazos interrogation continues
The former director of the Dominican Corporation of State Enterprises (CORDE), Leoncio Almánzar was interrogated yesterday, Tuesday 20 June 2017, about the irregular sale of land and government property in the Tres Brazos area of Santo Domingo East. He was questioned by the Attorney General Jean Alain Rodríguez, and the head of the Specialized Prosecution Unit for the Persecution of Administrative Corruption (PEPCA) Laura Guerrero Pelletier.
On 13 February this year, Prsident Danilo Medina ordered the dissolution of CORDE and the Commission for the Reform of Public Companies (CREP) as well as dismissing Leoncio Almánzar as director of CORDE. The government also decided to annul the sale of Los Tres Brazos and begun the process to transfer the property for a low Price or free depending on the socio economic condition of those who had lived in the sector for years.
http://eldia.com.do/procurador-inte...-de-corde-por-venta-terrenos-los-tres-brazos/
Oisoe corruption trial begins
The Specialized Prosecution Unit for the Persecution of Administrative Corruption (PEPCA) has read the charges at the trial of the four people implicated in the corruption case at the Office of Supervising Engineers for State Works (Oisoe).
Alejandro de los Santos and Joel Soriano are accused of having used their positions to extort contractors, obliging them to take out credit in association with Julio Pérez Alejo, said to be the man with the briefcase and Juan Ernesto Romero.
The group is accused of causing architect David Rodríguez to commit suicide at Oisoe headquarters as he was drowning in debt which he had taken on due after the accused had allegedly threatened to take the work away from him.
The trial will continue today, Wednesday 21 June, with the statements of the witnesses.
The prosecutors have been criticized in the media for leaving out the investigation of department heads and the director.
http://hoy.com.do/mp-inicia-presentacion-acusacion-en-caso-oisoe-juicio-fondo-sigue-manana/
Coercive measures ratified in Super Tucano case
National District Judge Danilo Amador Quevedo has ratified the coercive measures imposed on the four accused in the case of the bribes paid by the Brazilian company Embraer related to the purchase of eight Super Tucano airplanes.
Colonel Carlos Piccini Núñez will remain in preventive custody for another two months and Major General Pedro Rafael Peña Antonio and businessmen Daniel Aquino Hernández and Daniel Aquino Méndez, will continue not to be allowed to leave the country and also must make periodic appearances in court.
In addition, the judge agreed to the request made by the Public Prosecutors to extend the time period of the investigation for another two months, and it is hoped that the Specialized Prosecution Unit for the Persecution of Administrative Corruption (Pepca) will present the formal charges during the month of October.
http://www.elcaribe.com.do/2017/06/20/ratifican-coercion-implicados-caso-tucano
Haitians return voluntarily
According to the Migration Agency (DGM) at least 323 Haitians decided to return voluntarily to Haiti after completing their contracts as sugar cane cutters at the Barahona sugar mill. With this number, in the last two months some 430 Haitians have returned voluntarily to Haiti as in May some 107 returned with the help of the International Organization for Migrations (OIM). The Haitians left with the coordination of the Barahona Sugar Consortium, the Dominican Army and the Migration Agency using seven buses and a truck.
A caricature in El Día reveals that while the news is focusing on the 323 Haitians that have returned, thousands are entering illegally every day to make a living.
http://listindiario.com/la-republic...aitianos-retornaron-voluntariamente-a-su-pais
http://eldia.com.do/el-carrusel-de-la-vida-961/
Plea to end Haitian ban on Dominican products
Claudio Fernandez, the president of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce in the Dominican Republic (Fedocámaras), has reiterated that the private sector in the country is very interested in engaging in discussions with the Haitian authorities concerning the new ban imposed on Dominican products.
Fernández said that if the decision to reject vegetable and animal products was based on the food safety factors, these claim are baseless since these products exported to Haiti were all of high quality.
Through a press release, Fernandez lamented the instability of the rules of the game imposed by Haitian authorities in commercial terms and pointed out no other country was suffering from these types of bans that are affecting all Dominican exporters.
He urged the Ministry of Foreign Relations, together with the private sector and authorities on both sides of the border to have a frank and open dialogue to put an end to the on and off bans.
Fernández reported that there was a recent meeting between Dominican chicken producers and Haitian chicken sellers to tell the Haitians about the high quality of the chickens they supplied, especially important as there was a 75% deficit in the numbers of chickens needed in Haiti, which could easily be filled by supply from the Dominican Republic.
https://www.diariolibre.com/economi...-entre-republica-dominicana-y-haiti-IN7429390
British Chamber of Commerce invites to business forum
The British Chamber of Commerce in the Dominican Republic is inviting the public to the international business forum “Modern Threats to Security: Cybersecurity, Illicit Commerce, Counterfeit Medicine. “ The event is scheduled for Wednesday, 28 June 2017 at 8am at the Intercontinental Hotel Real Santo Domingo.
For more information and to register, contact the British Chamber of Commerce at Tel 809 616-2335 or http://www.britchamdr.com
Judge sends to jail woman used her children for pornography
Judge Luis Carrera Muñoz ordered a year preventive custody at Najayo Mujeres to a woman accused of sex trading with her 5 and 7 year old daughters. The woman has just been identified by the authorities as DMR.
The judge found cause for authorities to further investigate allegedly crimes of incest, trafficking in people for sexual exploitation and child pornography. The woman is accused of producing and distributing pornographic images of her children.
The case was taken to trial after an anonymous tip was received by the Departamento de Línea Vida on 6 June 2017 reporting on the crime. The legal note says that the woman had her daughters touch their personal parts to photograph them and make videos, material that she would send to third parties, including a foreigner named Antonio for money.
The Specialized Prosecutors against Illicit Trafficking in Migrants and People received a manila envelope with a DVD-R with 52 images and 34 erotic videos with the two girls and a text detailing the exploitation of the mother.
http://acento.com.do/2017/actualidad/8467418-dictan-prision-preventiva
-contra-mujer-producia-y-distribuia-pornografia-de-sus-hijas/
http://www.listindiario.com/la-repu...otacion-sexual-de-sus-dos-hijas-de-5-y-7-anos
Transporter injured by fleeing motorists
The man who was injured at gunshot when driving his SUV across the 27 de Febrero overpass with Dr. Delgado street is a member of the Federación Nacional de Transporte Amigos de Peña Gómez (Fenatrapego), a transport union affiliated to the Federación Nacional de Transporte la Nueva Opción (Fenatrano) directed by Juan Hubieres. The victim was identified by the Police as 48-year old Miguel Ángel Mejía Medina. He was fired at from a passing motorcycle. Mejía Medina was seriously injured and is at the intensive care unit of the Centro de Otorrinolaringología y Especialidades.
Mejía is from Barahona and is the owner of 15 minibuses that commute from Santo Domingo to Pedernales, Enriquillo and Neyba in the southwest. His wife is the daughter of former PRSC senator Noé Sterling Vásquez.
http://www.listindiario.com/la-repu...bre-baleado-es-el-propietario-de-15-minibuses
Tropical Storm Bret to miss the island
Tropical Storm Bret, located in the southeastern Caribbean, does not represent a threat for the Dominican Republic. Weather forecasts say it has weakened to a tropical depression. The storm is the first since the start of the Atlantic Basin Hurricane Season on 1 June 2017.
According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami, Tropical Storm Bret will pass south of the Dominican Republic tomorrow and will also weaken.
Bret has delivered strong rain and maximum sustained winds of 75 km/hour to the south east coast of Venezuela and is travelling towards the west northwest at around 33 kilometers an hour. It is expected to remain in the south west of the Caribbean for the next day or so.
http://eldia.com.do/la-tormenta-bret-se-debilitara-a-su-paso-por-el-sureste-del-caribe/
Focus on Pedro Martínez Jr: Will he sign to play pro ball?
Pedro Martínez has a 16-year old son who lives and breathes baseball. He is at a crossroads where he needs to decide whether to sign as a professional or get a regular college education while continuing to play baseball. An article in The Bleacher Report says that Pedro Martínez Sr. would like his son to stay in school.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...tinez-jr-making-own-fame-as-teen-hitting-star
http://www.listindiario.com/el-depo...o-de-pedro-martinez-tras-crear-su-propia-fama
DR has won all its 4 games in the Pan Am Volleyball Cup
The Dominican national women’s volleyball team continues to show its world class during the Pan Am Cup taking place in Lima, Peru. On Tuesday, 20 June 2017, the Dominican team won its fourth straight set victory 3-0 (25-16, 25-17, 25-20) over Cuba, one of the favorites to win the Women’s Volleyball Pan American Cup by Movistar.
Norceca reported that once again the Martinez sisters –Brayelin and Jineiry– led the offensive path for the tournament defending Dominican squad with 13 and 11 points, respectively, while the veterans Bethania De la Cuz and Gina Mambru each contributing 9 points to the victory and Annerys Vargas added eight. Heidy Casanova led Cuba with 14 points in the loss.
The Dominicans have a 4-0 win-loss record with the maximum 20 points after winning all their matches in consecutive sets. Cuba dropped to a 2-2 mark.
In Wednesday’s fifth and final day of action, the Dominicans meet Peru while Cuba faces Trinidad & Tobago.
Marcos Kwiek, coach of Dominican Republic observed: “We were favorites to win the match but the girls took it very seriously and I am very glad about that. We had to battle against a very promising young Cuban team with some very tall players.”
https://www.norceca.net/Dominican Republic with perfect record in Pool B.htm