DR1 Daily News - Thursday, 3 August 2017

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May 3, 2000
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DR1 News' Friday updates to be compiled with Monday news
Channel 17 will broadcast educational programs
Bandex has RD$6 billion to lend to exporters in 2018
Migration Agency says 13,446 foreigners deported in July 2017
DR and MLB to make it harder for foreign ballplayers to audition for scouts
Fidelio Despradel against allowing mining in San Juan de la Maguana
Hotel and restaurant workers protest at ProComsumidor
Asonahores asks Senate to reject proposal on holidays
Accident leaves thousands without electricity in Santiago
Bernardo Castellanos returns to face Odebrecht charges
Marcha Verde accuses government of using violence against movement
Forensic report reveals shot was from a “chilena”
Samana prosecutor fired for sexual harassment
Police recover lots of cash from home robbery
Earthquake recorded in San Jose de Ocoa
Rough seas and rains
61st Caribbean Amateur Golf Championships in La Romana
India Culinary Festival at Embassy Suites
“Tres” opens at Bellas Artes on 11 August



DR1 News' Friday updates to be compiled with Monday news
DR1 Daily News will be compiling Friday breaking news into the Monday’s issues through August on the occasion of the summer vacations. The news will not be published on Fridays through the end of August. Enjoy the summer vacation with the family! For breaking news on Fridays, check the DR1 Forums where news and commentaries can be posted 24/7.


Channel 17 will broadcast educational programs
Ministry of Education and the State Radio and Television Corporation (CERTV) signed an agreement to dedicate the TV Channel 17 frequency exclusively to educational programming, announced Ellis Perez, president of the CERTV board. The Ministry’s radio and television education division will be in charge of the programming.

The announcement was made on occasion of commemorating the 65th anniversary of the start of television in the Dominican Republic.

The agreement was signed by Education Minister Andrés Navarro and the director of CERTV, Ramon Tejada Read in the presence of the Communications director for the Presidency, Roberto Rodríguez Marchena.

Navarro said the Ministry will be investing RD$105 million in the project that includes the setting up of installations for educational radio and television, production of educational audiovisuals and the hiring of international programming.


Bandex has RD$6 billion to lend to exporters in 2018
The general manager of the National Exports Bank (Bandex), Guarocuya Félix says the bank has available RD$6 billion to promote exports. He said Bandex would be reaching out to the top 100 exporters in the country to explain the role of Bandex in promoting exports. He says the funds can be used for expanding manufacturing plants and other investments for exporters to become more competitive.


Migration Agency says 13,446 foreigners deported in July 2017
The Migration Agency (DGM) reported that some 13,446 illegal foreigners were repatriated to their respective countries during the month of July 2017. According to Diario Libre, persons from Colombia, Cuba, France, Haiti, Peru, Venezuela and Russia were among those deported. This brings the total to 38,426 persons repatriated in 2017.

According to the DGM, there were 21,403 persons entering the country across the border with Haiti and 18,447 persons going from the Dominican Republic into Haiti, mostly through the town of Jimani, the main point for land crossings.


DR and MLB to make it harder for foreign ballplayers to audition for scouts
The combination of abundant native talent that can be evaluated periodically over short distances, the operation of 30 baseball academies in the country run by Major League Baseball teams and the existence of an office of Major League Baseball (MLB) in Santo Domingo, makes the Dominican Republic a continental hub for recruiting and developing young baseball players. All this, plus being a few hours from most MLB offices in the United States poses a tantalizing option for young ballplayers and their caretakers to make their way to the Dominican Republic for tryouts.

However, these competitive advantages have also triggered an uncontrolled flow of teenagers coming to the Dominican Republic from all around the Americas. The youngsters, who come in pursuit of their dream of making it to the Major Leagues, often find themselves victims of abuses, which MLB and the Dominican Migration Agency wish to put a stop to.

It appears that the group that set off the alarm is from Venezuela. Hundreds of Venezuelans have migrated to the country, spurred by the current political turmoil in their native country. Among these, dozens have come given the difficulties that Major League Baseball teams have traveling to Venezuela to recruit ballplayers. These factors have led to an unprecedented influx of Venezuelan teenagers into the Dominican Republic.

Cuban ballplayers, who encounter obstacles in their home country to sign with MLB teams, have also immigrated to the Dominican Republic, many times without parental permission.

On Tuesday, the Migration Agency enacted a set of instructions that will regulate the entry and permanence in this country of foreigners who are pursuing careers in baseball. Now prospects interested in exhibiting their talents or training in the country will have to obtain a different sort of visa, called the NM (multiple business) that can be granted by the Ministry of Foreign Relations if the applicant has a valid passport (at least six months from expiring), a return ticket, and an address where he will be staying in the country. If the ballplayers are minors, they must present an authorization signed by either parents or legal guardians.

https://www.diariolibre.com/deporte...os-prospectos-extranjeros-exhibirse-AJ7784570


Fidelio Despradel against allowing mining in San Juan de la Maguana
Deputy Fidelio Despradel again warns the Ministry of Environment against granting the environmental permission for gold mining in the Yaque del Sur farming area. He notes that mining would negatively impact water sources in San Juan de la Maguana, Elías Piña, Bahoruco and other communities.

Despradel has been opposing the operations of GoldQuest that he says wants to install operations for the Romero project three kilometers from the Sabaneta Dam. “There is a water crisis in San Juan, where this year we have only been able to have one harvest of beans because of serious irrigation problems. If the mine is installed, the producers will go bankrupt and the community will enter into crisis,” said the Alianza País deputy. Despradel says there are no guarantees that the processed wastes from the mining operation will not affect the waters in the area.

https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...a-al-valle-de-san-juan-y-region-sur-YK7792155


Hotel and restaurant workers protest at ProComsumidor
Dozens of employees of hotels and restaurants demonstrated on Wednesday, 1 August 2017, in front of the ProConsumidor, the consumer defense body of the government. They protested the move by ProConsumidor to eliminate the obligatory 10% charge on food and beverage consumptions. The Superior Administrative Court recently ordered that the 10% not be levied on takeout orders, but kept the surcharge for deliveries.

Carrying signs and escorted by members of the National Police, cooks, delivery men, bartenders and cooks demanded for the reversal of these policies. Alexis Matos, the spokesman for the group, said that the income from the obligatory tip is a vital supplement to the low salaries they receive and under no circumstance are they willing to have the 10% removed from their wages.

https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...estaron-hoy-frente-a-pro-consumidor-NE7789852


Asonahores asks Senate to reject proposal affecting long weekends
The leadership of the Hotel and Tourism Association of the Dominican Republic (Asonahores) has called the recent effort to eliminate Law 0139–97, “a stab in the heart for domestic tourism.” Law 139–97 allows for movable days of certain holidays, such as Labor Day or Constitution Day. The moving of these creates long weekends that stimulate domestic tourism.

Asonahores says similar moves to change the law in 2014 were rejected by the Senate. Asonahores again trusts this legislation will also not pass into law.

What is known is that some deputies are trying to obtain a ban to moving religious holidays as well as others, and this means the reversal of the current law.

The current law defines five holidays that are not movable: 1 and 21 January, 27 February, 24 September and 25 December. There are five days that are moved to Monday when they coincide with the workday, and these are: 6 January (Three Kings Day), 26 January (Duarte’s birthday), 1 May (Labor Day), Restoration Day (16 August – when it does not coincide with a presidential inauguration), and 6 November (Constitution Day).

If the Senate were to approve these changes suggested by the Chamber of Deputies, only two days would be movable: 16 August and 6 November. This would reduce the positive impact of the law on the economy that was enacted in June 1997 by President Leonel Fernandez.

http://eldia.com.do/asociacion-de-h...-mutilar-ley-que-permite-mover-dias-feriados/


Accident leaves thousands without electricity in Santiago
A major traffic accident on the Duarte Highway, some 10 km before reaching the city of Santiago, knocked out electricity for thousands of homes and businesses in the area. According to EdeNorte, the accident occurred at 5pm and forced EdeNorte to shut down the Cana 103 and Cana 108 circuits. Because of this, there was no electricity in Canabacoa, Colorado, Arenoso, Laguna Prieta, Guayabal and Tavera. Those residing on the road to the Tavera Dam, businesses along Duarte Highway between the entrance to Moca and the entrance to the Cibao International Airport were also affected.

EdeNorte reported that minutes after the accident occurred, technicians began repairs to restore power within 12 hours.

https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...s-de-santiago-sin-energia-electrica-XE7789110


Bernardo Castellanos returns to face Odebrecht charges
The 14th man who faces charges in the Odebrecht bribes case arrived yesterday, 2 August 2017 from Panama to Las Americas International Airport and was awaited by National District prosecutors who arrested him. Castellanos spent his first night at the jail of the National District prosecutors offices. His lawyer Marino Elsevyf said the arrest was illegal and arbitrary because the arrest order was not issued by the judge who is preparing the case. Castellanos had been summoned to appear in court on Friday, 4 August.

Because he was abroad, Castellanos’ case will be heard separately from the 13 others charged in the Odebrecht bribes case. The others are Temístocles Montás, Víctor Díaz Rúa, Conrado Pittaluga, Andrés Bautista, Ruddy González, César Sánchez, Máximo De Óleo, Radhamés Segura, Roberto Rodríguez Hernández, Julio César Valentín, Tommy Alberto Galán and Alfredo Pacheco.

Bernardo Castellanos was director for hydroelectric projects for the Empresa de Generación Hidroeléctrica Dominicana (EgeHID) from 2000 to 2004. The Attorney General accuses him of having received money from Odebrecht lobbyist Angel Rondón to give a favorable opinion on the construction of the Pinalito hydroelectric. Castellanos said that the construction of Pinalito began after he left the post. He said he acted as a technician, without a role in the Public Electricity Corporation (CDEEE) and thus did not have a deciding vote in the implementation of the project.

https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...l-de-fiscalia-del-distrito-nacional-YF7799067


Marcha Verde accuses government of using violence against movement
On Wednesday, 2 August 2017, the civic group called March Verde accused the government of trying to instill fear in the population and especially in members of their organization. In a press communiqué, the Marcha Verde lamented the death of a FALPO leader in San Francisco de Macoris as well as police aggression and the use of riot police against members of Los Cañeros in the National District. Marcha Verde calls for a full investigation into the incident in San Francisco de Macoris.

Specifically, the movement singled out the death of one of the principal leaders of the “Broad Front of Popular Struggle” (FALPO) in San Francisco de Macoris during a 48-hour public demonstration as a sign that the authorities are trying to intimidate people gathering to peacefully protest.

The Marcha Verde says there is no way to justify the tear gas attack against Los Cañeros since the movement is well known for years for expressing its opinions in an organized and pacific manner.

This Sunday, 6 August, there will be a march in the town of Nagua, the provincial capital of Maria Trinidad Sanchez province.


Forensic report reveals shot was from a “chilena”
General Nelson Rosario, the spokesman for the National Police, told a press conference on Wednesday afternoon that the shot that killed Vladimir Baldera (El Cacu), came from a homemade weapon called a “chilena” and was fired from a short distance away. General Rosario said that the investigation and forensic work had been headed by the director of Internal Affairs, General Garcia Cuevas, as well as inspector General Sarita.

Rosario indicated that the preliminary examination determined that police agents who were on duty in the area were some two blocks away from the place where the FALPO leader Baldera was shot and killed. He added that according to information gathered by the police commission that is investigating the incident, at the moment that the FALPO leader was shot there were no disturbances. They are also trying to find out if it is true that the shot that killed the popular leader was carried out by two hooded men, as some eyewitnesses are claiming.

The death of the FALPO leader caused members of the Marcha Verde to protest against government violence. It also caused the state university to close for a day after classes on the campus with the Police.

http://eldia.com.do/policia-dice-di...a-dirigente-falpo-se-realizo-con-una-chilena/


Samana prosecutor fired for sexual harassment
News commentators are wondering how such a person could have been named prosecutor, but regardless, it took the Judicial Branch over a year to fire Samana prosecutor Robert Francis Justo Bobadilla, after seven women, including four employees, accused him of sexual harassment.

The firing took place on Tuesday, 1 August 2017, by the Inspectoría de la Procuraduría General de la República after witnesses appeared before the Disciplinary Council of the Public Ministry. Four Samana prosecutor office employees filed the sexual harassment claim against him for obliging them to have sex with him at their workplace.

Another of the pieces of evidence was an interview TV investigative journalist Alicia Ortega had done with one of his victims for her El Informe program. The woman said she suffered sexual aggression when she went to file a claim for gender violence at the prosecutor office.

Justo Bobadilla defended himself alleging a group of lawyers who were angered by his recent decisions had orchestrated the women’s sexual harassment stories. The group of lawyers was supposedly upset with Bobadilla when the prosecutor aggressively pursued charges against drug traffickers who supposedly had connections to officials.

But the Disciplinary Council of the Public Ministry declared him at fault for committing serious violations in the exercise of his duties and ordered that he not be allowed to hold office in the Public Ministry or any other government post for five years.
Justo Bobadilla may now tried in court to answer the sexual harassment charges against him.

http://almomento.net/conceden-licencia-a-fiscal-samana-acusado-de-acoso-sexual-por-ciudadanos/189512
http://www.listindiario.com/la-repu...lar-de-la-fiscalia-de-samana-por-acoso-sexual
http://elnacional.com.do/destituido-fiscal-enfrenta-graves-cargos-de-acoso/


Police recover lots of cash from home robbery
The National Police reported have recovered RD$2.5 million and US$2,000 of a reported US$223,000 of cash reported stolen during a robbery of residence. In addition, vehicles, household goods, jewelry and cell phones were reportedly stolen by a gang of thieves on 17 July 2017.

The robbery report was filed by Vanessa Peña, daughter of government officer Evergito Peña Acosta, administrative and financial director of the Consejo Nacional para el Cambio Climatico. Peña is the brother of chief of the Armada in the Dominican Republic, Vice Admiral Miguel Enrique Peña Acosta.

The Police say six suspects have been arrested, and one is still at large.
Judge José Alejandro Vargas ordered three months pre-trial custody for Otto Gaspar Féliz Alcántara, at La Victoria jail. Others receiving pre-trial custody were Matías Goiscou Vargas (Keko), and Junior Correa González (Cuba). The Police confiscated a vehicle Coiscou Vargas had recently purchased for RD$600,000 at a dealer.

The Police say arrested in the case are Jorge Luis Valdez Figuereo, lover of the Los Ríos house maid Deyanira Barrera Bravo; also Salvador Antonio López (Pinguilo); Junior Correa González (Cuba), who were arrested in Bonao; and Matías Coiscou Vargas (Keko).

The file on the case explains that on Tuesday, 17 July, around 9:30am, Vanessa Raquel Peña Rodríguez was at work when she received a call from a person interested in buying her vehicle. She showed the vehicle to Matías Coiscou Vargas, who was accompanied by supposed mechanics. These ‘mechanics’ requested to test drive the vehicle. Minutes later, the ‘mechanics’ returned and forced her to take them to her home where they committed the robbery at Calle Mao 14, Los Ríos.

As reported, Coiscou Vargas went with Vanessa to the bedroom from where the objects were stolen as well as the US$223,000 that were in a suitcase belonging to her father.

http://elnacional.com.do/recuperan-parte-dinero-roban-a-funcionario/
http://elnacional.com.do/pn-no-identifica-dueno-de-us223-mil-robados/


Earthquake recorded in San Jose de Ocoa
A 4.2 Richter scale magnitude earthquake was reported at 5:25pm with its epicenter some 12 km north of central San José de Ocoa city, at a depth of 10 kilometers. The earthquake was felt as a moderate shake in Santo Domingo.

The Seismological Institute of the Santo Domingo Autonomous University (UASD) said the earthquake was felt in Santo Domingo and beyond. They had initial reports from as far northeast as Cotuí. It was felt strongly in Los Alcarrizos, San Cristóbal, Monte Plata, Azua and Baní.

UASD seismologist Félix Martínez told El Caribe that the earthquake occurred at 18.6 latitude north and 70.4 longitude west.

The USGS originally reported the earthquake at 4.7 magnitude, but later reduced this to 4.3 magnitude.


Rough seas and rains
According to the National Weather Office (Onamet), abnormally high seas along the Atlantic and Caribbean coastline as well as thunderstorms will be affecting the island. From Barahona to La Romana swells are expected to be over 8 feet and in the Atlantic from La Altagracia to Puerto Plata, some 7-foot swells are expected. Small boat warnings are in effect. Bathers at the nation’s beaches in these areas should also be aware of the abnormal waves that can produce dangerous rip tides.

Forecaster José Medina predicted thunderstorms for La Altagracia, El Seibo, La Romana, San Pedro de Macoris, Monte Plata, Samana, San Cristobal, Peravia, Azua and Barahona as a result of a tropical wave that is crossing the national territory.


61st Caribbean Amateur Golf Championships in La Romana
The Dominican Republic and Puerto Rican national golf teams on Wednesday, 2 August 2017 were leading the 61st Caribbean Amateur Golf Championships taking place at The Links golf course in Casa de Capo. Eight countries are participating in the tournament that is organized by the Dominican Golf Federation (Fedogolf) and the Caribbean Golf Association (CGA). Bahamas was third, followed by Trinidad & Tobago.

The two best Dominican players were Juan Campusano and Juan José Guerra. Stephany Kim was leading in the women’s division.

The event is taking place 30 July to 5 August 2017. The teams are competing for the Hoerman Cup (men) and the George Teale Memorial Trophy (women).

https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=Caribbean Amateur Golf Championship 2017


India Culinary Festival at Embassy Suites
The Embassy of India invites the public to a gastronomical festival on occasion of the 70th anniversary of the independence of India. For the event, the Embassy of India and the Restaurant Agatha of the Embassy Suites by Hilton will be serving dishes prepared by two chefs traveling from India for the festival. The India Culinary Festival will take place from 6 to 10 August 2017.


“Tres” opens at Bellas Artes on 11 August
With the performances of Hony Estrella, Evelyna Rodríguez, José Guillermo Cortines and Laura Leclerc, “Tres” will be staged on 11, 12 and 13 August 2017, at the Palacio de Bellas Artes. The comedy is directed by Richardson Díaz and produced by Natacha Rojas and Haffet Saba.

The plot involves three former class mates who meet after 14 years. None of the three have yet been a mother. The three then decide to have a child, but all from the same father.

Tickets are RD$700 and RD$1,000 and are for sale at Uepa Tickets, Supermercados Nacional, Jumbo and at the Palacio de Bellas Artes box office.