DR1 Daily News - Friday, 19 August 2016

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Presidency orders shutdown of CERSS
Amphitheater to stay under city government
RD$1.4 billion debt at Santo Domingo government
Debt and priorities in Santo Domingo East
Flavio Dario Espinal: new legal advisor
Donald Guerrero at the Ministry of Hacienda
Miguel Vargas Maldonado at Ministry of Foreign Relations
Who is Danilo Diaz, new Minister of Sport?
ProCompetencia market studies on unfair practices
Fire on Avenida Duarte
Francina Hungria robbers sentenced to 30 and 20 years
First coercive measures in Tucanogate case
Armed robbery at Clinica Abreu
UN admits to role in onset of cholera in Haiti
Dominicans in the Olympics
Pan American Bowling Championship in Santo Domingo


Presidency orders shutdown of CERSS
The Executive Commission for the Reform of the Public Health Sector (CERSS) will be shut down and its assets transferred to the National Public Health System. Its staff will be absorbed by the Ministry of Public Health and the National Public Health System and its plans and projects will be taken over by the Ministry of Public Health.

Decree 205-16 revoked Decree 308-97 of 10 July 1997 that created the commission, which is known for its generous wages for its directors.

The public health system is currently being restructured by the Medina administration. Other recent measures include the merging of the social security system with the public health system.


Amphitheater to stay under city government
Although he said that if elected the management of the Nuryn Sanlley amphitheater in Santo Domingo’s Parque Iberoamericano would be passed on to the Ministry of Culture, Mayor David Collado now says that the venue will continue to be managed by the city government, the difference being that a committee that includes representatives of community neighborhood groups will be formed and will have a say in its running.

“The Ministry of Culture will be invited to sit on the committee but the city government will retain control over the agreements to ensure they are implemented,” said Collado, as reported in El Caribe.

He said he was also exploring the possibility of the amphitheater being used for cultural events by the students of the National Music Conservatory, which is also in the Iberoamerican Park where the amphitheater is located.

After a meeting with the La Esperilla neighborhood groups Collado announced the suspension of popular concerts in the amphitheater.

http://www.elcaribe.com.do/2016/08/18/david-collado-reitera-suspension-conciertos-nuryn-sanlley
http://www.diariolibre.com/revista/cultura/david-collado-le-devolvera-anfiteatro-a-cultura-AK3783301


RD$1.4 billion debt at Santo Domingo government
Mayor David Collado has revealed that when he took over the National District city government (ADN) he inherited RD$1.4 billion in debts taken on by his predecessor Roberto Salcedo, who served as mayor for 14 years.

Salcedo was not available for comment on the debt and the ADN press director is on sick leave, as reported in El Nacional.

On 15 June 2016, then Mayor Salcedo acknowledged that the city government was amassing debt because it was not receiving its full budget allocation.

http://elnacional.com.do/roberto-salcedo-no-aparece-para-explicar-deudas/


Debt and priorities in Santo Domingo East
Meanwhile, the new mayor of Santo Domingo East, Alfredo Martinez, says he has taken over the city government with a RD$900 million debt. Santo Domingo East is the largest municipality in the country.

Martinez said that the top priority is to get up to date with garbage collections and to eliminate all of the improvised garbage dumps across the municipality within the next 30 days.

He said he would focus on modernizing the structure of the city government with a computerized system that will enable citizens to receive services without having to go to the city government headquarters in person.

He said he would be supporting sports and cultural activities, and would be prioritizing the environment and storm drainage system.


Flavio Dario Espinal: new legal advisor
Former ambassador to the US, Flavio Dario Espinal is now President Medina’s legal advisor.

Lawyer Flavio Dario Espinal was sworn in as legal advisor to the Executive Branch on Wednesday, 17 August 2016 by his predecessor Cesar Pina Toribio. He spoke of his commitment to continue the process of modernizing the legal advisory office and to give his best legal advice to the President.

An expert in constitutional law, Espinal served as ambassador to the United States (2004-2009) and ambassador before the Organization of American States from 1996-2000. At the OAS he held the posts of Chair of the Permanent Council, Chair of the Committee on Legal and Political Issues and Chair of the Committee on Hemispherical Security. He was also co-coordinator of the civil society initiative for the “Summits of the Americas.”

He is the director and founding partner of Flavio Dario Espinal & Asociados law firm.

Espinal is a graduate in law from the PUCMM in Santiago. He also holds a Master’s degree in political sciences from the University of Essex in England and a PhD in Government from the University of Virginia, USA.

During his studies he received several scholarships from institutions of international prestige, such as the Fulbright program, the Bradley Foundation, the Dupont Foundation and the Institute of World Politics.

From 2000-2002 he was the founding Director of the Center for Conflict Resolution of the Pontificia Universidad Catolica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM) and from 2002-2004 he was Dean of the Law School at the same university, where he is currently a professor of Constitutional Law.

He practiced law in Santo Domingo, and served as consultant both to private firms and international organizations, such as the UNDP, the IDB and the OAS.

His book Constitutionalism and Political Processes in the Dominican Republic received the 2001-2002 "Pedro Henriquez Urena" Annual Essays Award. He has also published numerous articles and essays on political and constitutional issues.

He writes a weekly column in the newspaper Dario Libre.

https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias...onsultoria-juridica-del-poder-ejecutivo-video


Donald Guerrero at the Ministry of Hacienda
Donald Guerrero is a businessman who was in charge of finance for the PLD political campaign during the past elections. He has been a member of the party’s Central Committee since 2014. As reported in Diario Libre, together with Jose Miguel Gonzalez Cuadra, he is a shareholder in the securities firm, Titulos y Valores (Tivalsa).


Miguel Vargas Maldonado at Ministry of Foreign Relations
Amidst speculation that his appointment was a political prize for a key ally, the president of the leading opposition party in the 2012-2016 election, Miguel Vargas Maldonado was sworn in as Minister of Foreign Relations on Wednesday, 17 August 2016. Vargas’ lobbying with PRD senators and deputies ensured the necessary votes for the 2010 Constitution to be changed to allow President Danilo Medina to run for a second consecutive term.

Vargas replaces Andres Navarro, who was appointed Minister of Education for President Danilo Medina’s second term. Navarro, in turn, had replaced former Vice President Carlos Morales Troncoso, president of the PRSC, another opposition party-turned PLD ally, whose helm at the Ministry of Foreign Relations (Mirex) was characterized by nepotism and political favoritism that resulted in a bulging payroll.

In an editorial on Thursday, 18 August 2016, Diario Libre asks what might have led President Medina to think that he could use the Ministry of Foreign Relations as political spoils without consequences for the country. Editorial writer Ines Aizpun wonders out loud how many PRD members will fit into the Mirex structure, and how many PRD affiliates will be told they will be paid without having to show up for work?

Vargas, nonetheless, expressed optimism, saying that he would do a good job. “I will work with the best of what there is, I will also be adding the best we have,” he said on his first day, as reported in Diario Libre. He said he would be working to attract major foreign investments.

Vargas also pointed out that he does have international experience. He said that he had been involved in the PRD’s international relations and had accompanied late party leader Jose Francisco Pena Gomez on many of his trips abroad with the Socialist International organization. He said he has attended meetings of several international organizations and had served as president of the Permanent Conference of Political Parties of Latin America and the Caribbean (COPPPAL) as well as global vice president for the Socialist International and president for Latin America.

“We are going to put all those relationships and that experience at the service of the Ministry of Foreign Relations, the President of the Republic and especially the country,” he said, adding that he would consolidate the work of former Minister Andres Navarro.

Vargas is a businessman and civil engineer, a graduate of the University of Puerto Rico. He is the son of the founder of the Induveca meats company, the late Pedro Rivera.

In 2011 he declared personal assets of RD$101.6 million. He was Minister of Public Works during the President Hipolito Mejia administration (2000-2004).

He has been the president of the PRD since 2009.

In the government of PRD President, the late Salvador Jorge Blanco (1982-1986) he was director of the City Waterworks Company (CAASD). In 1997 he ran for mayor of Santo Domingo as the PRD candidate and lost. He also ran for President on the PRD ticket in 2008 and lost.

http://www.diariolibre.com/noticias...-ministros-y-el-flamante-procurador-BL4692289


Who is Danilo Diaz, new Minister of Sport?
President Danilo Medina has appointed Danilo Diaz as new Minister of Sports. News media say he had been hoping for the post for more than 20 years, since he served as deputy Minister of Sports during the first PLD government, under President Leonel Fernandez in 1997, and was subsequently named director of the Migration agency. He was a key figure in the National Sports Games in Mao 1997. Diaz is credited with being one of the leading minds behind the PLD sports platform.

When confirmed as Minister of Sports, Diaz said he would use his vast experience as a leader in the national sports club movement in order to restore and maintain all the sports installations in the Dominican Republic. He was the president of the Club San Lazaro.

Diaz announced he would be prioritizing sports development in public schools, especially at the extended day schools where new sports facilities have been built.

Since 2012 he served as special assistant to President Medina and head of electoral affairs for the ruling PLD at the Central Electoral Board (JCE).

An online search for Diaz, nevertheless, shows his business links. The New York Daily News reported in 2015 that Diaz “was slapped with a US$75,000 penalty and banned from any further real estate sales in New York. Travel agency head Rivas also paid a $25,000 penalty” in the case of property sales at the Pueblo Bavaro residential area in Punta Cana.

http://eldia.com.do/danilo-diaz-se-propone-pacto-para-desarrollar-deporte-en-rd/
http://eldia.com.do/20-anos-no-es-nada-2/autor/bienvenidocarmona/
http://www.diariolibre.com/deportes...ollo-deportivo-y-el-deporte-escolar-YG4697616
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/pol...an-recovers-cash-condo-scam-article-1.2129890


ProCompetencia market studies on unfair practices
Monopolistic practices in three sectors have been unveiled in three studies carried out by ProCompetencia Commission. The entity has been able to take other actions given that Congress has held up the designation of its executive director.

Meanwhile, Michelle Cohen of ProCompetencia says that the three research papers describe the situation of the frequent and illegal abuse against consumers, Dominican economy and competition itself because of the barriers that are created.

The three studies are on the beer market, pharmaceuticals and insurance sectors.
The study on the beer market reveals that the Cerveceria Nacional Dominicana concentrates 99% of the beer sales in the country and has been engaging in anti-competitive practices that have generated additional revenues of RD$7 billion. The study says that after CND became the monopoly in the market, the company has increased prices (before taxes) 52%, in the case of Presidente beer, 128% in case of Brahma and 59% in case of Bohemia beer. The research says that the company demands exclusivity in order to dispatch the beer to vendors.

In the case of pharmaceuticals, new research describes that there are 456 pharmaceutical corporations in the country, but that 20 of them control 65% of sales. It explains the wholesale import and distribution serves as a bottleneck for the development of competitive sales. It mentions the existence of barriers for new product entrance, existence of exclusivity distribution contracts, and price setting agreements. Wholesaler profit margins are 20-40% compared to 10% in other countries.

The study on the insurance sector mentions that the Superintendence of Insurance has not issued authorizations for entry to market but instead demands the acquisition of an insurance company in financial difficulties. This is deemed a serious restriction to competition. It mentions the excessive linkages between banks and insurance companies. It reveals that credit for a vehicle or a home mortgage is tied to an insurance policy from a company affiliated to the lending bank. With 33 companies in operation, the market is controlled by four companies Seguros Universal (25.27% marketshare, affiliated with Banco Popular), Seguros BanReservas (18.66% marketshare, affiliated with BanReservas), Mapfre (15% marketshare, affiliated with Banco BHD-Leon) and Colonial de Seguros (10% marketshare).

The studies were carried out by the National Commission for the Defense of Competition and financed by the Inter-American Development Bank.

The Brazilian-owned Cerveceria Nacional Dominicana called the findings unfounded and denied it incurs in unfair practices and abuse of monopolistic position.

http://www.diariolibre.com/economia...la-abusos-de-monopolios-dominicanos-XI4684918
http://eldia.com.do/cerveceria-niega-practica-desleal/
http://eldia.com.do/mercado-de-seguros-de-la-republica-dominicana-esta-cerrado/


Fire on Avenida Duarte
A fire consumed the Almacenes Rodriguez general store on Av. Duarte, Santo Domingo’s low-cost shopping street on Thursday afternoon, 18 August 2016. The Payless shoe store next door was also damaged. The fire started at around 3pm.

Firefighters were affected by a lack of water in the hydrants in the area. The fire led to the early closure of many of the stores on the leading shopping street. No victims have been reported.

http://www.elcaribe.com.do/2016/08/18/incendio-afecta-almacenes-rodriguez-duarte


Francina Hungria robbers sentenced to 30 and 20 years
The National District Court of Appeals has confirmed the 30 and 20-year sentences for the three men who shot and blinded engineer Francina Hungria in 2012 while stealing her vehicle. She was working near the point where she was attacked.

Jose Miguel Vidal Feliz and Jose Manuel Arias were sentenced to 30 years in jail. Melvin Perez was sentenced to 20 years. The thieves were ordered to serve their sentence in Azua. Vidal Feliz and Arias were ordered to pay five million pesos in compensation.


First coercive measures in Tucanogate case
The National District court hearing the alleged bribery case in the US$93 million purchase of turboprop aircraft, the so-called Super Tucanos, has ordered three months pre-trial custody for Colonel Carlos Piccini Nunez in Najayo Jail, but restricted the coercive measures for Defense Minister Pedro Rafael Pena Antonio to an exit ban and regular court appearances.

Judge Jose Alejandro Vargas also ordered availability for court appearances and electronic tags for businessman Daniel Aquino Hernandez and his son Daniel Aquino Mendez, all accused in the Tucanogate bribery case.

The three were ordered to remain in the National District and Santo Domingo province.

http://www.elcaribe.com.do/2016/08/18/declaran-complejo-caso-soborno-por-super-tucano
http://acento.com.do/2016/actualidad/8374276-dictan-coercion-implicados-caso-soborno-embraer-tucano/
http://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303618904579172070636222040
http://www.diariolibre.com/noticias...cano-y-el-interes-de-estados-unidos-CX4707466


Armed robbery at Clinica Abreu
A man who has yet to be identified and caught robbed the mother of a child hospitalized with dengue on the fourth floor of Clinica Abreu in Santo Domingo on Sunday, 14 August 2016. The man posed as a patient visiting the Referencia Laboratory for lab tests, and then robbed the caretaker of the patient in the hospital room. He told the patients to go into the bathroom while he stole their personal belongings, as reported in El Nacional.

Rafael Duval said that his wife Melisa Llaveria was looking after their 10-year old daughter when they were robbed in room 408 between 6:30-7pm. The thief stole his wife’s handbag with RD$1,500 in cash and her documents.

He also entered room 409 where a niece of journalist Maribel Lozada was being treated, but was not able to take anything.

The thief was described as white, black hair, almost six feet tall, 40-45 years of age. He was wearing a yellow polo shirt and blue jeans.

El Nacional reports that the thief also tried to enter room 407, but was locked out by a woman accompanying the patient there.

General Ney Bautista of the Police Central Criminal Investigations department said an investigation is underway, which includes checking the surveillance videos.

As reported, the clinic returned the RD$1,500 in cash that had been stolen to the victim and the RD$5,000 cash deposit.

Nevertheless, Duval complained that to date neither the Police nor the clinic had called him to give information on the progress of the case.


UN admits to role in onset of cholera in Haiti
For the first time ever, the United Nations has publicly admitted responsibility for the cholera outbreak in Haiti. The disease subsequently spread to the Dominican Republic.

Research had shown that the cholera outbreak entered the country in 2010 via infected United Nations peacekeepers from Nepal. Cholera is estimated to have killed some 10,000 people in Haiti and almost 500 in the Dominican Republic since 2010.

Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has now acknowledged that the UN played a role in the initial outbreak.

http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/18/world/americas/united-nations-haiti-cholera.html?_r=0


Dominicans in the Olympics
Thursday 18 August:
Athletics: Track and field relay 4 x 100 meters (Yancarlos Martinez, Youndry Andujar, Stanly del Carmen and Mayobanex de Oleo) were disqualified from running in heat 1 due to a false start attributed to De Oleo.

The competitions continue on Friday 19 August:
Taekwondo: Katherine Rodriguez (67kg)
Judo: Moises Hernandez (80 kg)
Athletics: Men’s 4 x 400 meters relay: the runners will be chosen from Luguelin Santos, Juander Santos, Maximo Elias Mejia, Luis Enrique Charles, Gustavo Cuesta and Yon Soriano.
https://www.rio2016.com


Pan American Bowling Championship in Santo Domingo
The Pan American Bowling Championship will be held from 22-27 August 2016 in the Sebelen Bowling Center in Santo Domingo. Around 200 athletes from 17 countries in the Americas will be participating.

The event is being organized by the Dominican Bowling Federation.

Read more on ongoing and upcoming events at:
http://www.dr1.com/calendar


Archives for Daily Headline News:
http://dr1.com/premium/news/2016/index.shtml

Archives for Travel & Tourism News:
http://dr1.com/travelnews/archive.shtml
 
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