President Danilo Medina says he could run again in 2020
Back to school
RD$10 million in bonuses for Dominican medal-winning athletes
Drought affects farm produce
KEPCO signs US$37.8 M project in Dominican Republic
Puerto Plata Mayor announces advances on city dump
Sad news on infant mortality
All eyes on Angel Rondon in Odebrecht corruption case
Comparing competitiveness indicators for 2012 and 2012: DR has stagnated
PLD elects Senate leadership on unanimous vote
The good and the bad of the new political party law according to Participacion Ciudadana
Celso Marranzini praises Falconbridge
Seedstars is looking for the best start up in the Dominican Republic
Dominican ambassador in Germany dies of heart attack
Douglas Bournigal and Bruno Vincent die in ultra light crash
Police confirm death by suicide of sergeant Montero at US Embassy
National District prosecutors announces arrest of Luis Jose Asilis for tax fraud
Child sexual abuser sentenced to jail in Florida
More fallout from Dominican Day Parade in NYC
Amanda Mena stars again on live AGT
DR wins gold in Women’s U-23 Pan American Cup
President Danilo Medina says he could run again in 2020
In a televised interview with TV host Jatna Tavarez, President Danilo Medina said he would not say whether he would seek reelection until March 2019. The electoral calendar establishes that political parties need to select their candidates to the 2020 general elections by October 2019. To run for a second reelection, President Danilo Medina would need to promote an amendment of the Constitution. This would be a second time, because he already did so in 2016 in order to run for reelection in 2016. The 2015 Constitution impedes a President from office for more than two terms.
"The new Political Parties Law establishes deadlines for everything, including ... a date on which the parties have to register the candidates and establishes a date for the primaries and that is in the second semester of next year. Now, we inside the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) have decided that we would talk about it in March of next year, and at that moment I will fix my position before the country; meanwhile I want to make a good government," said the President speaking from the Presidential Palace. He expressed his opinion that once the PLD chooses its presidential candidate, all members of the party would rally in support.
He defended the checks and controls his government has instated to control corruption, and stressed the Judicial Branch operates with complete independence.
He defended his reticence to stand for questioning by journalists. He said these generate controversies and said that he prefers “to work.”
While President Medina is not available for interview by the working press, the administration is best known for its major spending in government propaganda to highlight the work of the President through multiple channels in all media. Just last Monday, 13 August 2018, the Presidency published four page spreads in the leading Dominican print media to highlight government achievements during the first two years of the 2016-2020 term. The publication coincided with the successful happening of the Green March on the previous Sunday that was the leading story of the Monday newspapers. The front pages highlighted the success of the protest were covered by the advertising feature paid for by the Presidency. Media analysts considered the promotion cost taxpayers upwards of RD$10 million.
Coinciding with the President’s conversation with TV host Tavarez, the leading opposition party, the PRM, published a report on the two first years of President Danilo Medina’s second term. The report mentions the Medina administration has managed US$78 billion in resources from 2012 to 2018, but criticized major deficiencies in security, combating corruption, jobs, child mortality, quality of education, access to eating, and public debt.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ab42B8vH5k
https://www.listindiario.com/la-rep...nilo-pone-fecha-para-decidir-sobre-reeleccion
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2018/08...ara-en-marzo-su-posicion-sobre-la-reeleccion/
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2018/08...oy-haciendo-uno-de-los-gobiernos-mas-pulcros/
https://elnuevodiario.com.do/danilo...eleccion-no-se-siente-aludido-con-corrupcion/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDe48aKhCtI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45FJAdRE6Vw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSxF3KIF2I8
https://www.metrord.do/do/noticias/...a-los-6-anos-del-presidente-medina-poder.html
Back to school
Expect traffic to return to its chaotic normal levels in the National District as the country’s school children return to school. The Ministry of Education has announced the start of school for Monday, 20 August 2018. The Ministry says that 2,826,773 students are enrolled in schools across the country. The enrollment includes 348,752 in pre-school, 1,242,025 in elementary, 943,219 in high school, and 292,777 in adult education. There are 2,205,543 enrolled in public schools and another 621,230 in private schools.
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2018/08...-todo-esta-listo-para-inicio-del-ano-escolar/
RD$10 million in bonuses for Dominican medal-winning athletes
The Ministry of Sports says it has paid out more than RD$10 million in incentives for Dominican athletes who brought back 107 medals from the Central American and Caribbean Games that ended this August 2018 in Barranquilla, Colombia. The incentives include RD$125,000 in cash for each the 25 gold medal winners, RD$80,000 each for the 29 who won silver and RD$40,000 each for the 53 who won bronze. Victor Estrella, who won three gold medals, would receive a single bonus of RD$250,000. Gold Medal-winning volleyball and handball teams will receive RD$1 million each.
INVI director announced the government agency would be in contact to supervise the dwellings of the athletes. The media focused on the precarious housing situation in which gold medalist weight lifter Estefania Soriano was living. After the win, TV journalist Nuria Piera had reported on how Dominican top athletes live.
As part of the good news for the athletes, Sports Minister Danilo Diaz also announced that gold medalists will now make RD$20,000 a month as part of the PARNI program, silver medalists will receive RD$15,000 a month and bronze medalists RD$10,000. He said this increases the allotment to athletes from RD$1.8 million to RD$3 million a month. He also announced an increase from RD$4,000 to RD$5,000 for athletes already participating in the program and that did not win medals in the Barranquilla games. He announced increases would be forthcoming for the coaches.
Earlier, the Presidency had announced that all medal winners would be affiliated to the sports programs under the Ministry of Armed Forces, if they were not already. As part of this support, the recruits are on the military payroll without having to do active duty.
http://miderec.gob.do/medallistas-de-oro-recibiran-125-mil-pesos-del-miderec/
https://www.diariolibre.com/deporte...ilar-atletas-medallistas-en-juegos-AH10538855
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_enulSouQc
Drought affects farm produce
The Ministry of Agriculture has requested that rice farmers not plan for a third harvest this year because they may not have enough water to do so. Agriculture Minister Osmar Benitez said that the drought has affected the water levels in reservoirs, and the water available for human consumption.
He spoke at the Presidency after meeting with President Danilo Medina to report on the situation. The water levels are below the normal for this time of the year.
He mentioned the dams of Sabaneta, Rincon, Valdesia, Tavera-Bao, Moncion, Rio Blanco, Pinalito, Palomino.
Farmers in the San Juan de la Maguana valley estimate in RD$95 million losses so far for the drought.
http://eldia.com.do/sequia-podria-afectar-la-siembra-de-habichuela-en-toda-la-region-sur/
KEPCO signs US$37.8M project in Dominican Republic
The state-run Korea Electric Corp. (KEPCO) announced on Friday, 17 August 2018 that it has won a US$37.8 million project to replace or build new power distribution facilities in the Dominican Republic. The company has received an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) order to improve power management systems, including telegraph poles, electric wire, transformers and power meters, in the southern and eastern areas of the Dominican Republic for the next two years. The company explains that the project is aimed at reducing the republic's electricity transmission loss rate, which is about 30%, and enhancing its power infrastructure to handle rising energy demands.
It is the third EPC project in the Dominican Republic, following previous ones in 2011 and 2016. The accumulated sales from the three projects amount to US$140 million, the Korean firm said.
http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2018/08/17/0200000000AEN20180817003200320.html
Puerto Plata Mayor announces advances on city dump
The Mayor of Puerto Plata Walter Musa announced that the central government has committed to provide RD$550 million for the purchase of land beside the Puerto Plata waste dump for the construction of a garbage recycling plant. He said President Danilo Medina authorized him to make the announcement. He said the project will be executed as part of an agreement between the Ministry of Tourism and the city government. He said the property had not been purchased previously because they had not reached an agreement with the owners.
Recently, Puerto Plata senator Jose Ignacio Paliza had urged a solution to the waste dump saying that it was endangering the advances made in tourism development in the area. Recently, a Carnival Cruise ship with more than 5,000 tourists aboard did not dock at the port. The reason given was technical reasons.
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...lones-en-vertedero-de-puerto-plata-LM10580913
https://www.listindiario.com/la-rep...36/invertiran-rd-550-millones-en-vertedero-pp
Sad news on infant mortality
Official news coming from the Ministry of Public Health presents the sad figure of almost 2,000 infant deaths so far this year in the Dominican Republic. This is 431 more than during the same period last year, according to the most recent bulletin on epidemiology from the Ministry of Public Health.
The information that was published on the ministry’s website and revealed that during the most recent week some 49 newly born babies died versus 56 during the same period last year. Throughout the nation, 258 babies have died in the last four weeks. The highest percentage (73%) of the infants died within the first 27 days of life. In relation to maternity deaths, the Ministry reported that it has registered 110, just one less than last year. In a further note, the ministry says that some 32 persons have died this year from leptospirosis, eight from tetanus, three from whooping cough, two from meningitis, one from dengue and one from human rabies.
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...ido-en-lo-que-va-de-ano-en-el-pais-ND10571084
All eyes on Angel Rondon in Odebrecht corruption case
The talk of the town over the long weekend was the statements by commercial representative of Odebrecht, Angel Rondon regarding his contractual conditions with Odebrecht regarding the Punta Catalina power plant. A document where reportedly it is confirmed that Odebrecht contracted to pay him US$20 million for the securing of the contract for the Punta Catalina power plant, has revved up the discussions.
The Attorney General has not included the Punta Catalina Odebrecht-contracted power plant in the investigations, despite it being the biggest single contract transacted with the Brazilian construction company.
Rondon has said he expects to be cleared in the case. News commentators say Rondon is key to the unfolding of the Odebrecht corruption case in the Dominican Republic. Rondon has argued he received payments from Odebrecht as fees for his services.
A commentary in El Dia on 17 August 2018 observes that as Rondon’s case goes, so will the others. If evidence that he received the money for bribes is not produced, it will be difficult to implicate others.
http://eldia.com.do/o-todos-toros-o-todos-vacas-la-logica-de-rondon/
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...ondon-por-gestionar-punta-catalina-IB10554628
Comparing competitiveness indicators for 2012 and 2012: DR has stagnated
Former Central Bank general manager, Pedro Silverio Alvarez, concludes in his op-ed contribution to Diario Libre on Friday, 17 August 2018, that the Dominican Republic has either stagnated or regressed in regards to competitiveness and strength of its institutions.
The economist made the observation on occasion of the start of the 6th year in government of President Danilo Medina, on 16 August 2018. He observes that as achievements are: macroeconomic stability, 4% of GDP for education, 911 emergency system and the operation start of the new section of the Santo Domingo metro as positive achievements.
But when he focuses on comparing the 2012-2013 World Economic Forum Competitiveness Report to that of 2017-2018, there have been few advances. Alvarez mentions that the country is high up on the report in 49th place in regards to macroeconomic environment.
“What we have to first point out is that in matters of competitiveness we are practically the same. In 2012-2013 the DR was ranked 105th among 140 countries, while in 2017-2018 report it is in 104th.
But then he highlights: “Regarding our institutionalism, we have slipped three levels – when we thought it was impossible to get worse – going from 126th to 129th, which is among the worst countries in the survey.”
He also points out that in regards to health and elementary education, the same is true. He says that in the 2012-2013 report the country was ranked 106th, and in the 2017-2018 report, the country is in 105th position.
In regards to problems affecting investors to do business here, the indicators have worsened. He says the greatest obstacle to doing business continues to be corruption. In the 2012-2013 16.3% of those polled said it was the biggest problem, and in the 2017-2018 16.9% say the same. The inefficient bureaucracy is mentioned as the second problem in ranking, with 13.3% to 15.2% in 2017-2018. In third place among problems mentioned for their effect on doing business are tax rates with 13%, compared to 9.8% in 2012-2013. The security issue has also worsened, with 10.8% in 2017-2018 saying crime and theft are a problem, compared to 8.7% in 2012-2013.
“That is to say that in these six years of governance - evaluated through the indicators of the competitiveness reports of the World Economic Forum - our country has stagnated or retreated. Greater corruption, less institutionalization, stagnation in advances in health and education, lower labor efficiency, greater bureaucracy, greater tax obstacles and greater crime and theft are, among others, the indicators that serve as a basis to conclude that the Dominican Republic has experienced low quality of its economic growth and that the opportunity to implement structural reforms has been lost so that in the medium and long term living standards of the most needy Dominicans can be improved, “ he writes.
https://www.diariolibre.com/opinion/en-directo/el-pais-sigue-avanzando-en-el-mismo-lugar-LM10580830
http://www3.weforum.org/docs/GCR2017-2018/05FullReport/TheGlobalCompetitivenessReport2017–2018.pdf
PLD elects Senate leadership on unanimous vote
The Senate of the Republic unanimously re-elected Reinaldo Pared Perez (PLD-National District) and Aristides Victoria Yeb (PLD-Maria Trinidad Sánchez) to the top positions in the leadership of the Senate. Senator Ruben Dario Cruz will continue to be the party spokesman for the Senate.
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...-unanimidad-nuevo-bufete-directivo-PD10570852
The good and the bad of the new political party law according to Participacion Ciudadana
The civic movement known as Participation Ciudadana (Citizen Participation) released last week its endorsement of the advances contained in the recently approved Political Parties and Groups Law 33-18. The civic group says, nevertheless, that it regrets that some aspects of the legislation go against the demands of the Dominican population.
Their press release says: “After two decades of promoting the need for a legal framework in order to strengthen democracy and provide transparency in the political system, Citizen Participation accepts and celebrates the advances contained in the Political Parties Law.”
The movement also asked for the people to be aware that in the future this law would be improved through additional regulations that implemented by the Central Electoral Board (JCE) in consultation with the party system stakeholders.
According to the civic group, the most significant advances are in regards to the reduction of the cost of the political campaigns by the candidates and a greater control of the sourcing of campaign financing, which should translate into a more balanced access by members of the population with fewer resources to elective positions.
The civic group says that a three-month limit for campaigning has been set and the political rallies must be carried out in locations that do not affect the transit of public thoroughfares.
They also noted that the only sources of financing established by the law are individual contributions, contributions made by the state and money coming from party activities.
Another positive step of the law is the disposition that all parties, groups and movements should have membership rolls that are up to date and registered with the JCE each year.
For Citizen Participation, the most negative aspect of the law is that which is contained in the paragraph III of article 45 that leaves up to each party’s leadership the deciding of what type of voter registration and voting rolls will be used in the election of their candidates. The civic group release understands this may be in violation of the political party statutes and principles contained in articles referring to internal democracy, and could be open to challenges to this article on constitutional grounds.
The group also questions the effectiveness of the articles concerning financing of primary elections since the money supplied by the government in a pre-electoral year is not enough to cover costs for the primaries.
The PC also said that it has serious reservations regarding the workload that is placed on the JCE that now must organize up to two types of primary elections at the same time and process the results within five days, especially considering the experiences of the two weeks that it has taken to count the preferential vote for just 190 deputies in the congressional and municipal elections since 2002 including those of 2016 which saw that hundreds of voting stations were never concluded.
https://pciudadana.org/?p=6474
http://eldia.com.do/cuales-son-los-...eben-mejorarse-segun-participacion-ciudadana/
Celso Marranzini praises Falconbridge
According to the vice president of the Dominican Republic Association of Industries (AIRD), Celso Marranzini, Falconbridge under the leadership of Edwin Deveaux has set an example as a world class sustainable development. He made the remarks when introducing Deveaux, the Falcondo executive vice president, at the monthly breakfast of the AIRD. He praised the positive impact Falcondo has had in the areas of Bonao and La Vega and called the company “a paradigm of world class mining.”
During his talk, Deveaux spoke about the industrial activities that have made Loma Ortega green again and praised the procedures implemented to close the ferronickel mining area. The speaker focused his remarks on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. He said that “all” of the Sustainable Development Objectives are involved in the Falconbridge experience, some in directly others moderately direct and others very direct. Deveaux spoke of actions taken regarding climate, the life of terrestrial eco systems, clean water, accessible energy and no contamination by industry together with innovation and infrastructure that is combined with education. He also said that 55% of Falconbridge’s income goes to taxes and dividends to the Dominican government.
https://acento.com.do/2018/economia...-falcondo-paradigma-clase-mundial-la-mineria/
Seedstars is looking for the best start up in the Dominican Republic
On 31 August 2018, 10 of Dominican Republic’s best seed-stage startups will compete to represent the country at the Seedstars Summit and win up to US$1 million in equity investments and other prizes.
Seedstars World, the largest startup competition for emerging markets and fast-growing startup scenes is coming to Dominican Republic for the third time. The event organizers say that they are working with local host PYHEXWork to prepare the Seedstars event that will be held on 31 August 2018 at 3pm.
The companies selected to pitch at the Seedstars Santo Domingo event need to be less than 2 years old, have raised less than US$500,000 in funding and built a minimum viable product, ideally with existing traction. The Seedstars team is searching for one additional criterion: the startup’s regional and global scalability. With a strong network of international partners, such as Merck, SPECo, Enel or Continental (among others) the competition organizers are looking for smart startups that tackle regional issues and develop profitable and sustainable products for the global market.
The applications are open until 17th of August and startups are invited to apply at https://seedsta.rs/santo-domingo.
After a careful screening, the Seedstars team will shortlist 10 of the best seed-stage startups in Santo Domingo to pitch on August 31st for the opportunity to compete at the Seedstars Summit, that annually takes place in Switzerland.
“Seedstars World is a platform that connects investors and stakeholders with the next generation of entrepreneurs. Since this will be our third time organizing the event at Santo Domingo, the stakes are high and we are very excited. We’ve been in this ecosystem for more than 2 years now and know there are companies in Dominican Republic developing high-quality products. We are looking for the best and will take it with us to Switzerland in 2019!”, says Juliane Butty, Regional Manager for Latam at Seedstars.
https://www.seedstarsworld.com/event/seedstars-santo-domingo-2018
Dominican ambassador in Germany dies of heart attack
The Dominican ambassador in Germany, architect Rafael Calventi is reported to have died in his residence in Berlin, Germany. He was married to Maybe Sanchez Caminero, mother of Attorney General Jean Alain Rodriguez. As reported, he suffered a heart attack, the Attorney General Office reported in a press release.
Since 1996, Calventi had served as ambassador abroad serving in Italy, Mexico, Argentina and Germany, where he was at the time of the heart attack.
https://www.listindiario.com/la-rep...alventi-gavino-embajador-del-pais-en-alemania
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2018/08...mbajador-de-republica-dominicana-en-alemania/
Douglas Bournigal and Bruno Vincent die in ultra light crash
Cardiologist Douglas Bournigal and the general manager of GB Energy (Texaco) in the Dominican Republic, Bruno Vincent, died in a new ultra light two-seat motor glider crash on Sunday, 19 August 2018, just north of the La Isabela International Airport during the landing procedures. The aircraft was engulfed in flames, as reported by Hector Olivo, spokesman for the Dominican Civil Aviation Institute.
Bournigal was regarded as one of the best cardiologists in the country. He had previously worked successfully in Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...y-un-empresario-en-accidente-aereo-DN10596005
https://www.listindiario.com/economia/2017/11/23/491854/douglas-bournigal-medico-sonador-y-piloto
http://almomento.net/accidente-aereo-deja-dos-muertos-proximo-aeropuerto-joaquin-balaguer/
Police confirm death by suicide of sergeant Montero at US Embassy
On Friday, 18 August 2018, the Police confirmed the suicide of 34-year old major sergeant Anny Montero Montero on 20 July 2018, in a bathroom at the US Embassy. The autopsy revealed she died from an injury to the head.
The National Police has revealed that the ongoing investigation revealed that sergeant Anny Montero had an intimate relationship with her superior. The Police nevertheless did not clarify if she was being harassed. According to the report, she was in a relationship with Police Colonel Felix Alberto Gomez Geraldino. The Police said that he would be sanctioned because the ethics code of the Police prohibits this kind of relationship.
The Police say they have not been able to ascertain the ties between Police Mayor Ruddy Villar Tejada, who is the liaison between the Police and the US Embassy. The family of Montero says he was harassing their relative.
The Police say security videos are still being analyzed, but they have no reports from the victim regarding sexual harassment.
https://www.listindiario.com/la-rep...rior-pero-no-han-determinado-si-recibia-acoso
http://z101digital.com/policia-dice...gente-se-suicido-sufria-acoso-de-su-superior/
http://hoy.com.do/coronel-de-digesett-y-agente-montero-tenian-un-romance/
http://www.policianacional.gob.do/p...te-de-la-sargento-mayor-anny-montero-montero/
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2018/08/20/panorama/pais/aun-no-se-sabe-si-agente-digesett-sufria-acoso/
National District prosecutors announces arrest of Luis Jose Asilis for tax fraud
Businessman Luis Jose Asilis Elmudesi, owner of Autobuses Metro, was arrested for tax fraud and asset laundering. A tweet from the National District prosecutors’ office made the announcement on Friday, 17 August 2018. He is also accused of document forgery.
On 16 July 2018, the Tax Agency (DGII) had closed the Metro bus terminal at Av. Wnston Churchill for tax violations. In 2015, Diario Libre had reported Asilis had been sent to justice by the DGII, and subsequently he would make a payment of RD$54 million to continue operating.
The case against him had been disputed for around 8 years and the Diario Libre says Asilis negotiated with authorities to pay RD$170 million less than what he owed.
Asilis reached the heading of Autobuses Metro through marriage to Rosa Cortina, daughter of the original founder, Ruben Cortina.
A report in Acento features an EFE newswire that shares that Asilis is also chief executive officer at the Metro Metro Country Club in Juan Dolio, Metro Real Estate, Metro Tours, Metro Pac, and a leading shareholder in Lajun Corporation, the past administration company of the Duquesa garbage dump.
http://z101digital.com/fiscalia-del...on-en-contra-del-empresario-jose-luis-asilis/
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...nuncia-arresto-de-jose-luis-asilis-MM10589041
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...metro-por-violacion-a-la-ley-11-92-BE10364454
http://eldia.com.do/tribunal-conocera-hoy-medida-de-coercion-contra-jose-luis-asilis/
https://acento.com.do/2018/actualid...-prision-preventiva-contra-empresario-asilis/
Child sexual abuser sentenced to jail in Florida
51-year old US citizen Theodore William Symonds was sentenced to 17 years in jail for the sexual abuse of minors in the Dominican Republic. A note from the US Justice Department says that the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) says Symonds had been under investigation since mid 2017. The announcement was made by Benjamin G. Greenberg, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Mark Selby, Special Agent in Charge, ICE-HSI, Miami Field Office. The man had pleaded guilty to traveling to the Dominican Republic for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with minors.
Symonds was in the Dominican Republic on 23 March 2017, when he was arrested by the local authorities for sexual abuse of minors. As reported, the arrest was part of a joint operation led by the Attorney General’s Office, through the prosecutors’ office in Puerto Plata. Afterwards, the case was followed up by ICE-HSI, leading to the uncovering of proof that enabled his sentencing for sexual abuse of children, both in person and using the Internet. The US prosecutors assigned to this case were Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan Kobrinski and Daniel Cervantes.
U.S. Attorney Benjamin Greenberg said: “The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners stand united against child exploitation and abuse. There is no immunity for these heinous crimes, whether committed at home or abroad. Any individual who victimizes the most vulnerable members of society, our children, can look to today’s sentencing to see there will be severe consequences within the U.S. federal criminal justice system.”
“This sentence should send a powerful message to child predators who believe that they can evade law enforcement by using international travel to engage in this type of reprehensible behavior,” said Mark Selby, Special Agent in Charge of HSI Miami. “Sexual exploitation of children is a despicable crime that will never be tolerated. HSI will continue to work closely with its law enforcement partners around the world so that sexual predators are always brought to justice.”
https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/p...ing-dominican-republic-engage-sex-acts-minors
https://do.usembassy.gov/es/autoridades-colaboran-arresto/
https://dr1.com/forums/showthread.p...sosua-for-sexual-exploitation-of-minors/page4
More fallout from Dominican Day Parade in NYC
Reporters located in New York City have continued to gather more fallout after the inclusion of Haitians in the Dominican Day Parade last Sunday, 12 August 2018. One reporter said that the parade is part of all the conversations in Upper Manhattan where there is a huge concentration of Dominicans. The majority of the persons interviewed agreed and a general rejection of the Haitian participation in the parade. They demanded the resignation of Maria Khury as the president of the committee that holds the parade. Some 143 Dominicans were interviewed randomly and were asked the question: “What opinion do you have about the participation of Haitians during the Dominican Parade last Sunday, and why?” Some 67% of the responders agreed to reject the Haitian participation push for by Mayor DeBlasio. The persons polled noted that by accepting the participation of Haitians in the Dominican Parade, Khury showed an even greater lack of knowledge of what it is to be a Dominican. The observer says that Khury apparently ignores the fact that the parade isn’t an event for Dominicans to celebrate in order to show the world their music (merengue and bachata, not gaga), and their folklore (how they dance, not going into trances) and representing our beaches, not tigers, or lions or elephants. Likewise, the reporters compiled opinions that the Dominican Parade is about Dominican history (Duarte, Sanchez and Mella, and not Toussaint L’Ouverture), and traditions (that include going to churches,’s not practicing voodoo).
The people surveyed noted that the politicization of the event is due to the fact that the current leadership was not elected by the community nor does it represent the interests of the community because it was imposed by local politicians and the groups that participate have to respond to their interests. 20% of those interviewed were in favor of the Haitian participation saying “we are all Dominicans.” A small percentage (12.6%) did not wish to give an opinion.
http://elnacional.com.do/dominicano...-del-desfile-condenan-participacion-haitiana/
https://dominicanparade.org/en/parade-2018/
Amanda Mena stars again on live AGT
Amanda Mena starred once again on America’s Got Talent (AGT) as the 15-year-old sang “What About Us” by Pink and received a standing ovation from the jury and the audience. The 15-year-old, who has lived in Boston with her parents, said she was for once again showed her talent on one of the world’s biggest stages. She had received a Golden Buzzer from the former Spice Girl, Mel B that set her straight to the live performance.
Also on AGT is a dance group composed of young Dominicans and called “Da Republik.” There is a lot of competition on this talent show and Simon Cowell has forecast that he thought a singer would probably win. Amanda is competing against a young English girl by the name of Courtney Hadwin who is just 13 and from England and who has a most impressive voice. The winner of the competition is chosen by a mixture of the judge’s opinion and votes from the viewing public.
https://www.diariolibre.com/revista...a-en-vivo-del-america-s-got-talent-GC10569539
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCGh1LTKP6U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrOOJTHbjA0
DR wins gold in Women’s U-23 Pan American Cup
The Dominican Republic continues to be the team to beat in U-23 women’s volleyball. The Dominican Republic on Sunday, 19 August 2018 won the Women’s U-23 Pan American Cup celebrated 12-20 August in Lima, Peru. It was the first time a Peruvian team played a final. This is the Dominican Republic’s team’s fourth consecutive gold medal in the competition that began to be held in 2012. The sets ended 25-10, 25-17, 25-18 in favor of the Dominican women. The DR team is ranked third in the world, Peru is in 11th place.
https://larepublica.pe/deportes/130...nicana-final-copa-panamericana-sub-23-resumen
https://depor.com/full-deportes/vol...ana-vivo-titulo-copa-panamericana-voley-85124
http://www.norceca.net/2018 Events/U23-W/P-2-3/Calendar-U23-NORCECA -Women PaAmerican.htm
Back to school
RD$10 million in bonuses for Dominican medal-winning athletes
Drought affects farm produce
KEPCO signs US$37.8 M project in Dominican Republic
Puerto Plata Mayor announces advances on city dump
Sad news on infant mortality
All eyes on Angel Rondon in Odebrecht corruption case
Comparing competitiveness indicators for 2012 and 2012: DR has stagnated
PLD elects Senate leadership on unanimous vote
The good and the bad of the new political party law according to Participacion Ciudadana
Celso Marranzini praises Falconbridge
Seedstars is looking for the best start up in the Dominican Republic
Dominican ambassador in Germany dies of heart attack
Douglas Bournigal and Bruno Vincent die in ultra light crash
Police confirm death by suicide of sergeant Montero at US Embassy
National District prosecutors announces arrest of Luis Jose Asilis for tax fraud
Child sexual abuser sentenced to jail in Florida
More fallout from Dominican Day Parade in NYC
Amanda Mena stars again on live AGT
DR wins gold in Women’s U-23 Pan American Cup
President Danilo Medina says he could run again in 2020
In a televised interview with TV host Jatna Tavarez, President Danilo Medina said he would not say whether he would seek reelection until March 2019. The electoral calendar establishes that political parties need to select their candidates to the 2020 general elections by October 2019. To run for a second reelection, President Danilo Medina would need to promote an amendment of the Constitution. This would be a second time, because he already did so in 2016 in order to run for reelection in 2016. The 2015 Constitution impedes a President from office for more than two terms.
"The new Political Parties Law establishes deadlines for everything, including ... a date on which the parties have to register the candidates and establishes a date for the primaries and that is in the second semester of next year. Now, we inside the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) have decided that we would talk about it in March of next year, and at that moment I will fix my position before the country; meanwhile I want to make a good government," said the President speaking from the Presidential Palace. He expressed his opinion that once the PLD chooses its presidential candidate, all members of the party would rally in support.
He defended the checks and controls his government has instated to control corruption, and stressed the Judicial Branch operates with complete independence.
He defended his reticence to stand for questioning by journalists. He said these generate controversies and said that he prefers “to work.”
While President Medina is not available for interview by the working press, the administration is best known for its major spending in government propaganda to highlight the work of the President through multiple channels in all media. Just last Monday, 13 August 2018, the Presidency published four page spreads in the leading Dominican print media to highlight government achievements during the first two years of the 2016-2020 term. The publication coincided with the successful happening of the Green March on the previous Sunday that was the leading story of the Monday newspapers. The front pages highlighted the success of the protest were covered by the advertising feature paid for by the Presidency. Media analysts considered the promotion cost taxpayers upwards of RD$10 million.
Coinciding with the President’s conversation with TV host Tavarez, the leading opposition party, the PRM, published a report on the two first years of President Danilo Medina’s second term. The report mentions the Medina administration has managed US$78 billion in resources from 2012 to 2018, but criticized major deficiencies in security, combating corruption, jobs, child mortality, quality of education, access to eating, and public debt.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ab42B8vH5k
https://www.listindiario.com/la-rep...nilo-pone-fecha-para-decidir-sobre-reeleccion
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2018/08...ara-en-marzo-su-posicion-sobre-la-reeleccion/
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2018/08...oy-haciendo-uno-de-los-gobiernos-mas-pulcros/
https://elnuevodiario.com.do/danilo...eleccion-no-se-siente-aludido-con-corrupcion/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDe48aKhCtI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45FJAdRE6Vw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSxF3KIF2I8
https://www.metrord.do/do/noticias/...a-los-6-anos-del-presidente-medina-poder.html
Back to school
Expect traffic to return to its chaotic normal levels in the National District as the country’s school children return to school. The Ministry of Education has announced the start of school for Monday, 20 August 2018. The Ministry says that 2,826,773 students are enrolled in schools across the country. The enrollment includes 348,752 in pre-school, 1,242,025 in elementary, 943,219 in high school, and 292,777 in adult education. There are 2,205,543 enrolled in public schools and another 621,230 in private schools.
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2018/08...-todo-esta-listo-para-inicio-del-ano-escolar/
RD$10 million in bonuses for Dominican medal-winning athletes
The Ministry of Sports says it has paid out more than RD$10 million in incentives for Dominican athletes who brought back 107 medals from the Central American and Caribbean Games that ended this August 2018 in Barranquilla, Colombia. The incentives include RD$125,000 in cash for each the 25 gold medal winners, RD$80,000 each for the 29 who won silver and RD$40,000 each for the 53 who won bronze. Victor Estrella, who won three gold medals, would receive a single bonus of RD$250,000. Gold Medal-winning volleyball and handball teams will receive RD$1 million each.
INVI director announced the government agency would be in contact to supervise the dwellings of the athletes. The media focused on the precarious housing situation in which gold medalist weight lifter Estefania Soriano was living. After the win, TV journalist Nuria Piera had reported on how Dominican top athletes live.
As part of the good news for the athletes, Sports Minister Danilo Diaz also announced that gold medalists will now make RD$20,000 a month as part of the PARNI program, silver medalists will receive RD$15,000 a month and bronze medalists RD$10,000. He said this increases the allotment to athletes from RD$1.8 million to RD$3 million a month. He also announced an increase from RD$4,000 to RD$5,000 for athletes already participating in the program and that did not win medals in the Barranquilla games. He announced increases would be forthcoming for the coaches.
Earlier, the Presidency had announced that all medal winners would be affiliated to the sports programs under the Ministry of Armed Forces, if they were not already. As part of this support, the recruits are on the military payroll without having to do active duty.
http://miderec.gob.do/medallistas-de-oro-recibiran-125-mil-pesos-del-miderec/
https://www.diariolibre.com/deporte...ilar-atletas-medallistas-en-juegos-AH10538855
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_enulSouQc
Drought affects farm produce
The Ministry of Agriculture has requested that rice farmers not plan for a third harvest this year because they may not have enough water to do so. Agriculture Minister Osmar Benitez said that the drought has affected the water levels in reservoirs, and the water available for human consumption.
He spoke at the Presidency after meeting with President Danilo Medina to report on the situation. The water levels are below the normal for this time of the year.
He mentioned the dams of Sabaneta, Rincon, Valdesia, Tavera-Bao, Moncion, Rio Blanco, Pinalito, Palomino.
Farmers in the San Juan de la Maguana valley estimate in RD$95 million losses so far for the drought.
http://eldia.com.do/sequia-podria-afectar-la-siembra-de-habichuela-en-toda-la-region-sur/
KEPCO signs US$37.8M project in Dominican Republic
The state-run Korea Electric Corp. (KEPCO) announced on Friday, 17 August 2018 that it has won a US$37.8 million project to replace or build new power distribution facilities in the Dominican Republic. The company has received an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) order to improve power management systems, including telegraph poles, electric wire, transformers and power meters, in the southern and eastern areas of the Dominican Republic for the next two years. The company explains that the project is aimed at reducing the republic's electricity transmission loss rate, which is about 30%, and enhancing its power infrastructure to handle rising energy demands.
It is the third EPC project in the Dominican Republic, following previous ones in 2011 and 2016. The accumulated sales from the three projects amount to US$140 million, the Korean firm said.
http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/news/2018/08/17/0200000000AEN20180817003200320.html
Puerto Plata Mayor announces advances on city dump
The Mayor of Puerto Plata Walter Musa announced that the central government has committed to provide RD$550 million for the purchase of land beside the Puerto Plata waste dump for the construction of a garbage recycling plant. He said President Danilo Medina authorized him to make the announcement. He said the project will be executed as part of an agreement between the Ministry of Tourism and the city government. He said the property had not been purchased previously because they had not reached an agreement with the owners.
Recently, Puerto Plata senator Jose Ignacio Paliza had urged a solution to the waste dump saying that it was endangering the advances made in tourism development in the area. Recently, a Carnival Cruise ship with more than 5,000 tourists aboard did not dock at the port. The reason given was technical reasons.
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...lones-en-vertedero-de-puerto-plata-LM10580913
https://www.listindiario.com/la-rep...36/invertiran-rd-550-millones-en-vertedero-pp
Sad news on infant mortality
Official news coming from the Ministry of Public Health presents the sad figure of almost 2,000 infant deaths so far this year in the Dominican Republic. This is 431 more than during the same period last year, according to the most recent bulletin on epidemiology from the Ministry of Public Health.
The information that was published on the ministry’s website and revealed that during the most recent week some 49 newly born babies died versus 56 during the same period last year. Throughout the nation, 258 babies have died in the last four weeks. The highest percentage (73%) of the infants died within the first 27 days of life. In relation to maternity deaths, the Ministry reported that it has registered 110, just one less than last year. In a further note, the ministry says that some 32 persons have died this year from leptospirosis, eight from tetanus, three from whooping cough, two from meningitis, one from dengue and one from human rabies.
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...ido-en-lo-que-va-de-ano-en-el-pais-ND10571084
All eyes on Angel Rondon in Odebrecht corruption case
The talk of the town over the long weekend was the statements by commercial representative of Odebrecht, Angel Rondon regarding his contractual conditions with Odebrecht regarding the Punta Catalina power plant. A document where reportedly it is confirmed that Odebrecht contracted to pay him US$20 million for the securing of the contract for the Punta Catalina power plant, has revved up the discussions.
The Attorney General has not included the Punta Catalina Odebrecht-contracted power plant in the investigations, despite it being the biggest single contract transacted with the Brazilian construction company.
Rondon has said he expects to be cleared in the case. News commentators say Rondon is key to the unfolding of the Odebrecht corruption case in the Dominican Republic. Rondon has argued he received payments from Odebrecht as fees for his services.
A commentary in El Dia on 17 August 2018 observes that as Rondon’s case goes, so will the others. If evidence that he received the money for bribes is not produced, it will be difficult to implicate others.
http://eldia.com.do/o-todos-toros-o-todos-vacas-la-logica-de-rondon/
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...ondon-por-gestionar-punta-catalina-IB10554628
Comparing competitiveness indicators for 2012 and 2012: DR has stagnated
Former Central Bank general manager, Pedro Silverio Alvarez, concludes in his op-ed contribution to Diario Libre on Friday, 17 August 2018, that the Dominican Republic has either stagnated or regressed in regards to competitiveness and strength of its institutions.
The economist made the observation on occasion of the start of the 6th year in government of President Danilo Medina, on 16 August 2018. He observes that as achievements are: macroeconomic stability, 4% of GDP for education, 911 emergency system and the operation start of the new section of the Santo Domingo metro as positive achievements.
But when he focuses on comparing the 2012-2013 World Economic Forum Competitiveness Report to that of 2017-2018, there have been few advances. Alvarez mentions that the country is high up on the report in 49th place in regards to macroeconomic environment.
“What we have to first point out is that in matters of competitiveness we are practically the same. In 2012-2013 the DR was ranked 105th among 140 countries, while in 2017-2018 report it is in 104th.
But then he highlights: “Regarding our institutionalism, we have slipped three levels – when we thought it was impossible to get worse – going from 126th to 129th, which is among the worst countries in the survey.”
He also points out that in regards to health and elementary education, the same is true. He says that in the 2012-2013 report the country was ranked 106th, and in the 2017-2018 report, the country is in 105th position.
In regards to problems affecting investors to do business here, the indicators have worsened. He says the greatest obstacle to doing business continues to be corruption. In the 2012-2013 16.3% of those polled said it was the biggest problem, and in the 2017-2018 16.9% say the same. The inefficient bureaucracy is mentioned as the second problem in ranking, with 13.3% to 15.2% in 2017-2018. In third place among problems mentioned for their effect on doing business are tax rates with 13%, compared to 9.8% in 2012-2013. The security issue has also worsened, with 10.8% in 2017-2018 saying crime and theft are a problem, compared to 8.7% in 2012-2013.
“That is to say that in these six years of governance - evaluated through the indicators of the competitiveness reports of the World Economic Forum - our country has stagnated or retreated. Greater corruption, less institutionalization, stagnation in advances in health and education, lower labor efficiency, greater bureaucracy, greater tax obstacles and greater crime and theft are, among others, the indicators that serve as a basis to conclude that the Dominican Republic has experienced low quality of its economic growth and that the opportunity to implement structural reforms has been lost so that in the medium and long term living standards of the most needy Dominicans can be improved, “ he writes.
https://www.diariolibre.com/opinion/en-directo/el-pais-sigue-avanzando-en-el-mismo-lugar-LM10580830
http://www3.weforum.org/docs/GCR2017-2018/05FullReport/TheGlobalCompetitivenessReport2017–2018.pdf
PLD elects Senate leadership on unanimous vote
The Senate of the Republic unanimously re-elected Reinaldo Pared Perez (PLD-National District) and Aristides Victoria Yeb (PLD-Maria Trinidad Sánchez) to the top positions in the leadership of the Senate. Senator Ruben Dario Cruz will continue to be the party spokesman for the Senate.
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...-unanimidad-nuevo-bufete-directivo-PD10570852
The good and the bad of the new political party law according to Participacion Ciudadana
The civic movement known as Participation Ciudadana (Citizen Participation) released last week its endorsement of the advances contained in the recently approved Political Parties and Groups Law 33-18. The civic group says, nevertheless, that it regrets that some aspects of the legislation go against the demands of the Dominican population.
Their press release says: “After two decades of promoting the need for a legal framework in order to strengthen democracy and provide transparency in the political system, Citizen Participation accepts and celebrates the advances contained in the Political Parties Law.”
The movement also asked for the people to be aware that in the future this law would be improved through additional regulations that implemented by the Central Electoral Board (JCE) in consultation with the party system stakeholders.
According to the civic group, the most significant advances are in regards to the reduction of the cost of the political campaigns by the candidates and a greater control of the sourcing of campaign financing, which should translate into a more balanced access by members of the population with fewer resources to elective positions.
The civic group says that a three-month limit for campaigning has been set and the political rallies must be carried out in locations that do not affect the transit of public thoroughfares.
They also noted that the only sources of financing established by the law are individual contributions, contributions made by the state and money coming from party activities.
Another positive step of the law is the disposition that all parties, groups and movements should have membership rolls that are up to date and registered with the JCE each year.
For Citizen Participation, the most negative aspect of the law is that which is contained in the paragraph III of article 45 that leaves up to each party’s leadership the deciding of what type of voter registration and voting rolls will be used in the election of their candidates. The civic group release understands this may be in violation of the political party statutes and principles contained in articles referring to internal democracy, and could be open to challenges to this article on constitutional grounds.
The group also questions the effectiveness of the articles concerning financing of primary elections since the money supplied by the government in a pre-electoral year is not enough to cover costs for the primaries.
The PC also said that it has serious reservations regarding the workload that is placed on the JCE that now must organize up to two types of primary elections at the same time and process the results within five days, especially considering the experiences of the two weeks that it has taken to count the preferential vote for just 190 deputies in the congressional and municipal elections since 2002 including those of 2016 which saw that hundreds of voting stations were never concluded.
https://pciudadana.org/?p=6474
http://eldia.com.do/cuales-son-los-...eben-mejorarse-segun-participacion-ciudadana/
Celso Marranzini praises Falconbridge
According to the vice president of the Dominican Republic Association of Industries (AIRD), Celso Marranzini, Falconbridge under the leadership of Edwin Deveaux has set an example as a world class sustainable development. He made the remarks when introducing Deveaux, the Falcondo executive vice president, at the monthly breakfast of the AIRD. He praised the positive impact Falcondo has had in the areas of Bonao and La Vega and called the company “a paradigm of world class mining.”
During his talk, Deveaux spoke about the industrial activities that have made Loma Ortega green again and praised the procedures implemented to close the ferronickel mining area. The speaker focused his remarks on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. He said that “all” of the Sustainable Development Objectives are involved in the Falconbridge experience, some in directly others moderately direct and others very direct. Deveaux spoke of actions taken regarding climate, the life of terrestrial eco systems, clean water, accessible energy and no contamination by industry together with innovation and infrastructure that is combined with education. He also said that 55% of Falconbridge’s income goes to taxes and dividends to the Dominican government.
https://acento.com.do/2018/economia...-falcondo-paradigma-clase-mundial-la-mineria/
Seedstars is looking for the best start up in the Dominican Republic
On 31 August 2018, 10 of Dominican Republic’s best seed-stage startups will compete to represent the country at the Seedstars Summit and win up to US$1 million in equity investments and other prizes.
Seedstars World, the largest startup competition for emerging markets and fast-growing startup scenes is coming to Dominican Republic for the third time. The event organizers say that they are working with local host PYHEXWork to prepare the Seedstars event that will be held on 31 August 2018 at 3pm.
The companies selected to pitch at the Seedstars Santo Domingo event need to be less than 2 years old, have raised less than US$500,000 in funding and built a minimum viable product, ideally with existing traction. The Seedstars team is searching for one additional criterion: the startup’s regional and global scalability. With a strong network of international partners, such as Merck, SPECo, Enel or Continental (among others) the competition organizers are looking for smart startups that tackle regional issues and develop profitable and sustainable products for the global market.
The applications are open until 17th of August and startups are invited to apply at https://seedsta.rs/santo-domingo.
After a careful screening, the Seedstars team will shortlist 10 of the best seed-stage startups in Santo Domingo to pitch on August 31st for the opportunity to compete at the Seedstars Summit, that annually takes place in Switzerland.
“Seedstars World is a platform that connects investors and stakeholders with the next generation of entrepreneurs. Since this will be our third time organizing the event at Santo Domingo, the stakes are high and we are very excited. We’ve been in this ecosystem for more than 2 years now and know there are companies in Dominican Republic developing high-quality products. We are looking for the best and will take it with us to Switzerland in 2019!”, says Juliane Butty, Regional Manager for Latam at Seedstars.
https://www.seedstarsworld.com/event/seedstars-santo-domingo-2018
Dominican ambassador in Germany dies of heart attack
The Dominican ambassador in Germany, architect Rafael Calventi is reported to have died in his residence in Berlin, Germany. He was married to Maybe Sanchez Caminero, mother of Attorney General Jean Alain Rodriguez. As reported, he suffered a heart attack, the Attorney General Office reported in a press release.
Since 1996, Calventi had served as ambassador abroad serving in Italy, Mexico, Argentina and Germany, where he was at the time of the heart attack.
https://www.listindiario.com/la-rep...alventi-gavino-embajador-del-pais-en-alemania
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2018/08...mbajador-de-republica-dominicana-en-alemania/
Douglas Bournigal and Bruno Vincent die in ultra light crash
Cardiologist Douglas Bournigal and the general manager of GB Energy (Texaco) in the Dominican Republic, Bruno Vincent, died in a new ultra light two-seat motor glider crash on Sunday, 19 August 2018, just north of the La Isabela International Airport during the landing procedures. The aircraft was engulfed in flames, as reported by Hector Olivo, spokesman for the Dominican Civil Aviation Institute.
Bournigal was regarded as one of the best cardiologists in the country. He had previously worked successfully in Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...y-un-empresario-en-accidente-aereo-DN10596005
https://www.listindiario.com/economia/2017/11/23/491854/douglas-bournigal-medico-sonador-y-piloto
http://almomento.net/accidente-aereo-deja-dos-muertos-proximo-aeropuerto-joaquin-balaguer/
Police confirm death by suicide of sergeant Montero at US Embassy
On Friday, 18 August 2018, the Police confirmed the suicide of 34-year old major sergeant Anny Montero Montero on 20 July 2018, in a bathroom at the US Embassy. The autopsy revealed she died from an injury to the head.
The National Police has revealed that the ongoing investigation revealed that sergeant Anny Montero had an intimate relationship with her superior. The Police nevertheless did not clarify if she was being harassed. According to the report, she was in a relationship with Police Colonel Felix Alberto Gomez Geraldino. The Police said that he would be sanctioned because the ethics code of the Police prohibits this kind of relationship.
The Police say they have not been able to ascertain the ties between Police Mayor Ruddy Villar Tejada, who is the liaison between the Police and the US Embassy. The family of Montero says he was harassing their relative.
The Police say security videos are still being analyzed, but they have no reports from the victim regarding sexual harassment.
https://www.listindiario.com/la-rep...rior-pero-no-han-determinado-si-recibia-acoso
http://z101digital.com/policia-dice...gente-se-suicido-sufria-acoso-de-su-superior/
http://hoy.com.do/coronel-de-digesett-y-agente-montero-tenian-un-romance/
http://www.policianacional.gob.do/p...te-de-la-sargento-mayor-anny-montero-montero/
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2018/08/20/panorama/pais/aun-no-se-sabe-si-agente-digesett-sufria-acoso/
National District prosecutors announces arrest of Luis Jose Asilis for tax fraud
Businessman Luis Jose Asilis Elmudesi, owner of Autobuses Metro, was arrested for tax fraud and asset laundering. A tweet from the National District prosecutors’ office made the announcement on Friday, 17 August 2018. He is also accused of document forgery.
On 16 July 2018, the Tax Agency (DGII) had closed the Metro bus terminal at Av. Wnston Churchill for tax violations. In 2015, Diario Libre had reported Asilis had been sent to justice by the DGII, and subsequently he would make a payment of RD$54 million to continue operating.
The case against him had been disputed for around 8 years and the Diario Libre says Asilis negotiated with authorities to pay RD$170 million less than what he owed.
Asilis reached the heading of Autobuses Metro through marriage to Rosa Cortina, daughter of the original founder, Ruben Cortina.
A report in Acento features an EFE newswire that shares that Asilis is also chief executive officer at the Metro Metro Country Club in Juan Dolio, Metro Real Estate, Metro Tours, Metro Pac, and a leading shareholder in Lajun Corporation, the past administration company of the Duquesa garbage dump.
http://z101digital.com/fiscalia-del...on-en-contra-del-empresario-jose-luis-asilis/
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...nuncia-arresto-de-jose-luis-asilis-MM10589041
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...metro-por-violacion-a-la-ley-11-92-BE10364454
http://eldia.com.do/tribunal-conocera-hoy-medida-de-coercion-contra-jose-luis-asilis/
https://acento.com.do/2018/actualid...-prision-preventiva-contra-empresario-asilis/
Child sexual abuser sentenced to jail in Florida
51-year old US citizen Theodore William Symonds was sentenced to 17 years in jail for the sexual abuse of minors in the Dominican Republic. A note from the US Justice Department says that the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI) says Symonds had been under investigation since mid 2017. The announcement was made by Benjamin G. Greenberg, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Mark Selby, Special Agent in Charge, ICE-HSI, Miami Field Office. The man had pleaded guilty to traveling to the Dominican Republic for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with minors.
Symonds was in the Dominican Republic on 23 March 2017, when he was arrested by the local authorities for sexual abuse of minors. As reported, the arrest was part of a joint operation led by the Attorney General’s Office, through the prosecutors’ office in Puerto Plata. Afterwards, the case was followed up by ICE-HSI, leading to the uncovering of proof that enabled his sentencing for sexual abuse of children, both in person and using the Internet. The US prosecutors assigned to this case were Assistant United States Attorneys Jonathan Kobrinski and Daniel Cervantes.
U.S. Attorney Benjamin Greenberg said: “The U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners stand united against child exploitation and abuse. There is no immunity for these heinous crimes, whether committed at home or abroad. Any individual who victimizes the most vulnerable members of society, our children, can look to today’s sentencing to see there will be severe consequences within the U.S. federal criminal justice system.”
“This sentence should send a powerful message to child predators who believe that they can evade law enforcement by using international travel to engage in this type of reprehensible behavior,” said Mark Selby, Special Agent in Charge of HSI Miami. “Sexual exploitation of children is a despicable crime that will never be tolerated. HSI will continue to work closely with its law enforcement partners around the world so that sexual predators are always brought to justice.”
https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdfl/p...ing-dominican-republic-engage-sex-acts-minors
https://do.usembassy.gov/es/autoridades-colaboran-arresto/
https://dr1.com/forums/showthread.p...sosua-for-sexual-exploitation-of-minors/page4
More fallout from Dominican Day Parade in NYC
Reporters located in New York City have continued to gather more fallout after the inclusion of Haitians in the Dominican Day Parade last Sunday, 12 August 2018. One reporter said that the parade is part of all the conversations in Upper Manhattan where there is a huge concentration of Dominicans. The majority of the persons interviewed agreed and a general rejection of the Haitian participation in the parade. They demanded the resignation of Maria Khury as the president of the committee that holds the parade. Some 143 Dominicans were interviewed randomly and were asked the question: “What opinion do you have about the participation of Haitians during the Dominican Parade last Sunday, and why?” Some 67% of the responders agreed to reject the Haitian participation push for by Mayor DeBlasio. The persons polled noted that by accepting the participation of Haitians in the Dominican Parade, Khury showed an even greater lack of knowledge of what it is to be a Dominican. The observer says that Khury apparently ignores the fact that the parade isn’t an event for Dominicans to celebrate in order to show the world their music (merengue and bachata, not gaga), and their folklore (how they dance, not going into trances) and representing our beaches, not tigers, or lions or elephants. Likewise, the reporters compiled opinions that the Dominican Parade is about Dominican history (Duarte, Sanchez and Mella, and not Toussaint L’Ouverture), and traditions (that include going to churches,’s not practicing voodoo).
The people surveyed noted that the politicization of the event is due to the fact that the current leadership was not elected by the community nor does it represent the interests of the community because it was imposed by local politicians and the groups that participate have to respond to their interests. 20% of those interviewed were in favor of the Haitian participation saying “we are all Dominicans.” A small percentage (12.6%) did not wish to give an opinion.
http://elnacional.com.do/dominicano...-del-desfile-condenan-participacion-haitiana/
https://dominicanparade.org/en/parade-2018/
Amanda Mena stars again on live AGT
Amanda Mena starred once again on America’s Got Talent (AGT) as the 15-year-old sang “What About Us” by Pink and received a standing ovation from the jury and the audience. The 15-year-old, who has lived in Boston with her parents, said she was for once again showed her talent on one of the world’s biggest stages. She had received a Golden Buzzer from the former Spice Girl, Mel B that set her straight to the live performance.
Also on AGT is a dance group composed of young Dominicans and called “Da Republik.” There is a lot of competition on this talent show and Simon Cowell has forecast that he thought a singer would probably win. Amanda is competing against a young English girl by the name of Courtney Hadwin who is just 13 and from England and who has a most impressive voice. The winner of the competition is chosen by a mixture of the judge’s opinion and votes from the viewing public.
https://www.diariolibre.com/revista...a-en-vivo-del-america-s-got-talent-GC10569539
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCGh1LTKP6U
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrOOJTHbjA0
DR wins gold in Women’s U-23 Pan American Cup
The Dominican Republic continues to be the team to beat in U-23 women’s volleyball. The Dominican Republic on Sunday, 19 August 2018 won the Women’s U-23 Pan American Cup celebrated 12-20 August in Lima, Peru. It was the first time a Peruvian team played a final. This is the Dominican Republic’s team’s fourth consecutive gold medal in the competition that began to be held in 2012. The sets ended 25-10, 25-17, 25-18 in favor of the Dominican women. The DR team is ranked third in the world, Peru is in 11th place.
https://larepublica.pe/deportes/130...nicana-final-copa-panamericana-sub-23-resumen
https://depor.com/full-deportes/vol...ana-vivo-titulo-copa-panamericana-voley-85124
http://www.norceca.net/2018 Events/U23-W/P-2-3/Calendar-U23-NORCECA -Women PaAmerican.htm
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