President Medina attends opening of Santo Domingo public school
DR hosts four Parlacen forums
Luis Almagro praises Dominican migratory policy
New embassies in Vietnam, Bolivia, Turkey and Antigua & Barbuda
Legislators seek to undermine freedom of speech in the DR
PNRE issues renewal of residency cards
JCE gives green light to early political campaigning
Will Margarita run for presidency?
Hipolito to run for president
Procurement derogates rule that made corruption easy at Omsa
Mangos and avocados exported to Russia
Canadian company to dredge Itabo area
Mormon president to visit
Bust of Juan Bosch in Hanoi
Man killed on bus by stray bullet
Marlin Martine’s defense continues to delay trial
Luis Jose Asilis out of jail after reaching agreement with Venezuelan investors
Rains on the way
President Medina attends opening of Santo Domingo public school
On Monday, 27 August 2018, President Danilo Medina inaugurated a public school with 27 classrooms with a capacity for 910 students in Villa Eloísa, Brisas del Este, Santo Domingo East. The school, Primary School 24 April, will offer the extended school day program. It includes a cafeteria, IT center, offices, an infirmary, staff room and sports areas. Also present at the ceremony were Education Minister Andrés Navarro, Public Works Minister Gonzalo Castillo and school director Manuel Soler.
https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias...or-brisas-del-este-estudiaran-de-manera-digna
DR hosts four Parlacen forums
The Dominican Republic is hosting four regional forums of the Central American Parliament with the participation of former presidents. Speaking at the event, Foreign Minister Miguel Vargas Maldonado highlighted the Parlacen helps understand politics in the region and advance in democracy and integration tasks in the region. Vargas spoke on behalf of President Danilo Medina during the opening of the Regional Parlacen Forums on Monday, 27 August 2018. The events are taking place at the Ministry of Foreign Relations convention center and Santo Domingo city hotels.
Former Presidents Martin Torrijos of Panama, Vinicio Cerezo of Guatemala, Jose Arnoldo Aleman of Nicaragua and Leonel Fernandez and Hipolito Mejia of the Dominican Republic are also participating. Also the secretary general of the Organization of American States, Luis Almagro and a delegation from the Russian Duma.
"Central America is composed of relatively small countries. Acting as a block is the most effective way to exert a greater influence in international organizations and call attention more vigorously to our needs and aspirations," said Vargas.
The four forums are:
“The New School, Qualitative Analysis of Education Policies in Central America and the Dominican Republic,” with the participation of Education Minister Andrés Navarro.
“Labor Rights of Women,” and “Women in Political Parties” with the participation of Vice President Margarita Cedeño.
“The Role and Future of Political Parties to 2030”
“Micro and Small Businesses in Tourism and their Impact on Local Development” with the participation of Tourism Minister Francisco Javier García.
http://www.mirex.gob.do/medios/noti...a-importancia-del-parlacen-como-foro-regional
Luis Almagro praises Dominican migratory policy
Organization of American States secretary general Luis Almagro had praise for the migratory practices in the Dominican Republic, calling Dominican migratory policy an example for the world. Almagro spoke during the 70th Anniversary of the OAS Charter held in Santo Domingo at the Ministry of Foreign Relations. Almagro said the Dominican Republic had achieved important advances in migratory policy with concrete and specific results that had not been achieved in the same proportion by any other country in the continent. In the past, Almagro had been very critical of Dominican migratory policy implementation.
http://eldia.com.do/almagro-elogia-politica-migratoria-y-avances-democraticos-de-rd/
New embassies in Vietnam, Bolivia, Turkey and Antigua & Barbuda
Foreign Minister Miguel Vargas Maldonado announced the opening embassies in Vietnam, Bolivia, Turkey and Antigua & Barbuda, during an interview at Listin Diario. He also said the country is working on improving its relations with countries in Africa and announcements would be made in September. He mentioned improving ties with Nigeria, in the interest of carrying out trade in petroleum and natural gas. He announced improved trade agreements with Chile, Cuba, Uruguay and Brazil.
Vargas also commented on the arrival to the country of United States Ambassador Robin Bernstein. He denied there are problems with the United States after the signing of diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China. The foreign minister said that the position of the Dominican state is to preserve the United States as its main ally in political, diplomatic and commercial relations. He remarked that during his term at the ministry, there has been an increase in collaboration and trade with the United States.
https://www.listindiario.com/la-rep...relaciones-con-eeuu-estan-en-su-mejor-momento
Legislators seek to undermine freedom of speech in the DR
Legislators recently incorporated in the recently passed Political Parties Law an article that undermines freedom of speech of Dominicans in practice in social media, at a time when there is decreased space for independent media. This is evidenced by the cancellation of radio and TV programs to independent journalists. The provision in the Political Parties Law calls for jail for those publishing negative comments on politicians in social media.
An editorial today in El Dia observes that other provisions had already been incorporated in the Law of Expression and Thought, in the Monetary and Financial Code, in the Law Against High Tech Crimes.
“It would seem that politicians that make the laws, those who draft the laws, and those who sign them into law, are more afraid of words than genocide, terrorism and corruption,” writes an editorial in El Dia on 29 August 2018. The editorialist observes that there are more laws that penalize verbal differences specifically than any other kind of crime in the Dominican Republic.
“What that scaffolding reflects is legislative intolerance, much less acceptable in times when not only is there talk about democracy, but there needs to be quality of democracy,” writes the editorialist.
The clause in the Political Parties Law would seem to be in violation with Art. 49 on Freedom of Speech and Information in the Dominican Constitution. The wording in the Political Parties Law could send government dissenters to jail for “negative comments” on campaigning politicians in social media.
Negative comments, nevertheless, are not defined. But the article in the Political Parties Law equals penalties for negative comments on campaigning politicians to the charges of defamation and personal injury set in other legislation, or penalties of three months to a year for those making these comments in social media.
The legislative clause establishes that the spreading of negative messages through social media that can affect the image of candidates will be penalized according to articles 21 and 22 of the Law 53-07 on high tech crimes. Those articles already refer to defamation and personal injury by electronic media and establish penalties that run from three months to a year in prison and fines from five to 500 minimum wages.
Art. 49 on Freedom of Speech in the 2015 Constitution establishes:
“All persons have the right to express freely their thoughts, ideas and opinions by any means, without prior censorship.
http://eldia.com.do/cinco-leyes-para-castigar-la-palabra/
https://dr1.com/forums/showthread.php/172912-DR1-Daily-News-Tuesday-21-August-2018
PNRE issues renewal of residency cards
According to Rafael Núñez Veloz, head of the foreigner’s division at the Migration Agency (DGM), some 203,000 foreigners registered again to renew or update their status under the National Foreigners’ Status Legalization Plan (PNRE). He said it would not be until the end of September that they have the exact number but that the next step will be to issue the cards in a process that will take until 10 October 2018.
Meanwhile,
http://almomento.net/autoridades-inscriben-203-mil-personas-en-plan-regularizacion-extranjeros/
JCE gives green light to early political campaigning
The president of the Central Electoral Board (JCE) Julio César Castaños Guzmán said that the political activity held on Sunday, 26 August 2018 during which PLD party president Leonel Fernández announced his aspirations to return to power in 2020, and the event planned for Sunday, 31 August by Hipólito Mejía, who also aspires to return to the presidency, do not violate the new Political Parties Law.
He said that Fernández had announced he would celebrate the meeting months before the passing of the law, as reported in Diario Libre. “In this there has to be prudence and reasoning on our behalf as a regulator,” he told journalists. He said soon the JCE would set the guidelines regarding these activities to put matters in order, but said that time is needed. He said the JCE does not have the right to intervene in the right to elect and be elected of citizens. He announced the first draft for the organization of primaries would be discussed on Tuesday, 4 September 2018 at the JCE and then communicated to the political parties for their opinion.
Meanwhile, the political party Dominicanos por el Cambio (DXC) requested that the JCE remove from roadways all propaganda placed by the pre-candidates of the ruling PLD in the understanding that this is in violation of the Political Parties Law.
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...olito-no-violan-la-ley-de-partidos-DC10658975
https://noticiassin.com/jce-seria-inconstitucional-prohibir-actividad-proselitista-de-mejia/
Will Margarita run for presidency?
Vice President Margarita Cedeño has said that when the time is right she will reveal her political aspirations regarding her participation in the 2020 general election. Speaking to the press on her arrival at the XVII Regional Meeting of Women in Political Parties, organized by the Centroamerican Parliament (Parlacen) at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in the capital city, she said that she had not attended the launching of her husband’s aspirations to be the PLD president candidate in 2020 because as Vice President she represents the whole country and not one particular party.
She went on to say, that as Fernández’s wife, he knows he can count on her but that this event was not a family activity and that he was fighting for institutionalism and respect for the Constitution. Into the 2016 presidential election, Cedeño had aspired to the PLD presidential nomination. Former President Leonel Fernández had also aspired to be the PLD presidential candidate in that election. Legislators loyal to President Danilo Medina, nevertheless, maneuvered in time to amend the 2010 Constitution in order to allow the reelection of their leader, who then was named the presidential candidate for the ruling party.
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...nunciar-sus-aspiraciones-politicas-BC10657134
https://www.listindiario.com/la-rep...to-a-todo-el-pais-no-actividades-particulares
https://www.metrord.do/do/destacado...-proselitismo-politico-busca-candidatura.html
Hipolito to run for president
Former President Hipólito Mejía has announced that next Sunday, 2 September 2018, he will launch his campaign for the nation’s highest office. Mejía was President from 2000-2004, having beaten the current President Danilo Medina in the 2000 election and the now deceased former President Joaquín Balaguer, who governed the country over different times for 22 years.
Mejía is now 77 years old. It was said he would make the official announcement at 11 am on Sunday, 2 September 2018. According to his spokesman, Eddy Olivares Ortega, he will then begin a nationwide tour with the first place to be visited being Villa Duarte in Santo Domingo the following Tuesday.
Mejia’s announcement comes just after another past President, Leonel Fernández, announced his own intentions to seek the presidential nomination of the ruling PLD party. Fernandez’s announcement occurred during a gathering of his followers at the Palacio de los Deportes on Sunday, 26 August 2018.
https://www.listindiario.com/la-republica/2018/08/28/530575/hipolito-vuelve-tras-presidencia
Procurement derogates rule that made corruption easy at Omsa
It took the Procurement Agency (DGCP) over a year to eliminate the rule that has allowed countless irregularities in the management of Omsa, the state bus company. Yokasta Guzmán, director, announced on 27 August 2018, the elimination of Clause 15-2008 that enabled “emergency” services to be contracted for the repair of vehicles, purchase of air tickets and purchase of fuel, among other procurement contracts without having to submit supporting documents or follow normal procurement processes.
https://www.listindiario.com/la-rep.../ponen-en-vigor-norma-de-control-para-compras
Mangos and avocados exported to Russia
For the first time, avocados and mangos from the Dominican Republic are on sale in Russia. The Russian market is regarded as an opening for export growth given that the country has 160 million consumers.
José Manuel Castillo Betances, Dominican ambassador in Russia, said that the Dominican mango and avocado exported to Russia are of high quality.
https://www.listindiario.com/econom...s-llegan-por-primera-vez-a-los-mercados-rusos
Canadian company to dredge Itabo area
Ocean Dredging DS, a Quebec-Canada based company, has been contracted to remove deep-water sediments affecting the Haina River bed area and Haina Oriental Port. In the Dominican Republic, Ocean Dredging DSM is affiliated with E&M International Consulting in the Dominican Republic. The long-term suction dredging contract was signed with the Dominican government-owned Empresa Generadora de Electricidad Itabo.
Attending the signing were Canadian Ambassador Shauna Hemingway; Regis Batista, Canadian trade commissioner; Nathalie Samson, senior trade commissioner; Lludelis Espinal and Vinicio Mella, president and executive director for E&M; lawyer Pridah Suero for Itabo; and Steve Côté, for Ocean Dredging.
Hemingway explained her country’s interest in this operation and in the DR in general: “The Government of Canada is committed to advocating responsible business practices that promote inclusive economic benefits for both the host country and Canada. As such, it expects and encourages all Canadian companies, of any size and in all sectors, to respect all applicable laws, to meet or even exceed international standards, to operate transparently and to conduct their activities in a socially and environmentally sustainable manner”
The company reports that the maintenance work, to be carried out annually with the crews of the hopper dredger Ocean Traverse Nord, will facilitate access to the Haina Oriental Port and ensure safety of the vessels. This will help support and sustain the economic growth of the country, being the ports a key element for the international commerce, Ocean said in a press release on occasion of the signing.
https://www.groupocean.com/en/news/view/111
https://www.groupocean.com/en/news/view/101
Mormon president to visit
93-year old Russell Marion Nelson Sr., president, and his wife Wendy Watson , elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) are scheduled to visit the Dominican Republic on Saturday, 1 September 2018. The agenda of Nelson, Sr. and Watson include a meeting with the church’s missionaries of East Santo Domingo at 10am. At 4pm, the couple will attend a special conference at the Los Alcarrizos church center.
Russell M. Nelson is the 17th president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was elected on 14 January 2018.
http://eldia.com.do/lider-de-los-mormones-visitara-rd-y-puerto-rico/
Bust of Juan Bosch in Hanoi
A bust of Juan Bosch, first President of the Dominican Republic after the 30-year regime of Dictator Rafael Trujillo, was unveiled at Hoa Binh Park in Hanoi, Vietnam, yesterday 28 August 2018. Addressing the ceremony, Tran Thanh Man, Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee, said Professor Juan Bosch was the vanguard in the struggle against dictatorial regimes and oppression so that the Dominican people could enjoy independence, sovereignty, freedom and happiness.
He said that Juan Bosch supported and absolutely trusted President Ho Chi Minh’s leadership in the struggle for national liberation and reunification of Vietnam, adding that he was also the one “sowing of the first seeds of the solidarity and friendship between the two nations”.
General Secretary of the Dominican Republic’s United Left Movement Miguel Mejia, who is also Minister for Regional Integration Policies, said his country has built a park named after Ho Chi Minh and a bust of the late Vietnamese President. The Dominican people respect and consider Ho Chi Minh as a bright example of fighting for freedom and building the great national unity bloc, he said.
The Ministry of Foreign Relations has announced the opening of a Dominican Embassy in Vietnam.
https://en.vietnamplus.vn/bust-of-first-dominican-president-inaugurated-in-hanoi/137236.vnp
Man killed on bus by stray bullet
The authorities have identified the man who was shot and killed while he was travelling as a passenger inside a bus on the San Pedro de Macorís-La Romana highway. He is 29-year old Héctor Cruz Báez, from Bonao, who had boarded the bus at 5:40pm, taking seat number 19. He was employed at a Punta Cana hotel to where he was headed at the time of his death.
When the bus reached the crossroads of the Autovía del Este, the highway connecting San Pedro de Macoris and La Romana, it appears that someone shot from the opposite side of the road. The bullet killed Cruz Báez. Following the incident the remaining passengers panicked and fled from the bus.
Agents from the criminal investigations center (Dicrim) of the Police are investigating the matter but suspects it was a stray bullet.
The man was taken to the Dr. Antonio Musa in San Pedro de Macorís, but he was died on route to the hospital, say the physicians who received him.
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...de-un-tiro-en-guagua-de-transporte-CC10655722
http://hoy.com.do/los-nuevos-detall...-bala-perdida-mientras-viajaba-en-un-autobus/
Marlin Martine’s defense continues to delay trial
The lawyers of the family of Emely Peguero, the teenager murdered in Duarte province, have said that the Marlin Martinez’s defense attorney, Ingrid Hidalgo, continues to attempt to delay the start of the trial that is due to start on Wednesday 29 August 2018.
José Hoepelman, lawyer for the plaintiffs, has said the trial will begin and that the request for an annulment is just a delaying tactic, a fact that everyone knows, including the judge, the parties and society. He also said this tactic was annoying and did not conform to the proper penal process.
https://www.listindiario.com/la-rep...emely-peguero-dice-pretenden-retardar-proceso
https://www.listindiario.com/la-rep...uspenderse-por-recurso-interpuesto-por-marlin
Luis Jose Asilis out of jail after reaching agreement with Venezuelan investors
Judge Alejandro Vargas put on hold the legal case for fraud and ordered the release from jail of Luis José Asilis, after the later reached an agreement to pay US$1 million to Venezuelan investors who sued him for embezzlement of US$674,900 in the sale of land in Juan Dolio. Vargas has pending a case for tax evasion, fraud, criminal association and asset laundering with the Tax Agency (DGII). Asilis is a major shareholder in Grupo Metro hotel and transport companies and in Lajun Corporation, the former operator of the Duquesa waste dump.
http://hoy.com.do/disponen-libertad-de-luis-jose-asilis-tras-acuerdo/
http://eldia.com.do/juez-suspende-temporalmente-caso-de-estafa-contra-empresario-asilis/
Rains on the way
The National Meteorological Office (ONAMET) says a tropical wave is crossing the country from the eastern part of the country to the west. This will bring with it clouds, rain and electric storms over the north east, south east and the center of the country moving onto other areas over the next day such as the north, central mountain area and the middle of the border area.
http://hoy.com.do/onda-tropical-y-vaguada-provocaran-aguaceros-con-tormentas-electricas-2/
DR hosts four Parlacen forums
Luis Almagro praises Dominican migratory policy
New embassies in Vietnam, Bolivia, Turkey and Antigua & Barbuda
Legislators seek to undermine freedom of speech in the DR
PNRE issues renewal of residency cards
JCE gives green light to early political campaigning
Will Margarita run for presidency?
Hipolito to run for president
Procurement derogates rule that made corruption easy at Omsa
Mangos and avocados exported to Russia
Canadian company to dredge Itabo area
Mormon president to visit
Bust of Juan Bosch in Hanoi
Man killed on bus by stray bullet
Marlin Martine’s defense continues to delay trial
Luis Jose Asilis out of jail after reaching agreement with Venezuelan investors
Rains on the way
President Medina attends opening of Santo Domingo public school
On Monday, 27 August 2018, President Danilo Medina inaugurated a public school with 27 classrooms with a capacity for 910 students in Villa Eloísa, Brisas del Este, Santo Domingo East. The school, Primary School 24 April, will offer the extended school day program. It includes a cafeteria, IT center, offices, an infirmary, staff room and sports areas. Also present at the ceremony were Education Minister Andrés Navarro, Public Works Minister Gonzalo Castillo and school director Manuel Soler.
https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias...or-brisas-del-este-estudiaran-de-manera-digna
DR hosts four Parlacen forums
The Dominican Republic is hosting four regional forums of the Central American Parliament with the participation of former presidents. Speaking at the event, Foreign Minister Miguel Vargas Maldonado highlighted the Parlacen helps understand politics in the region and advance in democracy and integration tasks in the region. Vargas spoke on behalf of President Danilo Medina during the opening of the Regional Parlacen Forums on Monday, 27 August 2018. The events are taking place at the Ministry of Foreign Relations convention center and Santo Domingo city hotels.
Former Presidents Martin Torrijos of Panama, Vinicio Cerezo of Guatemala, Jose Arnoldo Aleman of Nicaragua and Leonel Fernandez and Hipolito Mejia of the Dominican Republic are also participating. Also the secretary general of the Organization of American States, Luis Almagro and a delegation from the Russian Duma.
"Central America is composed of relatively small countries. Acting as a block is the most effective way to exert a greater influence in international organizations and call attention more vigorously to our needs and aspirations," said Vargas.
The four forums are:
“The New School, Qualitative Analysis of Education Policies in Central America and the Dominican Republic,” with the participation of Education Minister Andrés Navarro.
“Labor Rights of Women,” and “Women in Political Parties” with the participation of Vice President Margarita Cedeño.
“The Role and Future of Political Parties to 2030”
“Micro and Small Businesses in Tourism and their Impact on Local Development” with the participation of Tourism Minister Francisco Javier García.
http://www.mirex.gob.do/medios/noti...a-importancia-del-parlacen-como-foro-regional
Luis Almagro praises Dominican migratory policy
Organization of American States secretary general Luis Almagro had praise for the migratory practices in the Dominican Republic, calling Dominican migratory policy an example for the world. Almagro spoke during the 70th Anniversary of the OAS Charter held in Santo Domingo at the Ministry of Foreign Relations. Almagro said the Dominican Republic had achieved important advances in migratory policy with concrete and specific results that had not been achieved in the same proportion by any other country in the continent. In the past, Almagro had been very critical of Dominican migratory policy implementation.
http://eldia.com.do/almagro-elogia-politica-migratoria-y-avances-democraticos-de-rd/
New embassies in Vietnam, Bolivia, Turkey and Antigua & Barbuda
Foreign Minister Miguel Vargas Maldonado announced the opening embassies in Vietnam, Bolivia, Turkey and Antigua & Barbuda, during an interview at Listin Diario. He also said the country is working on improving its relations with countries in Africa and announcements would be made in September. He mentioned improving ties with Nigeria, in the interest of carrying out trade in petroleum and natural gas. He announced improved trade agreements with Chile, Cuba, Uruguay and Brazil.
Vargas also commented on the arrival to the country of United States Ambassador Robin Bernstein. He denied there are problems with the United States after the signing of diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China. The foreign minister said that the position of the Dominican state is to preserve the United States as its main ally in political, diplomatic and commercial relations. He remarked that during his term at the ministry, there has been an increase in collaboration and trade with the United States.
https://www.listindiario.com/la-rep...relaciones-con-eeuu-estan-en-su-mejor-momento
Legislators seek to undermine freedom of speech in the DR
Legislators recently incorporated in the recently passed Political Parties Law an article that undermines freedom of speech of Dominicans in practice in social media, at a time when there is decreased space for independent media. This is evidenced by the cancellation of radio and TV programs to independent journalists. The provision in the Political Parties Law calls for jail for those publishing negative comments on politicians in social media.
An editorial today in El Dia observes that other provisions had already been incorporated in the Law of Expression and Thought, in the Monetary and Financial Code, in the Law Against High Tech Crimes.
“It would seem that politicians that make the laws, those who draft the laws, and those who sign them into law, are more afraid of words than genocide, terrorism and corruption,” writes an editorial in El Dia on 29 August 2018. The editorialist observes that there are more laws that penalize verbal differences specifically than any other kind of crime in the Dominican Republic.
“What that scaffolding reflects is legislative intolerance, much less acceptable in times when not only is there talk about democracy, but there needs to be quality of democracy,” writes the editorialist.
The clause in the Political Parties Law would seem to be in violation with Art. 49 on Freedom of Speech and Information in the Dominican Constitution. The wording in the Political Parties Law could send government dissenters to jail for “negative comments” on campaigning politicians in social media.
Negative comments, nevertheless, are not defined. But the article in the Political Parties Law equals penalties for negative comments on campaigning politicians to the charges of defamation and personal injury set in other legislation, or penalties of three months to a year for those making these comments in social media.
The legislative clause establishes that the spreading of negative messages through social media that can affect the image of candidates will be penalized according to articles 21 and 22 of the Law 53-07 on high tech crimes. Those articles already refer to defamation and personal injury by electronic media and establish penalties that run from three months to a year in prison and fines from five to 500 minimum wages.
Art. 49 on Freedom of Speech in the 2015 Constitution establishes:
“All persons have the right to express freely their thoughts, ideas and opinions by any means, without prior censorship.
http://eldia.com.do/cinco-leyes-para-castigar-la-palabra/
https://dr1.com/forums/showthread.php/172912-DR1-Daily-News-Tuesday-21-August-2018
PNRE issues renewal of residency cards
According to Rafael Núñez Veloz, head of the foreigner’s division at the Migration Agency (DGM), some 203,000 foreigners registered again to renew or update their status under the National Foreigners’ Status Legalization Plan (PNRE). He said it would not be until the end of September that they have the exact number but that the next step will be to issue the cards in a process that will take until 10 October 2018.
Meanwhile,
http://almomento.net/autoridades-inscriben-203-mil-personas-en-plan-regularizacion-extranjeros/
JCE gives green light to early political campaigning
The president of the Central Electoral Board (JCE) Julio César Castaños Guzmán said that the political activity held on Sunday, 26 August 2018 during which PLD party president Leonel Fernández announced his aspirations to return to power in 2020, and the event planned for Sunday, 31 August by Hipólito Mejía, who also aspires to return to the presidency, do not violate the new Political Parties Law.
He said that Fernández had announced he would celebrate the meeting months before the passing of the law, as reported in Diario Libre. “In this there has to be prudence and reasoning on our behalf as a regulator,” he told journalists. He said soon the JCE would set the guidelines regarding these activities to put matters in order, but said that time is needed. He said the JCE does not have the right to intervene in the right to elect and be elected of citizens. He announced the first draft for the organization of primaries would be discussed on Tuesday, 4 September 2018 at the JCE and then communicated to the political parties for their opinion.
Meanwhile, the political party Dominicanos por el Cambio (DXC) requested that the JCE remove from roadways all propaganda placed by the pre-candidates of the ruling PLD in the understanding that this is in violation of the Political Parties Law.
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...olito-no-violan-la-ley-de-partidos-DC10658975
https://noticiassin.com/jce-seria-inconstitucional-prohibir-actividad-proselitista-de-mejia/
Will Margarita run for presidency?
Vice President Margarita Cedeño has said that when the time is right she will reveal her political aspirations regarding her participation in the 2020 general election. Speaking to the press on her arrival at the XVII Regional Meeting of Women in Political Parties, organized by the Centroamerican Parliament (Parlacen) at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in the capital city, she said that she had not attended the launching of her husband’s aspirations to be the PLD president candidate in 2020 because as Vice President she represents the whole country and not one particular party.
She went on to say, that as Fernández’s wife, he knows he can count on her but that this event was not a family activity and that he was fighting for institutionalism and respect for the Constitution. Into the 2016 presidential election, Cedeño had aspired to the PLD presidential nomination. Former President Leonel Fernández had also aspired to be the PLD presidential candidate in that election. Legislators loyal to President Danilo Medina, nevertheless, maneuvered in time to amend the 2010 Constitution in order to allow the reelection of their leader, who then was named the presidential candidate for the ruling party.
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...nunciar-sus-aspiraciones-politicas-BC10657134
https://www.listindiario.com/la-rep...to-a-todo-el-pais-no-actividades-particulares
https://www.metrord.do/do/destacado...-proselitismo-politico-busca-candidatura.html
Hipolito to run for president
Former President Hipólito Mejía has announced that next Sunday, 2 September 2018, he will launch his campaign for the nation’s highest office. Mejía was President from 2000-2004, having beaten the current President Danilo Medina in the 2000 election and the now deceased former President Joaquín Balaguer, who governed the country over different times for 22 years.
Mejía is now 77 years old. It was said he would make the official announcement at 11 am on Sunday, 2 September 2018. According to his spokesman, Eddy Olivares Ortega, he will then begin a nationwide tour with the first place to be visited being Villa Duarte in Santo Domingo the following Tuesday.
Mejia’s announcement comes just after another past President, Leonel Fernández, announced his own intentions to seek the presidential nomination of the ruling PLD party. Fernandez’s announcement occurred during a gathering of his followers at the Palacio de los Deportes on Sunday, 26 August 2018.
https://www.listindiario.com/la-republica/2018/08/28/530575/hipolito-vuelve-tras-presidencia
Procurement derogates rule that made corruption easy at Omsa
It took the Procurement Agency (DGCP) over a year to eliminate the rule that has allowed countless irregularities in the management of Omsa, the state bus company. Yokasta Guzmán, director, announced on 27 August 2018, the elimination of Clause 15-2008 that enabled “emergency” services to be contracted for the repair of vehicles, purchase of air tickets and purchase of fuel, among other procurement contracts without having to submit supporting documents or follow normal procurement processes.
https://www.listindiario.com/la-rep.../ponen-en-vigor-norma-de-control-para-compras
Mangos and avocados exported to Russia
For the first time, avocados and mangos from the Dominican Republic are on sale in Russia. The Russian market is regarded as an opening for export growth given that the country has 160 million consumers.
José Manuel Castillo Betances, Dominican ambassador in Russia, said that the Dominican mango and avocado exported to Russia are of high quality.
https://www.listindiario.com/econom...s-llegan-por-primera-vez-a-los-mercados-rusos
Canadian company to dredge Itabo area
Ocean Dredging DS, a Quebec-Canada based company, has been contracted to remove deep-water sediments affecting the Haina River bed area and Haina Oriental Port. In the Dominican Republic, Ocean Dredging DSM is affiliated with E&M International Consulting in the Dominican Republic. The long-term suction dredging contract was signed with the Dominican government-owned Empresa Generadora de Electricidad Itabo.
Attending the signing were Canadian Ambassador Shauna Hemingway; Regis Batista, Canadian trade commissioner; Nathalie Samson, senior trade commissioner; Lludelis Espinal and Vinicio Mella, president and executive director for E&M; lawyer Pridah Suero for Itabo; and Steve Côté, for Ocean Dredging.
Hemingway explained her country’s interest in this operation and in the DR in general: “The Government of Canada is committed to advocating responsible business practices that promote inclusive economic benefits for both the host country and Canada. As such, it expects and encourages all Canadian companies, of any size and in all sectors, to respect all applicable laws, to meet or even exceed international standards, to operate transparently and to conduct their activities in a socially and environmentally sustainable manner”
The company reports that the maintenance work, to be carried out annually with the crews of the hopper dredger Ocean Traverse Nord, will facilitate access to the Haina Oriental Port and ensure safety of the vessels. This will help support and sustain the economic growth of the country, being the ports a key element for the international commerce, Ocean said in a press release on occasion of the signing.
https://www.groupocean.com/en/news/view/111
https://www.groupocean.com/en/news/view/101
Mormon president to visit
93-year old Russell Marion Nelson Sr., president, and his wife Wendy Watson , elder Dale G. Renlund of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of the Church of Jesus of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) are scheduled to visit the Dominican Republic on Saturday, 1 September 2018. The agenda of Nelson, Sr. and Watson include a meeting with the church’s missionaries of East Santo Domingo at 10am. At 4pm, the couple will attend a special conference at the Los Alcarrizos church center.
Russell M. Nelson is the 17th president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He was elected on 14 January 2018.
http://eldia.com.do/lider-de-los-mormones-visitara-rd-y-puerto-rico/
Bust of Juan Bosch in Hanoi
A bust of Juan Bosch, first President of the Dominican Republic after the 30-year regime of Dictator Rafael Trujillo, was unveiled at Hoa Binh Park in Hanoi, Vietnam, yesterday 28 August 2018. Addressing the ceremony, Tran Thanh Man, Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee, said Professor Juan Bosch was the vanguard in the struggle against dictatorial regimes and oppression so that the Dominican people could enjoy independence, sovereignty, freedom and happiness.
He said that Juan Bosch supported and absolutely trusted President Ho Chi Minh’s leadership in the struggle for national liberation and reunification of Vietnam, adding that he was also the one “sowing of the first seeds of the solidarity and friendship between the two nations”.
General Secretary of the Dominican Republic’s United Left Movement Miguel Mejia, who is also Minister for Regional Integration Policies, said his country has built a park named after Ho Chi Minh and a bust of the late Vietnamese President. The Dominican people respect and consider Ho Chi Minh as a bright example of fighting for freedom and building the great national unity bloc, he said.
The Ministry of Foreign Relations has announced the opening of a Dominican Embassy in Vietnam.
https://en.vietnamplus.vn/bust-of-first-dominican-president-inaugurated-in-hanoi/137236.vnp
Man killed on bus by stray bullet
The authorities have identified the man who was shot and killed while he was travelling as a passenger inside a bus on the San Pedro de Macorís-La Romana highway. He is 29-year old Héctor Cruz Báez, from Bonao, who had boarded the bus at 5:40pm, taking seat number 19. He was employed at a Punta Cana hotel to where he was headed at the time of his death.
When the bus reached the crossroads of the Autovía del Este, the highway connecting San Pedro de Macoris and La Romana, it appears that someone shot from the opposite side of the road. The bullet killed Cruz Báez. Following the incident the remaining passengers panicked and fled from the bus.
Agents from the criminal investigations center (Dicrim) of the Police are investigating the matter but suspects it was a stray bullet.
The man was taken to the Dr. Antonio Musa in San Pedro de Macorís, but he was died on route to the hospital, say the physicians who received him.
https://www.diariolibre.com/noticia...de-un-tiro-en-guagua-de-transporte-CC10655722
http://hoy.com.do/los-nuevos-detall...-bala-perdida-mientras-viajaba-en-un-autobus/
Marlin Martine’s defense continues to delay trial
The lawyers of the family of Emely Peguero, the teenager murdered in Duarte province, have said that the Marlin Martinez’s defense attorney, Ingrid Hidalgo, continues to attempt to delay the start of the trial that is due to start on Wednesday 29 August 2018.
José Hoepelman, lawyer for the plaintiffs, has said the trial will begin and that the request for an annulment is just a delaying tactic, a fact that everyone knows, including the judge, the parties and society. He also said this tactic was annoying and did not conform to the proper penal process.
https://www.listindiario.com/la-rep...emely-peguero-dice-pretenden-retardar-proceso
https://www.listindiario.com/la-rep...uspenderse-por-recurso-interpuesto-por-marlin
Luis Jose Asilis out of jail after reaching agreement with Venezuelan investors
Judge Alejandro Vargas put on hold the legal case for fraud and ordered the release from jail of Luis José Asilis, after the later reached an agreement to pay US$1 million to Venezuelan investors who sued him for embezzlement of US$674,900 in the sale of land in Juan Dolio. Vargas has pending a case for tax evasion, fraud, criminal association and asset laundering with the Tax Agency (DGII). Asilis is a major shareholder in Grupo Metro hotel and transport companies and in Lajun Corporation, the former operator of the Duquesa waste dump.
http://hoy.com.do/disponen-libertad-de-luis-jose-asilis-tras-acuerdo/
http://eldia.com.do/juez-suspende-temporalmente-caso-de-estafa-contra-empresario-asilis/
Rains on the way
The National Meteorological Office (ONAMET) says a tropical wave is crossing the country from the eastern part of the country to the west. This will bring with it clouds, rain and electric storms over the north east, south east and the center of the country moving onto other areas over the next day such as the north, central mountain area and the middle of the border area.
http://hoy.com.do/onda-tropical-y-vaguada-provocaran-aguaceros-con-tormentas-electricas-2/