Attorney General “apologizes”, but says he never violated ruling and evidence presented was important
Vice President Margarita Cedeño feels its time for a woman president
First Lady Candida Montilla in the UAE
Medina administration says it has a Cybersecurity Plan
Castaños Guzmán: Too many international criminals find refuge here
Drought is severe, only two dams operating normally
Political parties have not submitted accounts for 2018
US ambassador ambivalent about reelection of President Danilo Medina
Army receive equipment for DR-Haiti patrols from US government
Haiti government against adding an extra day to Dajabón market
Sex trade flourishes in the Dominican Republic
Prosecutors search the home of Bernardo Alemán in Montecristi
Fire at Acropolis Mall
Appeal against the ban on hookahs
More illegal crossing to Puerto Rico and one drowned
Dominican filmmakers vote on the best local films
Attorney General “apologizes”, but says he never violated ruling and evidence presented was important
In his apology delivered to the nation from the Presidential Palace after a three-hour meeting of the National Council of the Magistracy on 12 March 2019, CNM member Attorney General Jean Alain Rodriguez remarked it was never his intention to offend the woman or mother in Supreme Court of Justice judge Miriam German Brito. He said he would remove himself from deliberations as to whether the judge should continue or not in the Supreme Court of Justice in response to what he called the “unnecessary controversy” his Monday accusations had generated.
But then, the Attorney General rambled on for another five minutes to defend his much-criticized evidence that he had presented during his assessment of the judge on Monday, 4 March 2019. Miriam Germán Brito has had a 40-year career in the judiciary and is highly reputed. The media would come to her defense and show the evidence presented by the Attorney General was but fake news.
Nevertheless, Rodríguez would defend his presenting of “evidence” on why the judge should not continue in her position. He insisted he was doing his job with maximum rigor and transparency and within the limits established by law. He reiterated that he was motivated by the mandate to ensure the integrity, impartiality, independence and objectiveness of the judges of the Supreme of Justice and he understood the public hearing was the correct scenario for the presenting of the evidence.
He then repeated that the judge was a personal friend of one of the incriminated in the Odebrecht bribes case and said he did so to contribute to the National Council of the Magistracy taking the decisions that strengthen the judiciary in the Dominican Republic.
Judge Miriam Germán Brito has warned the US$92 million Odebrecht bribes case could fall through because of errors in the preparing of the case under Attorney General. Rodríguez chose not to send Dominican prosecutors to Brazil to interview the Brazilian company officers that have admitted to paying the bribes to Dominican government officers. This means the evidence cannot be used in a Dominican court and would overturn the case against the seven accused of taking bribes in the Dominican Republic.
In her 13 March 2019 commentary on the presentation, journalist Altagracia Salazar in her “Sin Maquillaje” channel on YouTube, said that the body language of PLD secretary general Reinaldo Pared Perez at the presentation said it all. In a later tweet, Pared Perez explains that it had been agreed by the CNM that Rodríguez would just announce he would remove himself from the deliberations regarding judge Miriam German Brito.
While Pared Perez was showing surprise and displeasure on his face, the PRM opposition members of the National Council of Magistracy, senator Jose Ignacio Paliza and deputy Josefa Castillo, would walk off the podium to protest that Rodríguez defended his accusations against the aspiring judge.
Salazar commented that if the intention of the “apology” was to chill the waters for the ruling PLD party, his statement had done the contrary. Rosario Espinal, in a commentary in Hoy newspaper, said that the Tuesday, 12 March statements by Jean Alain Rodríguez are damaging to the aspirations of President Danilo Medina to seek reelection. Medina had said that he would announce his intention to run this March. Social media and prominent critics have insisted that Rodríguez is but a pawn of the President in his intent to dominate in the Judicial Branch. Recently, Rodríguez fast-tracked an overhaul of the prosecutors in the country.
Listin Diario reported that judge Miriam Germán Brito said she would issue a reply to the evening statements by Rodríguez on Wednesday, 13 March.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7eJB_upfPDc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izYBFREVq8Y
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSv4P3BbxyA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrbUWoxBruA
https://acento.com.do/2019/opinion/8659935-danilo-medina-tollo-ultimo-inning/
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...rocurador-hablara-de-su-inhibicion-NA12305594
https://eldia.com.do/procurador-afirma-nunca-quiso-faltar-el-respeto-a-la-jueza-miriam-german/
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...rador-sorprende-y-justifica-accion-ante-jueza
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...n-brito-respondera-hoy-a-jean-alain-rodriguez
Vice President Margarita Cedeño feels its time for a woman president
In an interview with Telemundo Channel 47 in New York City, Vice President Margarita Cedeño confirmed her aspiration to be the ruling PLD presidential candidate for the 2020 general elections. She told the reporters the time has come for a woman to take on the leadership in a country where male politicians dominate.
The Vice President had aspired to be the PLD candidate in the 2016 election. She sees herself as an alternative to those who back President Danilo Medina seeking second reelection and her husband, former President Leonel Fernandez who is a running pre-candidate and seeks a fourth term in office. Cedeño was First Lady from 2004-2008 and 2008-2012, and has served as Vice President under the two terms of President Danilo Medina.
The Vice President was in New York to speak on 11 March 2019 at the open Arria-formula meeting of the UN Security Council’s Women, Peace and Security Agenda. The meeting took place in the midst of the 63rd session of the Commission on the Status of Women that was convened from 11-22 March 2019 at the UN headquarters.
During her presentation, Cedeño urged nations to fight the impunity of gender crimes against women and girls. She called for the drafting of norms to address this discrimination. She says to do so contributes to peace and security. She urged the struggle encompass rape in armed conflict areas and female genital mutilation.
Also participating in the meeting was former President of Chile Michelle Bachelet, UN adjunct secretary general for juridical affairs Miguel Serpa Soares and judge Theodor Meron, president of the International Penal Court of Yugoslavia.
Previously, Cedeño had met with Jose Singer, Dominican ambassador to the United Nations Security Council.
The Vice President also spoke on Tuesday, 12 March 2019 on “Scenarios and Costs for Social and Gender Protection in the Dominican Republic” at the meeting on Social Protection for Gender Equality and Women Empowerment. Proposals for their adequate financing.
On her New York agenda also was a bilateral meeting with former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet at the United Nations and meetings with the Dominican community. She had a scheduled meeting with Phumzile Mlambo, former Vice President of South Africa and executive director of United Nations Women.
She also was scheduled to meet with the regional director for Latin America and the Caribbean for the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Luis Felipe Lopez. And with the President Kersti Kaljulaid, of Estonia, known for the digitalization of his country. Cedeño seeks collaboration for the 103 Community Technological Centers (CTCs) that run under a program funded by her office.
The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women. A functional commission of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), it was established by Council resolution in 1946.
Vice President Cedeño is next scheduled to continue on to Panama on 13 March 2019 after accepting an invitation by Vice President and Foreign Minister Isabel de Saint Malo de Alvarado. She will participate in an activity of the secretariat of Secretaría de la Integración Social Centroamericana (SISCA), in a panel sponsored by UN Women, Banistmo Bank, and the InterAmerican Development Bank, and the Mac Gala 2019, a benefit for the Panama Contemporary Arts Museum.
https://www.telemundo47.com/noticia...ecandidatura-a-la-presidencia--507007971.html
http://www.unwomen.org/en/csw
https://vicepresidencia.gob.do/vicerdo/vicepresidenta/margarita-cedeno-lizardo/
https://vicepresidencia.gob.do/vice...impunidad-en-crimenes-contra-mujeres-y-ninas/
First Lady Candida Montilla in the UAE
First Lady Cándida Montilla de Medina is in Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates since Monday, 11 March 2019 to attend the Special Summer Olympic Games that are being held there through 21 March. She is accompanied by Martha Rodríguez and Miguel Reyes, technical coordinator and advisor on international affairs respectively from her Office.
The First Lady is the guest of honor for the official ceremonies at the games, including the opening ceremony. Some 7,500 athletes from 170 countries are taking part in the games.
The Dominican Republic is represented by 21 athletes in the disciplines of athletics, bowling, swimming, gymnastics, tennis, triathlon and beach volleyball.
In addition, First Lady Montilla will have a full agenda of meetings to strengthen relationships between her office and institutions in the UAE in the area of social inclusion and will be signing agreements with thee Dubai with the Autism Center and the University of Dubai.
First reports from Abu Dhabi is that Alejandro Batlle became the first Dominican to medal in the competitions. He won a bronze in triathlon.
https://eldia.com.do/primera-dama-l...-juegos-mundiales-olimpiadas-especiales-2019/
https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias...autismo-de-dubai-identificaran-necesidades-de
Medina administration says it has a Cybersecurity Plan
The government approved a cybersecurity plan in order to have a road map to protect the state, the population and national development. Minister of the Presidency Gustavo Montalvo made the announcement from the Presidential Palace on 12 March 2019. He said the Cybersecurity Board of Directors of the Medina administration approved the Cybersecurity Plan 2018-2021 at the meeting on Monday, 11 March 2019.
Members of the board are Minister of the Presidency Gustavo Montalvo, Defense Minister, the Interior & Police Minister, the director of the Dominican Telecommunications Institute, the director of the Presidential Office for Information and Communication Technologies (OPTIC), the National Investigations Department and the National Police.
The plan seeks to strengthen the legal and institutional framework, protect critical national infrastructure, educate in matters of security, and consolidate national and international alliances in a global context.
Castaños Guzmán: Too many international criminals find refuge here
This week, the media focused on how the judicial authorities authorized that 17,637 phones be tapped as part of the investigations into different cases during 2017 and 2018. The intense espionage activity, nevertheless, seems to have not been effective in detection of international criminals taking refuge in the country.
Servio Tulio Castaños Guzmán, executive vice president of the Fundación Institucionalidad y Justicia (FINJUS), protests the high number of tapings in a democratic country. He also expressed his concern that so many international criminals have been taking refuge in the country. "Many people who have committed crimes end up taking refuge here and I have always said that the intelligence agencies have to be more effective. The security forces of a nation are there to ensure that situations like these do not happen," said Castaños Guzmán.
He criticized that known international capos have been operating businesses in the country. "I believe that the security systems of this country, especially the intelligence services, need to be revised," he said.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...es-aprueban-plan-de-ciberseguridad-en-el-pais
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...ntidad-intervencion-de-telefonos-causa-alarma
Drought is severe, only two dams operating normally
According to Alejandro Montas, director of the Santo Domingo Corporation of Aqueducts and Sewers (CAASD), and Olgo Fernández of the National Institute of Hydrological Resources, INDRHI, of the 24 dams in the country only two are operating adequately. This is why measures are being taken to guarantee water for the population. Montás explained the water rationing for the National District affects car washing. Fernandez said that the production of rice and bananas is beginning to be affected.
Agriculture Minister Osmar Benítez says that fresh produce supply is still adequate.
The dams of Hatillo and Valdesia-Jigüey-Aguacate and the reservoir Las Barías are the only ones operating at normal levels. Almost out of service are the aqueducts of Haina-Manoguayabo, La Isabela, Isa Mana and Duey that supply water to Greater Santo Domingo.
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...suficiente-afirman-las-autoridades-NI12292609
https://listindiario.com/economia/2...tado-el-suministro-de-los-productos-agricolas
Political parties have not submitted accounts for 2018
According to the Central Electoral Board (JCE), the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD), the Revolutionary Modern Party (PRM) and the Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD) have not handed in the mandatory accounts as to how they spent the RD$252,080,000 each received from the government in 2018. The deadline for the reporting was 16 February 2019. The parties now are in violation of Article 68 of the Political Parties Law 33-18.
According to the Specialized Unit of Financial Control of the Political Parties of the JCE, the parties have not accounted for how RD$756 million has been spent.
Only the Social Christian Reform Party (PRSC) has fully complied and presented the mandatory report. The PRD reported only in the first semester of 2018.
In 2018, political parties that had received more than 5% of the votes in the May 2016 elections, PLD, PRM, PRD and PRSC, received RD$252,080,000 each to assist with their political party activities.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...o-sabe-como-partidos-gastaron-rd-756-millones
US ambassador ambivalent about reelection of President Danilo Medina
The United States’ ambassador in the Dominican Republic Robin Bernstein has said that the re-election of President Danilo Medina is a decision up to the Dominican people when asked by Alicia Ortega of Grupo SIN if the reelection of the Dominican president could affect relations with the United States. Bernstein stated that the United States’ administration respects “the sovereignty, rights that govern us and the free self-determination of the people”.
She added: "So in regards to the sovereignty of the Dominican people, I repeat, that is in the hands of the Dominican people. What works best in the United States is that we respect the rule of law and the Constitution,” she said. “I can only tell you what works best in the United States, democracy and the rule of law.”
She said that it did not matter who was sitting in the Presidential Palace. She said that what was important is that she had a good relationship with the President.
She went on to say that her responsibility in the Dominican Republic was to grow the relationship between the two countries and to support initiatives, cooperation and collaboration.
https://almomento.net/embajadora-eu...-ni-apoya-ni-rechaza-proyecto-reeleccionista/
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2019/03...s-unidos-funciona-el-respeto-la-constitucion/
Army receive equipment for DR-Haiti patrols from US government
The Janes website on military equipment reports that the US government has donated new equipment to be used by Dominican joint task force military units that patrol the border with Haiti. The equipment includes “buggy” vehicles for patrol, night-vision goggles, at least four unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) quadcopters and several Kevlar helmets from the US Embassy in Santo Domingo.
https://www.janes.com/article/87124...new-facilities-and-obtains-military-equipment
Haiti government against adding extra day to Dajabón market
Abigail Bueno, president of the Dajabón Market Vendors Association, says that the Dominican-Haitian market days at the facility built by the European Union on the border continue but only on Mondays and Fridays. The plan to add an extra market day on Wednesdays hasn’t materialized, as reported by Haiti Libre. Bueno said that the Haitian authorities didn’t approve the additional day and had warned the traders and buyers in Haiti that they could risk having their goods seized. Bueno said that regardless, Haitians cross the border every day of the week to buy food, medicines, building materials, spare parts for vehicles and other goods in Dajabón.
As reported, trade volume during the two days is estimated at US$1.2 to US$1.5 million per week, although sometimes due to tension in Haiti or serious incidents at the border, the number of transactions can fall and settle between US$60,000 and US$120,000 dollars for the two days, according to the merchants on both sides of the border.
The European Union market facility has an area of over 40,000 m2 and includes a ring road and parking. On a single market day at least 2,600 Dominican and Haitian merchants converge.
Haiti Libre reports that on the periphery of the covered market, there are between 15,000 and 25,000 vendors from the two countries who on Mondays and Fridays also offer products and merchandise of all kinds. As reported, all the merchants of Cap-Haïtien, neighboring cities and those living near the border source from the cross-border market of Dajabón.
https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-...-million-dollars-of-transaction-per-week.html
Sex trade flourishes in the Dominican Republic
The Center for Integral Orientation and Investigation (COIN), a non-governmental organization for sexual and reproductive health in the Dominican Republic, estimates that around 250,000 women make a living from sex work in the country.
COIN research reveals that in addition to the traditional prostitutes, there are those involved in virtual sex, and the “chapiadoras” (female sanky pankies) and “chapiadoritas.” The latter are minors that do sexual favors in exchange for gifts or cash for around 200,000 Dominican women involved in sex work.
Likewise, COIN estimates at around 6,000, the number of foreign women who offer their services primarily in tourist destinations. Of these, around 3,000 are Venezuelans, and 2,000 Haitians.
The most popular tourist areas where the women find work are Sosúa and Cabarete in Puerto Plata, Boca Chica in Santo Domingo, Punta Cana in the East and Las Terrenas in Samana.
An estimated 100,000 women have gone abroad to earn hard currency for their trade and live in Antigua (16,000), Guadeloupe (10,000), Curacao (1,000), Dominica (900), Haiti (500), Italy, Switzerland, Germany and Spain. COIN says that the contacts for the overseas work are either via organized networks or family members.
The director of COIN, sociologist Santo Rosario told Listin Diario that 90% of the women know they are going to work in the sex trade and are not lured abroad under false promises. Nevertheless, Rosario said the women take on the work for the money. He says in most cases they need the money to maintain their children. They are victims of social exclusion, unemployment and low wages in the Dominican Republic.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...l-mujeres-viven-del-trabajo-sexual-en-el-pais
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...-dalia-que-huyo-de-su-pais-para-dar-su-cuerpo
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...rdiaco-durante-orgia-en-punta-cana-JI12293309
Prosecutors search home of Bernardo Alemán in Montecristi
The home of 63-year old deputy Bernardo Alemán (PRM-Montecristi) was searched on Tuesday, 12 March 2019. He was present. The deputy is accused of sexual crimes against two minors, now ages 16 and 17 years. The search was to find evidence that can be used to incriminate him. Because he has special privileges, the deputy cannot be arrested until the present legislative session concludes in July 2019.
Last year, investigative reporter Nuria Piera had first leaked the story of a 15-year old who accused the legislator of having beaten her and having had sex with her for around a year. In the same interview, Alemán admitted to the relationship but argued she was older than she says. He said the girl does not have a birth certificate.
http://pgr.gob.do/2019/03/12/minist...lacion-a-delitos-sexuales-contra-dos-menores/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5WuPF7zd5g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2c5mKQHhT9k
Fire at Acropolis mall
A large fire engulfed the second floor at Acropolis Mall on the Av. Winston Churchill on the afternoon of Tuesday, 12 March 2019. The management of the plaza said all staff and visitors were evacuated and no one was injured. In the late afternoon, the fire had been put out. Traffic on Av. Winston Churchill was affected after the area was cleared for the fire engines putting out the fire. What started the fire is yet to be notified.
Appeal against the ban on hookahs
The Association of Entertainment Businesses (ASECEDI) has placed an appeal against Law 16-19 that forbade the use of hookahs. The association that represents owners of hookah lounges says the law is discriminatory. They allege there are 15,000 to 16,000 bars where at least three patrons use the hookahs in each. That is 48,000 people that will be affected by this law, they argue. They also say thousands will lose their jobs.
Law 16-19 prohibits the use of the hookah in public and private areas throughout the country in closed spaces and in vehicles used for passenger transport. The fine for breaking the law is five to ten minimum salaries for those owners of establishments where the hookah is used. The consumers can also be fined.
Hookah business owner Farid Chalhoud criticized recent confiscations of hookahs for sale in stores. He said that while the new law bans the use of hookahs in closed public and private places or in vehicles for the transport of passengers, there is nothing against a person smoking hookah from his own balcony or back yard with friends.
http://hoy.com.do/han-despedido-48-...ah-presentan-recurso-de-inconstitucionalidad/
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...icias-las-retienen-sin-presencia-de-un-fiscal
More illegal crossing to Puerto Rico and one drowned
One person has drowned and another 15 were rescued by the Dominican Armada off Catalina Island south of La Romana from a sinking boat. The people were headed to Puerto Rico on an illegal boat trip.
Another nine people on the same boat managed to escape by swimming to shore. The survivors and the two boat captains were later arrested by officers from M2 Naval Intelligence.
The captains were identified as Juan Pablo Medina y Medina and José Luis Montero Feliz who abandoned their passengers as soon as the boat began sinking. Both were arrested in Barahona, hours after the tragedy occurred and will be prosecuted.
The Navy also said that two other illegal boats were stopped in the areas of Playa Bonita and Baoba del Piñal on the north coast.
In less than a week, nine illegal trips have been prevented by Intelligence Officers of the Dominican Armada, and more than 90 people arrested, including several foreigners who arrived in this country on tourist cards.
http://hoy.com.do/video-una-persona-muere-y-15-sobreviven-al-zozobrar-yola-que-iba-a-puerto-rico/
Dominican film-makers vote on the best local films
“Lo que siento por ti”, a film by Raúl Camilo, was the big winner of the Premios La Silla, on Friday, 8 March 2019 at the auditorium of the Sports Hall of Fame at the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center. The awards are organized by the Asociación Dominicana de Profesionales de la Industria del Cine (Adocine).
The film starring actors Frank Perozo and Nashla Bogaert won Best Movie, Best Producer (Oscar Villanueva and Gabriel Tineo), Best Script (Giovanna Bonelly), Best Editing (Gina Giudicelli and José Miguel Mejía), Best Score (Sergio Jiménez Lacima and Peng Bian), Best Sound. The movie is the story of Ana, a woman abandoned by her husband and her two autistic children and how they positively impacted the people around them.
Leticia Tonos’ “Juanita” won awards for Best Director, Best Lead Actress (Cheddy García), Best Song (“Juanita no come cuento”, with Milly Quezada), Best Secondary Actress (Ruth Emeterio) and Best Artistic Direction (Lorelei Sanz). Juanita is the story of a Dominican migrant in Spain and her return to the country with her Spanish husband.
The list of winners:
Best Movie
“Lo que siento por ti”, Raúl Camilo
Best Director
Leticia Tonos, “Juanita”
Best Lead Actress
Cheddy García, “Juanita”
Best Lead Actor
Iván Aybar, “Un cuarto de Josué”
Best Comedy
“El fantasma de mi novia”, Francis “El Indio” Disla
Best Producer
“Lo que siento por ti”, Óscar Villanueva y Gabriel Tineo
Best Script
“Lo que siento por ti”, Giovanna Bonelly
Best Visual Effects
“El fantasma de mi novia”, Ariel Morales y José Rodríguez
Best Special Effects
“El fantasma de mi novia”, Óscar Gutiérrez y Carlos Nin
Best Sound Design
“Lo que siento por ti”
Best Editing
”Lo que siento por ti”, G. Giudicceli y José Miguel Mejía
Best Makeup
Anny Torres, G. Sánchez y G. Jiménez, “El fantasma de mi novia”
Best Documentary
“Solano”, Patricia Solano y Juan Basanta
Best Costumes
Gina Terc, “Rubirosa 1”
Best Cinematography
“Rubirosa 1”, Francis Adames and Frankie Báez
Best Song Track
“Juanita”, “Juanita no come cuento”, Milly Quezada
Best Secondary Actress
Ruth Emeterio, “Juanita”
Best Secondary Actor
Yasser Michelén, “Trabajo sucio”
Best Score
“Lo que siento por ti”, Sergio Jiménez y Peng Bian Sang
Best Artistic Direction
“Juanita”, Lorelei Sanz
http://hoy.com.do/lo-que-siento-por-ti-mejor-pelicula-premios-la-silla/
https://adocine.org/
Vice President Margarita Cedeño feels its time for a woman president
First Lady Candida Montilla in the UAE
Medina administration says it has a Cybersecurity Plan
Castaños Guzmán: Too many international criminals find refuge here
Drought is severe, only two dams operating normally
Political parties have not submitted accounts for 2018
US ambassador ambivalent about reelection of President Danilo Medina
Army receive equipment for DR-Haiti patrols from US government
Haiti government against adding an extra day to Dajabón market
Sex trade flourishes in the Dominican Republic
Prosecutors search the home of Bernardo Alemán in Montecristi
Fire at Acropolis Mall
Appeal against the ban on hookahs
More illegal crossing to Puerto Rico and one drowned
Dominican filmmakers vote on the best local films
Attorney General “apologizes”, but says he never violated ruling and evidence presented was important
In his apology delivered to the nation from the Presidential Palace after a three-hour meeting of the National Council of the Magistracy on 12 March 2019, CNM member Attorney General Jean Alain Rodriguez remarked it was never his intention to offend the woman or mother in Supreme Court of Justice judge Miriam German Brito. He said he would remove himself from deliberations as to whether the judge should continue or not in the Supreme Court of Justice in response to what he called the “unnecessary controversy” his Monday accusations had generated.
But then, the Attorney General rambled on for another five minutes to defend his much-criticized evidence that he had presented during his assessment of the judge on Monday, 4 March 2019. Miriam Germán Brito has had a 40-year career in the judiciary and is highly reputed. The media would come to her defense and show the evidence presented by the Attorney General was but fake news.
Nevertheless, Rodríguez would defend his presenting of “evidence” on why the judge should not continue in her position. He insisted he was doing his job with maximum rigor and transparency and within the limits established by law. He reiterated that he was motivated by the mandate to ensure the integrity, impartiality, independence and objectiveness of the judges of the Supreme of Justice and he understood the public hearing was the correct scenario for the presenting of the evidence.
He then repeated that the judge was a personal friend of one of the incriminated in the Odebrecht bribes case and said he did so to contribute to the National Council of the Magistracy taking the decisions that strengthen the judiciary in the Dominican Republic.
Judge Miriam Germán Brito has warned the US$92 million Odebrecht bribes case could fall through because of errors in the preparing of the case under Attorney General. Rodríguez chose not to send Dominican prosecutors to Brazil to interview the Brazilian company officers that have admitted to paying the bribes to Dominican government officers. This means the evidence cannot be used in a Dominican court and would overturn the case against the seven accused of taking bribes in the Dominican Republic.
In her 13 March 2019 commentary on the presentation, journalist Altagracia Salazar in her “Sin Maquillaje” channel on YouTube, said that the body language of PLD secretary general Reinaldo Pared Perez at the presentation said it all. In a later tweet, Pared Perez explains that it had been agreed by the CNM that Rodríguez would just announce he would remove himself from the deliberations regarding judge Miriam German Brito.
While Pared Perez was showing surprise and displeasure on his face, the PRM opposition members of the National Council of Magistracy, senator Jose Ignacio Paliza and deputy Josefa Castillo, would walk off the podium to protest that Rodríguez defended his accusations against the aspiring judge.
Salazar commented that if the intention of the “apology” was to chill the waters for the ruling PLD party, his statement had done the contrary. Rosario Espinal, in a commentary in Hoy newspaper, said that the Tuesday, 12 March statements by Jean Alain Rodríguez are damaging to the aspirations of President Danilo Medina to seek reelection. Medina had said that he would announce his intention to run this March. Social media and prominent critics have insisted that Rodríguez is but a pawn of the President in his intent to dominate in the Judicial Branch. Recently, Rodríguez fast-tracked an overhaul of the prosecutors in the country.
Listin Diario reported that judge Miriam Germán Brito said she would issue a reply to the evening statements by Rodríguez on Wednesday, 13 March.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7eJB_upfPDc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izYBFREVq8Y
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSv4P3BbxyA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrbUWoxBruA
https://acento.com.do/2019/opinion/8659935-danilo-medina-tollo-ultimo-inning/
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...rocurador-hablara-de-su-inhibicion-NA12305594
https://eldia.com.do/procurador-afirma-nunca-quiso-faltar-el-respeto-a-la-jueza-miriam-german/
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...rador-sorprende-y-justifica-accion-ante-jueza
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...n-brito-respondera-hoy-a-jean-alain-rodriguez
Vice President Margarita Cedeño feels its time for a woman president
In an interview with Telemundo Channel 47 in New York City, Vice President Margarita Cedeño confirmed her aspiration to be the ruling PLD presidential candidate for the 2020 general elections. She told the reporters the time has come for a woman to take on the leadership in a country where male politicians dominate.
The Vice President had aspired to be the PLD candidate in the 2016 election. She sees herself as an alternative to those who back President Danilo Medina seeking second reelection and her husband, former President Leonel Fernandez who is a running pre-candidate and seeks a fourth term in office. Cedeño was First Lady from 2004-2008 and 2008-2012, and has served as Vice President under the two terms of President Danilo Medina.
The Vice President was in New York to speak on 11 March 2019 at the open Arria-formula meeting of the UN Security Council’s Women, Peace and Security Agenda. The meeting took place in the midst of the 63rd session of the Commission on the Status of Women that was convened from 11-22 March 2019 at the UN headquarters.
During her presentation, Cedeño urged nations to fight the impunity of gender crimes against women and girls. She called for the drafting of norms to address this discrimination. She says to do so contributes to peace and security. She urged the struggle encompass rape in armed conflict areas and female genital mutilation.
Also participating in the meeting was former President of Chile Michelle Bachelet, UN adjunct secretary general for juridical affairs Miguel Serpa Soares and judge Theodor Meron, president of the International Penal Court of Yugoslavia.
Previously, Cedeño had met with Jose Singer, Dominican ambassador to the United Nations Security Council.
The Vice President also spoke on Tuesday, 12 March 2019 on “Scenarios and Costs for Social and Gender Protection in the Dominican Republic” at the meeting on Social Protection for Gender Equality and Women Empowerment. Proposals for their adequate financing.
On her New York agenda also was a bilateral meeting with former Chilean President Michelle Bachelet at the United Nations and meetings with the Dominican community. She had a scheduled meeting with Phumzile Mlambo, former Vice President of South Africa and executive director of United Nations Women.
She also was scheduled to meet with the regional director for Latin America and the Caribbean for the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Luis Felipe Lopez. And with the President Kersti Kaljulaid, of Estonia, known for the digitalization of his country. Cedeño seeks collaboration for the 103 Community Technological Centers (CTCs) that run under a program funded by her office.
The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women. A functional commission of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), it was established by Council resolution in 1946.
Vice President Cedeño is next scheduled to continue on to Panama on 13 March 2019 after accepting an invitation by Vice President and Foreign Minister Isabel de Saint Malo de Alvarado. She will participate in an activity of the secretariat of Secretaría de la Integración Social Centroamericana (SISCA), in a panel sponsored by UN Women, Banistmo Bank, and the InterAmerican Development Bank, and the Mac Gala 2019, a benefit for the Panama Contemporary Arts Museum.
https://www.telemundo47.com/noticia...ecandidatura-a-la-presidencia--507007971.html
http://www.unwomen.org/en/csw
https://vicepresidencia.gob.do/vicerdo/vicepresidenta/margarita-cedeno-lizardo/
https://vicepresidencia.gob.do/vice...impunidad-en-crimenes-contra-mujeres-y-ninas/
First Lady Candida Montilla in the UAE
First Lady Cándida Montilla de Medina is in Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates since Monday, 11 March 2019 to attend the Special Summer Olympic Games that are being held there through 21 March. She is accompanied by Martha Rodríguez and Miguel Reyes, technical coordinator and advisor on international affairs respectively from her Office.
The First Lady is the guest of honor for the official ceremonies at the games, including the opening ceremony. Some 7,500 athletes from 170 countries are taking part in the games.
The Dominican Republic is represented by 21 athletes in the disciplines of athletics, bowling, swimming, gymnastics, tennis, triathlon and beach volleyball.
In addition, First Lady Montilla will have a full agenda of meetings to strengthen relationships between her office and institutions in the UAE in the area of social inclusion and will be signing agreements with thee Dubai with the Autism Center and the University of Dubai.
First reports from Abu Dhabi is that Alejandro Batlle became the first Dominican to medal in the competitions. He won a bronze in triathlon.
https://eldia.com.do/primera-dama-l...-juegos-mundiales-olimpiadas-especiales-2019/
https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias...autismo-de-dubai-identificaran-necesidades-de
Medina administration says it has a Cybersecurity Plan
The government approved a cybersecurity plan in order to have a road map to protect the state, the population and national development. Minister of the Presidency Gustavo Montalvo made the announcement from the Presidential Palace on 12 March 2019. He said the Cybersecurity Board of Directors of the Medina administration approved the Cybersecurity Plan 2018-2021 at the meeting on Monday, 11 March 2019.
Members of the board are Minister of the Presidency Gustavo Montalvo, Defense Minister, the Interior & Police Minister, the director of the Dominican Telecommunications Institute, the director of the Presidential Office for Information and Communication Technologies (OPTIC), the National Investigations Department and the National Police.
The plan seeks to strengthen the legal and institutional framework, protect critical national infrastructure, educate in matters of security, and consolidate national and international alliances in a global context.
Castaños Guzmán: Too many international criminals find refuge here
This week, the media focused on how the judicial authorities authorized that 17,637 phones be tapped as part of the investigations into different cases during 2017 and 2018. The intense espionage activity, nevertheless, seems to have not been effective in detection of international criminals taking refuge in the country.
Servio Tulio Castaños Guzmán, executive vice president of the Fundación Institucionalidad y Justicia (FINJUS), protests the high number of tapings in a democratic country. He also expressed his concern that so many international criminals have been taking refuge in the country. "Many people who have committed crimes end up taking refuge here and I have always said that the intelligence agencies have to be more effective. The security forces of a nation are there to ensure that situations like these do not happen," said Castaños Guzmán.
He criticized that known international capos have been operating businesses in the country. "I believe that the security systems of this country, especially the intelligence services, need to be revised," he said.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...es-aprueban-plan-de-ciberseguridad-en-el-pais
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...ntidad-intervencion-de-telefonos-causa-alarma
Drought is severe, only two dams operating normally
According to Alejandro Montas, director of the Santo Domingo Corporation of Aqueducts and Sewers (CAASD), and Olgo Fernández of the National Institute of Hydrological Resources, INDRHI, of the 24 dams in the country only two are operating adequately. This is why measures are being taken to guarantee water for the population. Montás explained the water rationing for the National District affects car washing. Fernandez said that the production of rice and bananas is beginning to be affected.
Agriculture Minister Osmar Benítez says that fresh produce supply is still adequate.
The dams of Hatillo and Valdesia-Jigüey-Aguacate and the reservoir Las Barías are the only ones operating at normal levels. Almost out of service are the aqueducts of Haina-Manoguayabo, La Isabela, Isa Mana and Duey that supply water to Greater Santo Domingo.
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...suficiente-afirman-las-autoridades-NI12292609
https://listindiario.com/economia/2...tado-el-suministro-de-los-productos-agricolas
Political parties have not submitted accounts for 2018
According to the Central Electoral Board (JCE), the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD), the Revolutionary Modern Party (PRM) and the Dominican Revolutionary Party (PRD) have not handed in the mandatory accounts as to how they spent the RD$252,080,000 each received from the government in 2018. The deadline for the reporting was 16 February 2019. The parties now are in violation of Article 68 of the Political Parties Law 33-18.
According to the Specialized Unit of Financial Control of the Political Parties of the JCE, the parties have not accounted for how RD$756 million has been spent.
Only the Social Christian Reform Party (PRSC) has fully complied and presented the mandatory report. The PRD reported only in the first semester of 2018.
In 2018, political parties that had received more than 5% of the votes in the May 2016 elections, PLD, PRM, PRD and PRSC, received RD$252,080,000 each to assist with their political party activities.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...o-sabe-como-partidos-gastaron-rd-756-millones
US ambassador ambivalent about reelection of President Danilo Medina
The United States’ ambassador in the Dominican Republic Robin Bernstein has said that the re-election of President Danilo Medina is a decision up to the Dominican people when asked by Alicia Ortega of Grupo SIN if the reelection of the Dominican president could affect relations with the United States. Bernstein stated that the United States’ administration respects “the sovereignty, rights that govern us and the free self-determination of the people”.
She added: "So in regards to the sovereignty of the Dominican people, I repeat, that is in the hands of the Dominican people. What works best in the United States is that we respect the rule of law and the Constitution,” she said. “I can only tell you what works best in the United States, democracy and the rule of law.”
She said that it did not matter who was sitting in the Presidential Palace. She said that what was important is that she had a good relationship with the President.
She went on to say that her responsibility in the Dominican Republic was to grow the relationship between the two countries and to support initiatives, cooperation and collaboration.
https://almomento.net/embajadora-eu...-ni-apoya-ni-rechaza-proyecto-reeleccionista/
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2019/03...s-unidos-funciona-el-respeto-la-constitucion/
Army receive equipment for DR-Haiti patrols from US government
The Janes website on military equipment reports that the US government has donated new equipment to be used by Dominican joint task force military units that patrol the border with Haiti. The equipment includes “buggy” vehicles for patrol, night-vision goggles, at least four unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) quadcopters and several Kevlar helmets from the US Embassy in Santo Domingo.
https://www.janes.com/article/87124...new-facilities-and-obtains-military-equipment
Haiti government against adding extra day to Dajabón market
Abigail Bueno, president of the Dajabón Market Vendors Association, says that the Dominican-Haitian market days at the facility built by the European Union on the border continue but only on Mondays and Fridays. The plan to add an extra market day on Wednesdays hasn’t materialized, as reported by Haiti Libre. Bueno said that the Haitian authorities didn’t approve the additional day and had warned the traders and buyers in Haiti that they could risk having their goods seized. Bueno said that regardless, Haitians cross the border every day of the week to buy food, medicines, building materials, spare parts for vehicles and other goods in Dajabón.
As reported, trade volume during the two days is estimated at US$1.2 to US$1.5 million per week, although sometimes due to tension in Haiti or serious incidents at the border, the number of transactions can fall and settle between US$60,000 and US$120,000 dollars for the two days, according to the merchants on both sides of the border.
The European Union market facility has an area of over 40,000 m2 and includes a ring road and parking. On a single market day at least 2,600 Dominican and Haitian merchants converge.
Haiti Libre reports that on the periphery of the covered market, there are between 15,000 and 25,000 vendors from the two countries who on Mondays and Fridays also offer products and merchandise of all kinds. As reported, all the merchants of Cap-Haïtien, neighboring cities and those living near the border source from the cross-border market of Dajabón.
https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-...-million-dollars-of-transaction-per-week.html
Sex trade flourishes in the Dominican Republic
The Center for Integral Orientation and Investigation (COIN), a non-governmental organization for sexual and reproductive health in the Dominican Republic, estimates that around 250,000 women make a living from sex work in the country.
COIN research reveals that in addition to the traditional prostitutes, there are those involved in virtual sex, and the “chapiadoras” (female sanky pankies) and “chapiadoritas.” The latter are minors that do sexual favors in exchange for gifts or cash for around 200,000 Dominican women involved in sex work.
Likewise, COIN estimates at around 6,000, the number of foreign women who offer their services primarily in tourist destinations. Of these, around 3,000 are Venezuelans, and 2,000 Haitians.
The most popular tourist areas where the women find work are Sosúa and Cabarete in Puerto Plata, Boca Chica in Santo Domingo, Punta Cana in the East and Las Terrenas in Samana.
An estimated 100,000 women have gone abroad to earn hard currency for their trade and live in Antigua (16,000), Guadeloupe (10,000), Curacao (1,000), Dominica (900), Haiti (500), Italy, Switzerland, Germany and Spain. COIN says that the contacts for the overseas work are either via organized networks or family members.
The director of COIN, sociologist Santo Rosario told Listin Diario that 90% of the women know they are going to work in the sex trade and are not lured abroad under false promises. Nevertheless, Rosario said the women take on the work for the money. He says in most cases they need the money to maintain their children. They are victims of social exclusion, unemployment and low wages in the Dominican Republic.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...l-mujeres-viven-del-trabajo-sexual-en-el-pais
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...-dalia-que-huyo-de-su-pais-para-dar-su-cuerpo
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...rdiaco-durante-orgia-en-punta-cana-JI12293309
Prosecutors search home of Bernardo Alemán in Montecristi
The home of 63-year old deputy Bernardo Alemán (PRM-Montecristi) was searched on Tuesday, 12 March 2019. He was present. The deputy is accused of sexual crimes against two minors, now ages 16 and 17 years. The search was to find evidence that can be used to incriminate him. Because he has special privileges, the deputy cannot be arrested until the present legislative session concludes in July 2019.
Last year, investigative reporter Nuria Piera had first leaked the story of a 15-year old who accused the legislator of having beaten her and having had sex with her for around a year. In the same interview, Alemán admitted to the relationship but argued she was older than she says. He said the girl does not have a birth certificate.
http://pgr.gob.do/2019/03/12/minist...lacion-a-delitos-sexuales-contra-dos-menores/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5WuPF7zd5g
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2c5mKQHhT9k
Fire at Acropolis mall
A large fire engulfed the second floor at Acropolis Mall on the Av. Winston Churchill on the afternoon of Tuesday, 12 March 2019. The management of the plaza said all staff and visitors were evacuated and no one was injured. In the late afternoon, the fire had been put out. Traffic on Av. Winston Churchill was affected after the area was cleared for the fire engines putting out the fire. What started the fire is yet to be notified.
Appeal against the ban on hookahs
The Association of Entertainment Businesses (ASECEDI) has placed an appeal against Law 16-19 that forbade the use of hookahs. The association that represents owners of hookah lounges says the law is discriminatory. They allege there are 15,000 to 16,000 bars where at least three patrons use the hookahs in each. That is 48,000 people that will be affected by this law, they argue. They also say thousands will lose their jobs.
Law 16-19 prohibits the use of the hookah in public and private areas throughout the country in closed spaces and in vehicles used for passenger transport. The fine for breaking the law is five to ten minimum salaries for those owners of establishments where the hookah is used. The consumers can also be fined.
Hookah business owner Farid Chalhoud criticized recent confiscations of hookahs for sale in stores. He said that while the new law bans the use of hookahs in closed public and private places or in vehicles for the transport of passengers, there is nothing against a person smoking hookah from his own balcony or back yard with friends.
http://hoy.com.do/han-despedido-48-...ah-presentan-recurso-de-inconstitucionalidad/
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...icias-las-retienen-sin-presencia-de-un-fiscal
More illegal crossing to Puerto Rico and one drowned
One person has drowned and another 15 were rescued by the Dominican Armada off Catalina Island south of La Romana from a sinking boat. The people were headed to Puerto Rico on an illegal boat trip.
Another nine people on the same boat managed to escape by swimming to shore. The survivors and the two boat captains were later arrested by officers from M2 Naval Intelligence.
The captains were identified as Juan Pablo Medina y Medina and José Luis Montero Feliz who abandoned their passengers as soon as the boat began sinking. Both were arrested in Barahona, hours after the tragedy occurred and will be prosecuted.
The Navy also said that two other illegal boats were stopped in the areas of Playa Bonita and Baoba del Piñal on the north coast.
In less than a week, nine illegal trips have been prevented by Intelligence Officers of the Dominican Armada, and more than 90 people arrested, including several foreigners who arrived in this country on tourist cards.
http://hoy.com.do/video-una-persona-muere-y-15-sobreviven-al-zozobrar-yola-que-iba-a-puerto-rico/
Dominican film-makers vote on the best local films
“Lo que siento por ti”, a film by Raúl Camilo, was the big winner of the Premios La Silla, on Friday, 8 March 2019 at the auditorium of the Sports Hall of Fame at the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center. The awards are organized by the Asociación Dominicana de Profesionales de la Industria del Cine (Adocine).
The film starring actors Frank Perozo and Nashla Bogaert won Best Movie, Best Producer (Oscar Villanueva and Gabriel Tineo), Best Script (Giovanna Bonelly), Best Editing (Gina Giudicelli and José Miguel Mejía), Best Score (Sergio Jiménez Lacima and Peng Bian), Best Sound. The movie is the story of Ana, a woman abandoned by her husband and her two autistic children and how they positively impacted the people around them.
Leticia Tonos’ “Juanita” won awards for Best Director, Best Lead Actress (Cheddy García), Best Song (“Juanita no come cuento”, with Milly Quezada), Best Secondary Actress (Ruth Emeterio) and Best Artistic Direction (Lorelei Sanz). Juanita is the story of a Dominican migrant in Spain and her return to the country with her Spanish husband.
The list of winners:
Best Movie
“Lo que siento por ti”, Raúl Camilo
Best Director
Leticia Tonos, “Juanita”
Best Lead Actress
Cheddy García, “Juanita”
Best Lead Actor
Iván Aybar, “Un cuarto de Josué”
Best Comedy
“El fantasma de mi novia”, Francis “El Indio” Disla
Best Producer
“Lo que siento por ti”, Óscar Villanueva y Gabriel Tineo
Best Script
“Lo que siento por ti”, Giovanna Bonelly
Best Visual Effects
“El fantasma de mi novia”, Ariel Morales y José Rodríguez
Best Special Effects
“El fantasma de mi novia”, Óscar Gutiérrez y Carlos Nin
Best Sound Design
“Lo que siento por ti”
Best Editing
”Lo que siento por ti”, G. Giudicceli y José Miguel Mejía
Best Makeup
Anny Torres, G. Sánchez y G. Jiménez, “El fantasma de mi novia”
Best Documentary
“Solano”, Patricia Solano y Juan Basanta
Best Costumes
Gina Terc, “Rubirosa 1”
Best Cinematography
“Rubirosa 1”, Francis Adames and Frankie Báez
Best Song Track
“Juanita”, “Juanita no come cuento”, Milly Quezada
Best Secondary Actress
Ruth Emeterio, “Juanita”
Best Secondary Actor
Yasser Michelén, “Trabajo sucio”
Best Score
“Lo que siento por ti”, Sergio Jiménez y Peng Bian Sang
Best Artistic Direction
“Juanita”, Lorelei Sanz
http://hoy.com.do/lo-que-siento-por-ti-mejor-pelicula-premios-la-silla/
https://adocine.org/