D
Dolores
Guest
Students going back to school
Final figures on Easter Week casualties
Punta Catalina employees on strike
Namphi Rodríguez: conditions are not there to amend the Constitution
Gonzalo Castillo: Church will listen to the people; the impasse is about abortion
Legislator belittles church statements against reelection
Lucia Medina on the campaign trail
UN Quality of Democracy Report to be presented at Flacso
Dengue cases continue to increase
Phone tapping in Odebrecht case
Former baseball player Braulio Lara dies in traffic accident
Chance of rains
Students going back to school
Public schools across the country opened after Easter Week yesterday, Monday 22 April 2019. In Santo Domingo over half of the students attended, according to press reports. While still low, this is higher than usual as it has been traditional for the Monday after Easter Week to be seen as an extension of the holiday.
School prinicipals consulted by Listin Diario said that before the start of the Easter break, letters had been sent to the parents advising them to send the children back to school on Monday. In addition, meetings were held with the parents and phone calls made. The principals also said that the teachers and administration staff were also in attendance yesterday.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...-asiste-a-escuelas-publicas-tras-semana-santa
Final figures on Easter Week casualties
The Center for Emergency Operations (COE) has reported 33 deaths during Easter Week, mostly due to traffic accidents. According to the data issued, 18 of the 33 deaths happened from Thursday, 17 April to Sunday, 21 April 2019. Of these, 18 deaths were due to traffic accidents and two to drowning.
Almost five million people travelled away from home during the break. There were 181 traffic accidents with 1,900 people affected, 150 of which involved motorcycles, 53 cars, and six heavy vehicles.
COE director, General Juan Manuel Méndez, said that 64 minors suffered from alcohol intoxication, of whom 10 were less than 10 years old. In addition, there were 57 emergencies involving drowning.
The Ground Transit and Transport Agency (Digesett), informed that they had taken 75 heavy vehicles off the road as they did not have the right government permission.
Despite COE issuing an official number of 18 traffic deaths, several areas of the media have different figures. Diario Libre reported that 27 people died in traffic accident and El Día registered 29 deaths from accidents, drowning and violence.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...mana-santa-mayoria-por-accidentes-de-transito
http://hoy.com.do/coe-16-personas-p...-y-2-ahogados-durante-operativo-semana-santa/
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...res-muertos-mas-que-en-la-del-2018-OF12604903
Punta Catalina agrees to pay extra salary bonus
On Monday 22 April 2019, workers of the government-owned Punta Catalina power plant reached an agreement to go back to work. As per the agreement, they would be paid a full month extra salary this April. The workers were demanding the payment of the yearly bonus.
As reported in El Dia, the labor crisis did not impede that the first unit of the thermoelectric coal-fired power plant stay on the electricity grid. As reported, the power plant is adding 230 megawatts to the national electricity system (SENI) in its test phase.
The representatives of the workers had rejected a first agreement that had called for a months salary to be paid 50% at the end of April and 50% at the end of May. The workers also demand that 7,000 former workers benefit with the payment.
The discussions between members of the Union of Workers of the Construction Branch of the Punta Catalina Plant (Sintrapunca) and the Odebrecht-Technimont-Estrella consortium were mediated by Labor Minister Winston de los Santos.
By law, companies are required to pay 10% of profits to workers as yearly bonus. The conflict arose after Punta Catalina argued it had more than RD$8.7 billion in losses and would not be paying the bonus.
Labor negotiator Rafael “Pepe” Abréu had told Noticias SIN that the agreement signed on Sunday, 21 April would benefit 2,000 active employees. He said that the union would continue talks with the company under the mediation of the Ministry of Labor to resolve the situation of 4,000 workers that no longer work for the company, but he understands they are due the bonus corresponding to last year. He estimated the total in around US$5 million.
When the workers discovered last week that the company had declared losses and would not pay bonuses, workers demonstrated on 17 April 2019 and refused to return to work, which led to chaos and the intervention of the police.
Meanwhile the military continue to guarding the plant and the surrounding areas. The impasse affected traffic on the Azua to Santo Domingo highway.
https://listindiario.com/economia/2...o-acogen-acuerdo-y-se-movilizan-en-la-empresa
https://noticiassin.com/empleados-de-punta-catalina-rechazan-acuerdo-se-niegan-a-volver-al-trabajo/
http://hoy.com.do/video-empleados-d...uerdo-alrededores-de-la-planta-militarizados/
https://listindiario.com/la-republica/2019/04/22/562328/punta-catalina-amanece-militarizada
https://listindiario.com/economia/2...o-acogen-acuerdo-y-se-movilizan-en-la-empresa
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2019/04...tre-sindicato-y-ejecutivos-de-punta-catalina/
https://listindiario.com/economia/2...pleados-han-sido-despedidos-de-punta-catalina
https://listindiario.com/economia/2...alega-perdida-superior-a-los-rd-8700-millones
https://eldia.com.do/obreros-de-punta-catalina-levantan-paralizacion/
Namphi Rodríguez: conditions are not there to amend the Constitution
Constitution specialist Namphi Rodríguez told TV hosts Huchi Lora and Amelia Deschamps of El Día on Telesistema, Channel 11, that in the Dominican Republic there are not the conditions for the government to push through a second reelection amendment. Rodríguez, who is the coordinator of the Constitutional Forum (Foro Constitucional) and a professor of constitutional law, maintained that President Danilo Medina “should publicly speak up on the matter to dissipate the dictatorship clouds that are looming on the Dominican political horizon.”
Rodríguez made the statement after recent statements by high-ranking Dominican clergy that warned that government control of the judiciary, legislature and executive branch could be leading to a dictatorship.
“After the swearing in of a member of the Central Committee of the ruling PLD as president of the Supreme Court of Justice, the boundaries on the division of powers have become blurred and there is serious concern about the rule of law," stated Rodríguez. He urged that President Medina speaks to the country on the topic. Medina had stated in a TV interview with TV host Jatna Tavarez in August 2018 that he would address the matter in March.
Rodríguez also highlighted that around 70% of the Dominican population rejects a constitutional amendment to enable President Danilo Medina to seek a third consecutive term.
Rodríguez advocated that a clause be included in the next constitutional reform so that a constitutional amendment can no longer benefit the President under which the amendment is passed.
He explained that the Constitutional Forum is a civil society initiative that has undertaken a public agenda to educate the population on the implications of a constitutional reform at this time.
He said that debates on constitutional reform have been held in Santiago, La Romana, Higuey, San Pedro de Macoris, San Cristobal, Puerto Plata and Moca, with the participation of experts and politicians. The activities are open to the general public.
http://hoy.com.do/videos/entrevista-de-el-dia-al-doctor-en-derecho-namphi-rodriguez/
Gonzalo Castillo: Church will listen to the people; the impasse is about abortion
Minister of Public Works Gonzalo Castillo told journalists: “We do not see that the church has a position. We understand that we have the backing of the church. We personally are sure that if the people really want President Danilo Medina, the church will be on the side of the people and the side of President Danilo Medina.” Castillo made the observation when interviewed when participating in the presentation of automated voting system the JCE is proposing to the members of the ruling PLD party Political Committee at their headquarters.
Administrative Minister of the Presidency José Ramón Peralta sent a tweet on Monday, 22 April 2019 saying the government would continue working to strengthen Dominican institutions. “The government, respectful of the plurality of opinions, in the framework of the rule of law, respects the opinions shared during the 7 Words Sermon. “
Meanwhile, a feature in Listin Diario says the confrontation between church and government is not about reelection. It is about Medina’s rejection of making abortion illegal under all circumstances. The article by Ramón Pérez Reyes says that the recent statements of religious leaders are a way to pressure President Danilo Medina who has twice vetoed the passing of an amended Penal Code with a complete ban on abortion. Medina, who has a daughter who is a medical doctor, has argued for three exception clauses. But the evangelical (Confederación Nacional Evangélica) and the Roman Catholic churches have maintained a strong position against any exceptions to abortion be included in the Penal Code that is under review in Congress.
“The apple of discord has been the theme of abortion,” writes Pérez Reyes. He says the harmonious relations that for years the churches and the Executive Branch have maintained have suffered over this issue. He observes that father Manuel Antonio Ruiz, a leader of the anti-abortion campaign in the church, who had an office in the Presidential Palace as liaison with the Roman Catholic Church, resigned his position late last year.
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2019/04...lta-gobierno-respeta-opiniones-de-sacerdotes/
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...onveniente-con-la-iglesia-catolica-JF12607583
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...na-de-la-discordia-ha-sido-el-tema-del-aborto
Legislator belittles church statements against reelection
PLD legislator Elpidio Báez claims that in a week the public will have forgotten about the recent statements by Catholic priests that have warned against a budding dictatorship in the Medina government that seeks to continue for another term after 2020. To do so, a second constitutional reform needs to successfully pass in Congress.
The legislator feels this will not be a problem, as they have already convinced several opposition members to vote in their favor. The main opponent to the reelection of President Danilo Medina is former President Leonel Fernandez, who now seeks his fourth term in government. Fernandez was President from 1996-2000, 2004-2008 and 2008-2012.
Báez says the party is active in prepping the country for a new candidacy of President Danilo Medina. He speculated that the party will get the vote of 12 opposition party legislators from the PRM in order to pass the amendment in Congress.
He downplayed the statement by the priests regarding a dictatorship in the making. He said the statements were normal for this time of the year and recommended these be ignored.
He added that "this issue will fall off from the headlines in a week. People will be talking about something else.” He recommended his fellow party members to not comment on the priests’ remarks so as not to generate political reactions. “Right now that topic is forgotten, so I think the government should remain silent before the pronouncements of the priests in the Sermon of the Seven Words", he observed.
"We stand firm in our purposes and at any time the constitutional reform bill will be presented in the Chamber of Deputies, we have enough votes for that,” he said. He clarified that only two-thirds vote of those present at the session are needed, not of the total enrollment.
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2019/04...s-para-reforma-constitucional-reeleccionista/
http://hoy.com.do/sermon-advierte-amenaza-dictadura-rd-y-corrupcion/
Lucia Medina on the campaign trail
Deputy Lucia Medina (Yomaira) was again all over social media as she tries to gain support for a possible senatorial candidacy for the province of San Juan de la Maguana. Social media posts reported that over Easter she was seeking voter favor by handing out the ingredients to make sweet cream of beans, the traditional Easter fare. A video surfaced supposedly showing her handing out money to people bathing in the Ingeñito River in San Juan de la Maguana.
On social media many observers have said that this type of practice should be eradicated and that candidacies should be chosen for their proposals rather than gifts.
It was also reported on social media that she spent time handing over first aid kits to Easter Week drivers and nine laptops to the students with the highest grades at the UASD Center in San Juan.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...a-de-hacer-proselitismo-reparte-dinero-en-rio
UN Quality of Democracy Report to be presented at Flacso
The general public is invited to the presentation by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales (Flacso) and Participación Ciudadana civic society groups of the recently published UNDP report on democracy in the Dominican Republic.
The “Informe de la Calidad Democrática de República Dominicana” will be analyzed by experts at the Flacso offices at Calle José Joaquín Pérez 106, Gazcue, Santo Domingo. The presentation is scheduled for 6pm on Wednesday, 24 April 2019. For more information, Call 809 686-3664.
Flacso is an inter-governmental autonomous organization for Latin America and the Caribbean dedicated to research, teaching and spreading of social sciences.
Guillermo Moreno of Al Pais is covering the report in a series for Diario Libre’s editorial page. In his commentary on Monday, 22 April 2019, the former National District prosecutor and former presidential candidate for Al Pais, observes the country ranked on the bottom 20 of 24 countries analyzed in Latin America and the Caribbean with regards to political rights and the electoral system. Regarding rule of law, the report points to great institutional weakness in the country and the stagnating of institutional reforms. “The UNDP report is a x-ray presenting in the raw the low quality of Dominican democracy,” he writes. He praises the report for having organized many of the disperse references on the subject and having documented, comparatively and in an integral way, the present situation.
Read the report:
https://dr1.com/informe_calidad_demoratica.pdf
https://www.diariolibre.com/opinion/en-directo/el-informe-del-pnud-2019-GP12599528
Dengue cases continue to increase
According to the latest Epidemiological Bulletin of the Ministry of Public Health at least 1,391 cases of dengue have been registered up the 14th week of 2019, with 535 cases in the last four weeks, a considerable increase over the same time last year when there were only 117 cases reported. The highest number of cases are reported in Santo Domingo East (73), Barahona (61), National District (55), Santo Domingo North (31) and Bani (30). Three quarters of those affected are minors less than 15 years old.
The rate of incidence of the virus so far this year is 49.88%. That is 312% more than in 2018, when it was 12.12%.
https://eldia.com.do/salud-publica-registra-1391-casos-de-dengue/
Phone tapping in Odebrecht case
Yesterday, Monday 22 April 2019, the Attorney General Office admitted that it had asked for authorization to tap a telephone that belonged to Conrado Pittaluga *******, son of Conrado Pittaluga Arzeno, one of those accused in the Odebrecht case. The son’s phone was being used by one of Conrado Pittaluga’s defense lawyers.
Milciades Guzmán, head prosecutor for Santo Domingo East, told Supreme Court judge Francisco Ortega Polanco that the request for the phone tapping was made by the Attorney General Office when Pittaluga was in jail. He said Pittaluga had used the phone.
He said that in every investigation of money laundering it is completely normal to investigate family members and close friends. He added that in order to tap a phone, one did not have to be 100% certain as to who the phone belongs to, but rather to know who might use it.
He made the remarks following an appeal from Conrado Pittaluga’s defense to obtain information from Claro about the telephone tapping, a motion that was rejected by judge Francisco Ortega Polanco. The defense lawyers for Conrado Pittaluga then motioned to recuse the judge, accusing him of lacking impartiality and fairness in the case. The court now needs to decide whether he accepts the petition. It is the seventh recusal petition made to Judge Ortega in the case.
Legal experts have repeatedly observed regarding procedural flaws that are likely to affect the outcome of the Odebrecht case in the Dominican Republic. So far, the Attorney General is only hearing the case of seven persons related to the case.
https://eldia.com.do/abogados-de-conrado-pittaluga-recusan-al-juez-francisco-ortega-polanco/
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...o-que-corresponde-a-hijo-de-conrado-pittaluga
http://hoy.com.do/mira-porque-la-pr...efono-de-hijo-del-imputado-conrado-pittaluga/
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...-al-juez-ortega-del-caso-odebrecht-BF12605657
https://www.diariolibre.com/opinion/de-buena-tinta/ni-odebrecht-mueve-al-dominicano-HF12606023
Former baseball player Braulio Lara dies in traffic accident
Former Tampa Bay Rays minor league pitcher Braulio Lara died on Saturday morning, 20 April 2019, due to a car accident in the Dominican Republic. He was 30 years old. Early on Saturday morning his family was informed that a three-car accident had occurred in the early morning hours in his hometown in southwestern Bani. Lara and Brayan Alberto de León Merán were killed, and four people were injured in the accident. Lara was driving a Camaro when he hit a semi-trailer.
Lara pitched for the Hot Rods in 2011, with 21 starts and appearing in 25 games. He spent 11 years in the professional ranks, pitching in the Rays, Nationals, and Giants systems. He also pitched in Korea, Mexico, and the Dominican Winter Leagues. He reached the AAA level in four consecutive seasons from 2013 through 2016, but never was able to make that final step to reach the majors.
Over the last few years at least 10 baseball players have died in car accidents. Jairo Capellán, Yordano Ventura and Andy Marte are just three of those who died.
https://listindiario.com/el-deporte...-peloteros-dominicanos-han-muerto-en-las-vias
https://calltothepen.com/2019/04/20...nor-leaguer-braulio-lara-killed-car-accident/
Chance of rains
The National Meteorological Office (Onamet) has said that due to a weak weather front over the northwest of the country, the amount of humidity in the air will increase slightly. In addition, there will be an increase in the amount of cloud cover and rain, with possible thunderstorms, in the provinces of Monte Plata, Monseñor Nouel, La Vega, Santiago, San Juan, San Pedro de Macorís, San Cristóbal and Greater Santo Domingo.
https://eldia.com.do/vaguada-provocara-aguaceros-este-lunes-informa-meteorologia/
Final figures on Easter Week casualties
Punta Catalina employees on strike
Namphi Rodríguez: conditions are not there to amend the Constitution
Gonzalo Castillo: Church will listen to the people; the impasse is about abortion
Legislator belittles church statements against reelection
Lucia Medina on the campaign trail
UN Quality of Democracy Report to be presented at Flacso
Dengue cases continue to increase
Phone tapping in Odebrecht case
Former baseball player Braulio Lara dies in traffic accident
Chance of rains
Students going back to school
Public schools across the country opened after Easter Week yesterday, Monday 22 April 2019. In Santo Domingo over half of the students attended, according to press reports. While still low, this is higher than usual as it has been traditional for the Monday after Easter Week to be seen as an extension of the holiday.
School prinicipals consulted by Listin Diario said that before the start of the Easter break, letters had been sent to the parents advising them to send the children back to school on Monday. In addition, meetings were held with the parents and phone calls made. The principals also said that the teachers and administration staff were also in attendance yesterday.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...-asiste-a-escuelas-publicas-tras-semana-santa
Final figures on Easter Week casualties
The Center for Emergency Operations (COE) has reported 33 deaths during Easter Week, mostly due to traffic accidents. According to the data issued, 18 of the 33 deaths happened from Thursday, 17 April to Sunday, 21 April 2019. Of these, 18 deaths were due to traffic accidents and two to drowning.
Almost five million people travelled away from home during the break. There were 181 traffic accidents with 1,900 people affected, 150 of which involved motorcycles, 53 cars, and six heavy vehicles.
COE director, General Juan Manuel Méndez, said that 64 minors suffered from alcohol intoxication, of whom 10 were less than 10 years old. In addition, there were 57 emergencies involving drowning.
The Ground Transit and Transport Agency (Digesett), informed that they had taken 75 heavy vehicles off the road as they did not have the right government permission.
Despite COE issuing an official number of 18 traffic deaths, several areas of the media have different figures. Diario Libre reported that 27 people died in traffic accident and El Día registered 29 deaths from accidents, drowning and violence.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...mana-santa-mayoria-por-accidentes-de-transito
http://hoy.com.do/coe-16-personas-p...-y-2-ahogados-durante-operativo-semana-santa/
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...res-muertos-mas-que-en-la-del-2018-OF12604903
Punta Catalina agrees to pay extra salary bonus
On Monday 22 April 2019, workers of the government-owned Punta Catalina power plant reached an agreement to go back to work. As per the agreement, they would be paid a full month extra salary this April. The workers were demanding the payment of the yearly bonus.
As reported in El Dia, the labor crisis did not impede that the first unit of the thermoelectric coal-fired power plant stay on the electricity grid. As reported, the power plant is adding 230 megawatts to the national electricity system (SENI) in its test phase.
The representatives of the workers had rejected a first agreement that had called for a months salary to be paid 50% at the end of April and 50% at the end of May. The workers also demand that 7,000 former workers benefit with the payment.
The discussions between members of the Union of Workers of the Construction Branch of the Punta Catalina Plant (Sintrapunca) and the Odebrecht-Technimont-Estrella consortium were mediated by Labor Minister Winston de los Santos.
By law, companies are required to pay 10% of profits to workers as yearly bonus. The conflict arose after Punta Catalina argued it had more than RD$8.7 billion in losses and would not be paying the bonus.
Labor negotiator Rafael “Pepe” Abréu had told Noticias SIN that the agreement signed on Sunday, 21 April would benefit 2,000 active employees. He said that the union would continue talks with the company under the mediation of the Ministry of Labor to resolve the situation of 4,000 workers that no longer work for the company, but he understands they are due the bonus corresponding to last year. He estimated the total in around US$5 million.
When the workers discovered last week that the company had declared losses and would not pay bonuses, workers demonstrated on 17 April 2019 and refused to return to work, which led to chaos and the intervention of the police.
Meanwhile the military continue to guarding the plant and the surrounding areas. The impasse affected traffic on the Azua to Santo Domingo highway.
https://listindiario.com/economia/2...o-acogen-acuerdo-y-se-movilizan-en-la-empresa
https://noticiassin.com/empleados-de-punta-catalina-rechazan-acuerdo-se-niegan-a-volver-al-trabajo/
http://hoy.com.do/video-empleados-d...uerdo-alrededores-de-la-planta-militarizados/
https://listindiario.com/la-republica/2019/04/22/562328/punta-catalina-amanece-militarizada
https://listindiario.com/economia/2...o-acogen-acuerdo-y-se-movilizan-en-la-empresa
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2019/04...tre-sindicato-y-ejecutivos-de-punta-catalina/
https://listindiario.com/economia/2...pleados-han-sido-despedidos-de-punta-catalina
https://listindiario.com/economia/2...alega-perdida-superior-a-los-rd-8700-millones
https://eldia.com.do/obreros-de-punta-catalina-levantan-paralizacion/
Namphi Rodríguez: conditions are not there to amend the Constitution
Constitution specialist Namphi Rodríguez told TV hosts Huchi Lora and Amelia Deschamps of El Día on Telesistema, Channel 11, that in the Dominican Republic there are not the conditions for the government to push through a second reelection amendment. Rodríguez, who is the coordinator of the Constitutional Forum (Foro Constitucional) and a professor of constitutional law, maintained that President Danilo Medina “should publicly speak up on the matter to dissipate the dictatorship clouds that are looming on the Dominican political horizon.”
Rodríguez made the statement after recent statements by high-ranking Dominican clergy that warned that government control of the judiciary, legislature and executive branch could be leading to a dictatorship.
“After the swearing in of a member of the Central Committee of the ruling PLD as president of the Supreme Court of Justice, the boundaries on the division of powers have become blurred and there is serious concern about the rule of law," stated Rodríguez. He urged that President Medina speaks to the country on the topic. Medina had stated in a TV interview with TV host Jatna Tavarez in August 2018 that he would address the matter in March.
Rodríguez also highlighted that around 70% of the Dominican population rejects a constitutional amendment to enable President Danilo Medina to seek a third consecutive term.
Rodríguez advocated that a clause be included in the next constitutional reform so that a constitutional amendment can no longer benefit the President under which the amendment is passed.
He explained that the Constitutional Forum is a civil society initiative that has undertaken a public agenda to educate the population on the implications of a constitutional reform at this time.
He said that debates on constitutional reform have been held in Santiago, La Romana, Higuey, San Pedro de Macoris, San Cristobal, Puerto Plata and Moca, with the participation of experts and politicians. The activities are open to the general public.
http://hoy.com.do/videos/entrevista-de-el-dia-al-doctor-en-derecho-namphi-rodriguez/
Gonzalo Castillo: Church will listen to the people; the impasse is about abortion
Minister of Public Works Gonzalo Castillo told journalists: “We do not see that the church has a position. We understand that we have the backing of the church. We personally are sure that if the people really want President Danilo Medina, the church will be on the side of the people and the side of President Danilo Medina.” Castillo made the observation when interviewed when participating in the presentation of automated voting system the JCE is proposing to the members of the ruling PLD party Political Committee at their headquarters.
Administrative Minister of the Presidency José Ramón Peralta sent a tweet on Monday, 22 April 2019 saying the government would continue working to strengthen Dominican institutions. “The government, respectful of the plurality of opinions, in the framework of the rule of law, respects the opinions shared during the 7 Words Sermon. “
Meanwhile, a feature in Listin Diario says the confrontation between church and government is not about reelection. It is about Medina’s rejection of making abortion illegal under all circumstances. The article by Ramón Pérez Reyes says that the recent statements of religious leaders are a way to pressure President Danilo Medina who has twice vetoed the passing of an amended Penal Code with a complete ban on abortion. Medina, who has a daughter who is a medical doctor, has argued for three exception clauses. But the evangelical (Confederación Nacional Evangélica) and the Roman Catholic churches have maintained a strong position against any exceptions to abortion be included in the Penal Code that is under review in Congress.
“The apple of discord has been the theme of abortion,” writes Pérez Reyes. He says the harmonious relations that for years the churches and the Executive Branch have maintained have suffered over this issue. He observes that father Manuel Antonio Ruiz, a leader of the anti-abortion campaign in the church, who had an office in the Presidential Palace as liaison with the Roman Catholic Church, resigned his position late last year.
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2019/04...lta-gobierno-respeta-opiniones-de-sacerdotes/
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...onveniente-con-la-iglesia-catolica-JF12607583
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...na-de-la-discordia-ha-sido-el-tema-del-aborto
Legislator belittles church statements against reelection
PLD legislator Elpidio Báez claims that in a week the public will have forgotten about the recent statements by Catholic priests that have warned against a budding dictatorship in the Medina government that seeks to continue for another term after 2020. To do so, a second constitutional reform needs to successfully pass in Congress.
The legislator feels this will not be a problem, as they have already convinced several opposition members to vote in their favor. The main opponent to the reelection of President Danilo Medina is former President Leonel Fernandez, who now seeks his fourth term in government. Fernandez was President from 1996-2000, 2004-2008 and 2008-2012.
Báez says the party is active in prepping the country for a new candidacy of President Danilo Medina. He speculated that the party will get the vote of 12 opposition party legislators from the PRM in order to pass the amendment in Congress.
He downplayed the statement by the priests regarding a dictatorship in the making. He said the statements were normal for this time of the year and recommended these be ignored.
He added that "this issue will fall off from the headlines in a week. People will be talking about something else.” He recommended his fellow party members to not comment on the priests’ remarks so as not to generate political reactions. “Right now that topic is forgotten, so I think the government should remain silent before the pronouncements of the priests in the Sermon of the Seven Words", he observed.
"We stand firm in our purposes and at any time the constitutional reform bill will be presented in the Chamber of Deputies, we have enough votes for that,” he said. He clarified that only two-thirds vote of those present at the session are needed, not of the total enrollment.
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2019/04...s-para-reforma-constitucional-reeleccionista/
http://hoy.com.do/sermon-advierte-amenaza-dictadura-rd-y-corrupcion/
Lucia Medina on the campaign trail
Deputy Lucia Medina (Yomaira) was again all over social media as she tries to gain support for a possible senatorial candidacy for the province of San Juan de la Maguana. Social media posts reported that over Easter she was seeking voter favor by handing out the ingredients to make sweet cream of beans, the traditional Easter fare. A video surfaced supposedly showing her handing out money to people bathing in the Ingeñito River in San Juan de la Maguana.
On social media many observers have said that this type of practice should be eradicated and that candidacies should be chosen for their proposals rather than gifts.
It was also reported on social media that she spent time handing over first aid kits to Easter Week drivers and nine laptops to the students with the highest grades at the UASD Center in San Juan.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...a-de-hacer-proselitismo-reparte-dinero-en-rio
UN Quality of Democracy Report to be presented at Flacso
The general public is invited to the presentation by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Facultad Latinoamericana de Ciencias Sociales (Flacso) and Participación Ciudadana civic society groups of the recently published UNDP report on democracy in the Dominican Republic.
The “Informe de la Calidad Democrática de República Dominicana” will be analyzed by experts at the Flacso offices at Calle José Joaquín Pérez 106, Gazcue, Santo Domingo. The presentation is scheduled for 6pm on Wednesday, 24 April 2019. For more information, Call 809 686-3664.
Flacso is an inter-governmental autonomous organization for Latin America and the Caribbean dedicated to research, teaching and spreading of social sciences.
Guillermo Moreno of Al Pais is covering the report in a series for Diario Libre’s editorial page. In his commentary on Monday, 22 April 2019, the former National District prosecutor and former presidential candidate for Al Pais, observes the country ranked on the bottom 20 of 24 countries analyzed in Latin America and the Caribbean with regards to political rights and the electoral system. Regarding rule of law, the report points to great institutional weakness in the country and the stagnating of institutional reforms. “The UNDP report is a x-ray presenting in the raw the low quality of Dominican democracy,” he writes. He praises the report for having organized many of the disperse references on the subject and having documented, comparatively and in an integral way, the present situation.
Read the report:
https://dr1.com/informe_calidad_demoratica.pdf
https://www.diariolibre.com/opinion/en-directo/el-informe-del-pnud-2019-GP12599528
Dengue cases continue to increase
According to the latest Epidemiological Bulletin of the Ministry of Public Health at least 1,391 cases of dengue have been registered up the 14th week of 2019, with 535 cases in the last four weeks, a considerable increase over the same time last year when there were only 117 cases reported. The highest number of cases are reported in Santo Domingo East (73), Barahona (61), National District (55), Santo Domingo North (31) and Bani (30). Three quarters of those affected are minors less than 15 years old.
The rate of incidence of the virus so far this year is 49.88%. That is 312% more than in 2018, when it was 12.12%.
https://eldia.com.do/salud-publica-registra-1391-casos-de-dengue/
Phone tapping in Odebrecht case
Yesterday, Monday 22 April 2019, the Attorney General Office admitted that it had asked for authorization to tap a telephone that belonged to Conrado Pittaluga *******, son of Conrado Pittaluga Arzeno, one of those accused in the Odebrecht case. The son’s phone was being used by one of Conrado Pittaluga’s defense lawyers.
Milciades Guzmán, head prosecutor for Santo Domingo East, told Supreme Court judge Francisco Ortega Polanco that the request for the phone tapping was made by the Attorney General Office when Pittaluga was in jail. He said Pittaluga had used the phone.
He said that in every investigation of money laundering it is completely normal to investigate family members and close friends. He added that in order to tap a phone, one did not have to be 100% certain as to who the phone belongs to, but rather to know who might use it.
He made the remarks following an appeal from Conrado Pittaluga’s defense to obtain information from Claro about the telephone tapping, a motion that was rejected by judge Francisco Ortega Polanco. The defense lawyers for Conrado Pittaluga then motioned to recuse the judge, accusing him of lacking impartiality and fairness in the case. The court now needs to decide whether he accepts the petition. It is the seventh recusal petition made to Judge Ortega in the case.
Legal experts have repeatedly observed regarding procedural flaws that are likely to affect the outcome of the Odebrecht case in the Dominican Republic. So far, the Attorney General is only hearing the case of seven persons related to the case.
https://eldia.com.do/abogados-de-conrado-pittaluga-recusan-al-juez-francisco-ortega-polanco/
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...o-que-corresponde-a-hijo-de-conrado-pittaluga
http://hoy.com.do/mira-porque-la-pr...efono-de-hijo-del-imputado-conrado-pittaluga/
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...-al-juez-ortega-del-caso-odebrecht-BF12605657
https://www.diariolibre.com/opinion/de-buena-tinta/ni-odebrecht-mueve-al-dominicano-HF12606023
Former baseball player Braulio Lara dies in traffic accident
Former Tampa Bay Rays minor league pitcher Braulio Lara died on Saturday morning, 20 April 2019, due to a car accident in the Dominican Republic. He was 30 years old. Early on Saturday morning his family was informed that a three-car accident had occurred in the early morning hours in his hometown in southwestern Bani. Lara and Brayan Alberto de León Merán were killed, and four people were injured in the accident. Lara was driving a Camaro when he hit a semi-trailer.
Lara pitched for the Hot Rods in 2011, with 21 starts and appearing in 25 games. He spent 11 years in the professional ranks, pitching in the Rays, Nationals, and Giants systems. He also pitched in Korea, Mexico, and the Dominican Winter Leagues. He reached the AAA level in four consecutive seasons from 2013 through 2016, but never was able to make that final step to reach the majors.
Over the last few years at least 10 baseball players have died in car accidents. Jairo Capellán, Yordano Ventura and Andy Marte are just three of those who died.
https://listindiario.com/el-deporte...-peloteros-dominicanos-han-muerto-en-las-vias
https://calltothepen.com/2019/04/20...nor-leaguer-braulio-lara-killed-car-accident/
Chance of rains
The National Meteorological Office (Onamet) has said that due to a weak weather front over the northwest of the country, the amount of humidity in the air will increase slightly. In addition, there will be an increase in the amount of cloud cover and rain, with possible thunderstorms, in the provinces of Monte Plata, Monseñor Nouel, La Vega, Santiago, San Juan, San Pedro de Macorís, San Cristóbal and Greater Santo Domingo.
https://eldia.com.do/vaguada-provocara-aguaceros-este-lunes-informa-meteorologia/
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