DR1 Daily News - Thursday, 6 June 2019

D

Dolores

Guest
Next DR1 Daily News Update: Monday, 10 June 2019
Education Minister says gender policy will be drafted and implemented in curriculum
Of five Central American heads of government, only two show up for SICA meeting
PRSC requests Constitutional Court revoke JCE drag vote resolution
More polling companies registered with JCE
Leonel Fernandez’s deputies say they will reject initiatives that benefit President Medina
US Embassy: US government-backed investment and reelection do not mix
Dominicans traveling more, passport requests up
Robotics used in Santiago hospital operation
Hotel Association announces extra measures to keep the DR a safe destination
Hotels need to install surveillance cameras
Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts explains that the deaths of three tourists were not in the same hotel
Now that cruise ships are canceling Cuba, where will they stop?
Suspected people trafficker Ariel Polanco (Yipeta) arrested
Patron impedes holdup in supermarket
Summer heat sets in
Dominicans defeat Thailand and Bulgaria in Volleyball Nations League
National District Superior Basketball Tournament begins



Next DR1 Daily News Update: Monday, 10 June 2019
The next DR1 Daily News update will be published on Monday, 10 June 2019. The Monday issue will compile headline news for the previous Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Breaking news can be followed 24/7 in the DR1 Forums. See DR1 Forum at https://dr1.com


Education Minister says gender policy will be drafted and implemented in curriculum
Education Minister Antonio Peña Mirabal says that the drafting of gender equality policy and new actions in the education curriculum is a go. He said that he will not back down and the only way the measure will be dropped is “if President Danilo Medina fires me.”

Peña Mirabal said that the departmental order on gender policy follows a constitutional mandate sustained in Article 39 of the Dominican Constitution. Art. 39 reads: “All necessary steps shall be taken to ensure the eradication of inequality and discrimination due to gender.”

Peña Mirabal said this action had been agreed in the Pact for Education that was signed by all sectors of society. Among those signing the Pact were the representative of the Conference of the Dominican Episcopate, Monsignor Ramón Benítez Ángeles Fernández; the president of CODUE, Reverend Fidel Lorenzo; the president of the Union of Catholic Schools, José Cuello; Lester Flaquer, the president of a Christian private schools association. These organizations now oppose the announced drafting of gender policy by the Ministry of Education.

In statements to the TV program Hoy Mismo, Peña Mirabal categorically denied that this motion is about instating gender ideology. He said: "It is about gender equity. That means that boys and girls are taught that they have the same rights and the same opportunities. I don't see where the evil is in that.”

"The Ministry of Education is going to implement policies of equality between boys and girls, equal opportunities, rights and duties between the two sexes. That this is to guarantee that 99% of the janitors not be women, and that 99% of the porters not be men, as is the situation today," he said.

https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...a-atras-orden-de-equidad-de-genero-JC12984805
https://www.hrw.org/news/2018/12/10/breaking-buzzword-fighting-gender-ideology-myth


Of five Central American heads of government, only two show up for SICA meeting
Press reports say that President Danilo Medina traveled to Guatemala City for the Central American Integration System (SICA) meeting to find himself at a meeting only attended by the President of Guatemala Jimmy Morales and President of Panama Juan Carlos Varela, as reported in El Dia.

SICA is made up of the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Belize, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Panama.

President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador did not attend the meeting, despite his country being the designated next pro tempore holder for the entity. EFE news service reported that Bukele had traveled to Guatemala but at last minute did not show for the SICA meeting.

Others that did not participate were Prime Minister Dean Barrow of Belize, President Daniel Ortega of Nicaragua, President Juan Orlando Hernandez of Honduras and President Carlos Alvarado of Costa Rica. These delegated their participation to their ministers.

The Dominican Republic joined the Central American Integration System in 2013 after efforts to integrate into the Caribbean Common Market (Caricom) failed.

https://eldia.com.do/la-cumbre-del-sica-comienza-sin-bukele-y-despidiendo-al-presidente-de-panama/


PRSC requests Constitutional Court revoke JCE drag vote resolution
On Wednesday, 5 June 2019, the Social Christian Reformist Party (PRSC) submitted to the Constitutional Court a direct action of unconstitutionality against resolution 08-2019 of the Central Electoral Board (JCE). The resolution ordered that the votes for the deputy of one party be added to the total of the senator of the same party, as was the situation in the 2016 election. But the drag vote will now only apply for the National District and five provinces. In the 26 other provinces, voters can vote separately for senators and deputies. These other provinces account for less than half of the voters nationwide.

A commission of the highest leadership of the PRSC headed by its president, engineer Federico Antún Batlle (Quique), and general secretary, Ramon Rogelio Genao, argues that the JCE resolution violates articles 22, 75, 77 and 208 of the 2015 Constitution.

Furthermore, Antún stated that Electoral Regime Law 15-19 is clear and precise where it establishes four election levels that are separate and independent for the entire national territory. He said that the JCE Resolution 08-19 violates the Constitution and Dominican laws.

"The Central Electoral Board has left us no choice but to turn to the competent authorities, in this case, the Constitutional Court," he said.

https://n.com.do/2019/06/05/prsc-acude-al-tc-contra-voto-de-arrastre-en-seis-provincias-del-pais/


More polling companies registered with JCE
During a 4 June 2019 session, the Central Electoral Board (JCE) approved the registration of five more polling companies. These are: Estudios e Investigaciones Profesionales Acxon; Aarasec Research, Vcr & Asociados; Valgasa.; Zogby Analytics; and ABC Marketing Consultoría y Asesoramiento.

The Central Electoral Board (JCE) has now authorized 18 polling companies to carry out surveys for the general elections in 2020. Municipal elections are scheduled for 16 February and presidential and congressional elections for 17 May 2020.
The companies had been required to register to carry out polls and comply with Electoral Regime Law 15-19.

The other validated polling companies are:
Gallup Dominicana
Servi-Marketing Interactivo (SMI)
CID Latinoamérica
Herrera, Almonte y Asociados
Mercado & Cuantificaciones y Asociados
Centro Económico del Cibao
Asisa Research Group
Consultores estratégico de Marketing
Investigaciones RD Rasa
Sigma Dos República Dominicana
Newlink Dominicana
José Dorin Cabrera
NG Media
Sistemas Globales (Sisglo)
Newpartners


Leonel Fernández’s deputies say they will reject initiatives that benefit President Medina
The 37 deputies who are loyal to former President Leonel Fernández declared themselves in rebellion and announced they would join the opposition to reject all legislative initiatives that are beneficial to President Danilo Medina. They say that they will only vote for actions that are of interest to the Dominican Republic and their leader.

Juan Carlos Quiñones, the spokesman for the Leonelista bloc, said that this and other extreme measures will be applied in the Chamber of Deputies to demand respect for former President Leonel Fernández. They called for the promoters of the re-election to stop the alleged dirty campaign against him.

He also said that they will not receive instructions from the Political Committee or other bodies of the official party if those instructions mean violating the Constitution.

"We warned Monchy Fadul, Felucho Jiménez, Amarante Baret and all others, that we have no fear, nor are we going to respect any line of anything; that the line from now on is to be respectful with the signing of the pact not to modify the Constitution," he said.

https://n.com.do/2019/06/05/los-37-...icotearan-todas-las-iniciativas-del-gobierno/


US Embassy: US government-backed investment and reelection do not mix
The US Embassy in the Dominican Republic responded to the Monday, 3 June 2019 “El Observador” TV show by Jaime Bayly, with a Tweet on their position. The show aired from Miami, Florida.

During the show, the Peruvian journalist accused former President Leonel Fernández of accepting campaign contributions from people with irregularly obtained fortunes and ties to the Venezuelan regimes of Hugo Chavez and Nicolas Maduro, and criticized that President Medina attempt to continue in power using the Hugo Chavez formula of amending the Constitution.

Recently, the US Embassy has been active in promoting US funding for local investments and trade with the Dominican Republic, including the recent visit of the head of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation.

See the translation of the communiqué of the Embassy of the United States on the comments by Jaime Bayly:

“As we have said before, we're not used to responding to rumors. However, considering the attention this case has generated, we will confirm that, although we meet regularly with representatives of the host country, the referred meeting with Mr. Jaime Bayly did not happen.

“However, transparency, good governance and commitment to democratic institutions are necessary conditions for US investments, in particular for investments backed by the United States government.

“The fight against corruption, respect for the constitution, and free and fair elections are strong indicators of a country's commitment to democracy.”

https://twitter.com/embajadausaenrd?lang=en
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wx1Cf6KCn1I&feature=share


Dominicans traveling more, passport requests up
The Passport Agency (DGP) says that as usual in summer requests for passports and passport renewals are up. Aura Toribio, director of the DGP, says that this year the increase is greater due to the elimination of the requirement of visas, giving Dominicans more options for easy travel. She says the unexpected increase in requests has led to a scarcity in passports that has been met with protests from Dominicans applying for the service. Toribio says those who do not have an urgent need to travel should postpone their application.

“Every day we are seeing 2,500 requests at our 12 offices nationwide,” said Toribio in a statement. She says the headquarters in Santo Domingo see around 1,200 requests every day.

She says that an order has been placed for new passports to the leading global passport printer to meet the increasing demand.

https://listindiario.com/la-republi...ementado-por-eliminacion-de-visados-segun-dgp


Robotics used in Santiago hospital operations
The Metropolitan Hospital of Santiago (HOMS) reports that Dr. Marcos Arias of the urology service of the hospital has performed several surgeries for the treatment of prostate cancer assisted by a robot. He is the first Dominican urologist to perform this procedure in the Dominican Republic. He is using a Da Vinci Surgical System robotics.

https://listindiario.com/la-republi...cirugia-robotica-contra-el-cancer-de-prostata
https://www.intuitive.com/en-us/products-and-services/da-vinci


Hotel Association announces extra measures to keep the DR a safe destination
Paola Rainieri, president of the Association of Hotels & Tourism (Asonahores), said that recent deaths of tourists are isolated cases. She stressed the Dominican Republic is a safe destination.

She said Asonahores is waiting for the authorities to complete investigations into recent cases so that the truth may be known. The US media has been following the cases creating a media crisis for the Dominican tourism destination, feeding on the slow pace of the local investigators.

She said the US State Department grades the Dominican Republic as a level 2 country on violence, at the same level as France, Germany, Spain, China and many others.

She said that the Ministry of Tourism and the National Competitiveness Council would soon announce new security measures that the public and private sectors have been working on for months.

In 2018, the Dominican Republic received 6.5 million tourists by air for growth above 6.2%. This is above the global average of 6%, 3% for the Americas and 2% in Central America and the Caribbean.

Main markets for the Dominican Republic are United States and Canada. The Dominican Republic is the leading destination for US and Canadian tourists in the Caribbean.

US Ambassador Robin Bernstein stated on 4 June 2019: “They come here to visit the beautiful beaches and enjoy the wonderful culture. Sometimes bad things happen to people. Normally we do not comment on ongoing investigations. The premium function of our Embassy is to take care of safety and security of all Americans that visit here and work here.”

http://hoy.com.do/video-rd-es-seguro-casos-violentos-contras-turistas-son-hechos-aislados/
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...e-seguridad-del-turismo-en-el-pais-NP12959433

https://nypost.com/2019/06/05/domin...third-us-tourist-dies-of-respiratory-failure/


Hotels need to install surveillance cameras now
The Ministry of Tourism (MITUR) is giving hotels in the Dominican Republic 60 days to install surveillance cameras, as ordered by the Ministry of Tourism Resolution No. 43-08. Tourism Minister Francisco Javier says that the cameras will enhance security. According to the order, hotels failing to comply with the measure could see their operating license withdrawn. The order came after US tourist Tammy Lawrence-Daley claimed on her Facebook page that she had been brutally beaten by a hotel employee at a Punta Cana resort.

https://www.diariolibre.com/economi...para-instalar-camaras-de-seguridad-LC12983549


Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts explains that the death of three tourists were not in the same hotel
Bahia Principe Hotels & Resorts explained on Wednesday, 5 June 2019, that the two events in which three US tourists died did not happen in the same hotel and, therefore, to date there are no indications of any link between the two unfortunate incidents. The statement is made after speculation of the deaths occurring in the same hotel becoming viral in social media and reports abroad.

The incidents occurred at the Luxury Bahia Principe Bouganville and at the Grand Bahia Principe La Romana that are separate hotels, despite both being located in the same Playa Nueva Romana hotel and residential complex in San Pedro de Macoris.

Through a statement, the hotel company says that the death of Miranda Schaup-Werner had occurred at their Luxury Bahia Principe Bouganville in Playa Nueva Romana on 25 May 2019. "The same day of her arrival, she found herself indisposed, and the protocols for this situation were activated by the hotel. The medical service of the hotel was informed, and she was to be transferred to a hospital when, unfortunately, she died before her transfer," said the hotel in a statement.

The hotel says that the case now is in the hands of the corresponding local authorities. The hotel has continued to give support to the husband, who was staying with her. “From the first moment, support was offered to Mr. Werner, to whom we express our condolences, in collaboration with local authorities and the US Embassy," said the hotel chain.

"According to official communications from the National Institute of Forensic Sciences (Inacif) and the National Police Criminal Investigation Unit (Dicrim), Schaup-Werner died of a heart attack. The hotel says the husband had mentioned that the woman had a history of heart disease.

The other case is that of Maryland couple, 63-year old Edward Nathaniel Holmes and 49-year-old Cynthia Ann Day, who were found dead in their room at a Bahía Principe hotel in Playa Nueva Romana in southeastern San Pedro de Macoris on 30 May, the day they would have left the hotel. They had been staying there since 25 May. The couple showed no signs of violence. The hotel stated that they immediately made contact with local authorities and are collaborating in the ongoing investigation.

http://z101digital.com/bahia-princi...de-tres-turistas-no-fueron-en-el-mismo-hotel/


Now that cruise ships are canceling Cuba, where will they stop?
Puerto Rico has openly stated it seeks to lure the stops that would have been made in Cuba after this week President Donald Trump announced a new travel ban. Nearly 800,000 bookings of tourists that would have visited Cuba on cruise ships will need to be canceled or rerouted, according to the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).

Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, Carnival and Seabourn passengers were affected. Many people say they booked the cruise attracted by the stopover in Cuba. The Trump administration has banned cruises, private yachts and fishing vessels from visiting Cuba. The ban has affected many, even those currently en route to the island nation. Those cruise ships had to change course while at sea.

“The new rules effectively make it illegal to cruise to Cuba from the United States,” CLIA said in its statement. “While this situation is completely beyond our control, we are genuinely sorry for all cruise line guests who were looking forward to their previously booked itineraries to Cuba.”

https://www.carnival.com/travel-alerts.aspx?live=642f8ba6-a0fe-aa55-1d53-2e674bdf60d8
https://www.elnuevodia.com/correspo...onaltraslacancelaciondecrucerosacuba-2497769/
https://www.elnuevodia.com/negocios...ntelasnuevasrestriccionesparairacuba-2497731/


Suspected people trafficker Ariel Polanco (Yipeta) arrested
The Dominican Republic Armada (Navy) reported on Wednesday, 5 June 2019 on the capture of the most wanted organizer of illegal trips to Puerto Rico, allegedly responsible for the frustrated crossing of a ship that capsized on Sunday, 2 June, with 15 people on board, including a pregnant woman who died of bronchopneumonia.

Ariel Polanco, better known as "Yipeta", was arrested on 5 June 2019 in San Juan de la Maguana, after a year of intelligence work by the Navy’s M-2 unit.

Polanco was arrested in a residence in San Juan de la Maguana during an operation with the participation of members of the M-2, J-2, agents of Criminal Investigations Unit (Dicrim) of the Police and the Public Ministry.

The spokesman for the Dominican Navy, Captain Francisco Sánchez Tapia said Ariel Polanco is the most recognized trafficker of illegals to Puerto Rico and responsible for the trip of a ship that capsized last Sunday 12 nautical miles from Higüey.

Fourteen people were on board, 11 men and four women, including Maria Yessenia Vasquez Batanes, 43, who was pregnant and died in the hospital Nuestra Señora de la Altagracia due to bronchopneumonia.

The other occupants of the ship were rescued by naval units of the Dominican Navy and hospitalized for dehydration until Tuesday, 4 June 2019 when they were discharged.

After being discharged, they were taken to the M-2 Naval Intelligence Office, in Los Mameyes sector, Santo Domingo Este, where, after being interrogated, they identified Ariel Polanco (Yipeta), as the organizer of the frustrated voyage.

The Navy spokesman said Polanco is also credited with the trip where Alexander Abad Carela lost his life. He was on an illegal boat trip with 15 others who capsized six miles from Catalina Island on 11 March 2019. Others were rescued by the Dominican Coast Guard.

"But there are not two, but dozens of illegal trips that Ariel Polanco, alias Yipeta, managed to organize to Puerto Rico, charging up to US$5,000 to each person," said the Navy spokesman, assuring that the capture of Ariel Polanco is a resounding blow to the people smuggling trade.

Sánchez Tapia urged people interested in traveling to Puerto Rico to not risk their lives at sea and not let themselves be convinced by traffickers.

Vice Admiral Recio Segura's spokesman recalled that the US Navy and Coast Guard have formed what he defined as "a ring" in the La Mona channel, preventing the arrival of illegal immigrants to Puerto Rico.

http://hoy.com.do/capturan-a-la-yipeta-el-mas-buscado-organizador-de-viajes-ilegales-a-puerto-rico/


Patron impedes holdup in supermarket
A quick shopper reacted to surprise an assailant who inside a supermarket tried to hold up several people. A video from the supermarket shows the patron when he acts, later to be assisted by other men who would have been the victim of the assailant. The video is circulating on social media. The patrons were able to control the assailant.

https://n.com.do/2019/06/05/golpean-y-desarman-a-un-hombre-que-intento-asaltar-un-supermercado/


Summer heat sets in
Highs above 35C are forecast to prevail as a southeastern wind carries warm air from the sea to the land. The good news is that temperatures will drop in the evening.

The Meteorology Office (Onamet) reported that there will be occasional thunderstorms in the north (Puerto Plata), central (Santiago, La Vega, Monseñor Nouel (Bonao) and southeastern regions. Santo Domingo will remain half cloudy with occasional showers. Meteorology reports on favorable conditions for all boats to sail.


Dominicans defeat Thailand and Bulgaria in Volleyball Nations League
The Dominican Republic women’s national volleyball team (Queens of the Caribbean) moved up to 9th place after victories over Thailand (ranked 14th) and Bulgaria (ranked 16th) in the 4-6 June 2019 preliminary round of the 16-team FIVB Volleyball Nations League held in Bangkok, Thailand. The Dominican Republic has five wins of nine games played. The Dominican Republic women’s team is ranked 10th in the world by the International Volleyball Federation (FIVB).

On 5 June, the Dominican team had defeated pool host Thailand in Bangkok. The Dominican women forged ahead despite the home crowds rallying against them and the grueling game ended 3-2. FIVB reported that Brayelin Martínez inspired the Dominican Republic team to a thrilling 31-29, 13-25, 30-28, 20-25, 16-14) win over Thailand. Martínez collected 36 points for a new entry at No. 3 in the list of players to have scored 30 points or more in a single Volleyball Nations League match. Martinez, 22, had 33 kills from 62 swings for a 53% efficiency and added three more points from blocks against Thailand.

In the match against Bulgaria (16th) on 6 June 2019, the Dominican Republic won 1-3. The scores were: 20-25, 21-25, 31-29, 20-25.

In the Bangkok round of games, the DR had lost to Turkey (12th).

The Dominican team will then travel to Stuttgart, Germany to play European teams in the third preliminary round. The DR will match Germany (15th) on 11 June, the Netherlands (7th) on 12 June and Belgium (19th) on 13 June.

The top six teams will move to the finals to take place in Nanjing, China, 3-7 July.

https://listindiario.com/el-deporte...e-derrotan-a-tailandia-en-la-liga-de-naciones
https://www.volleyball.world/en/vnl/news/brayelin-martinez-makes-new-entry-at-no?id=82813
https://www.volleyball.world/en/vnl...61.265705469.1559740441-1791822030.1558527289


National District Superior Basketball Tournament begins
The two-month long superior men’s basketball tournament began on Wednesday, 5 June 2019 at the Palacio de los Deportes with a first win by San Lázaro over Los Prados.

To encourage fans to go to the games, the government announced that Omsa buses would be offering free transportation. Service will be available to get fans to the venue in time for the 7pm games and on weekends for the 5pm and 7pm games.

OMSA said that bus units will be stationed in the basketball clubs, Mauricio Báez, current champions, Rafael Barias, San Carlos, San Lázaro, Los Prados, El Millón, Huellas del Siglo and Bameso, to ensure fans get to the games.

http://hoy.com.do/omsa-brindara-tra...el-baloncesto-superior-del-distrito-nacional/
 
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