DR1 Daily News - Wednesday, 10 July 2019

D

Dolores

Guest
Presidency: New Territorial Cohesion Fund
Congress isn't working due to reelection impasse
Leonelistas deny they are "belligerent"
Motorcyclists picket National Congress
PRM president against unifying 2020 elections
14% increase in the minimum wage
National District mayor renegotiates contracts
Did the Attorney General know about the covert Odebrecht payments for Punta Catalina?
More than 50% of repatriated Dominicans have served time for drug trafficking
Some identified following car crash
Another woman dies undergoing plastic surgery
Dominican Film Festival in New York
Young People's Chorus of New York City in Santo Domingo



Presidency: New Territorial Cohesion Fund
The Presidency created a fund to channel resources to city governments nationwide. The Territorial Cohesion Fund will provide city governments with funds to carry out needed projects in their communities. Decree 249-19 provides the legal framework for the fund that will operate under the Presidency of the Republic.

The announcement of the fund comes shortly before the 2020 municipal elections. The municipal elections are scheduled for 16 February 2019. Some 3,849 elective posts will be decided, including the election of mayors in 158 municipalities nationwide. The 16 February election is estimated to cost RD$5 billion.

Municipal Law 166-03 establishes that 10% of the National Budget should be allotted to city government budgets. But the Medina administration every year has been allocating less of what is lawfully authorized to the city governments. The new fund would compensate for the lack of fulfillment of the law.

https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias...rial-para-promover-cofinanciamiento-proyectos
https://www.scribd.com/document/416342444/Decreto-249-19
https://www.diariolibre.com/economi...upuesto-2018-no-marca-la-diferencia-FC8316546
https://hoy.com.do/presidente-medina-crea-fondo-cohesion-territorial/
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...ebrero-costarian-rd-5-000-millones-OD13326448


Congress isn't working due to reelection impasse
For the fifth consecutive week, no regular legislative business has been conducted at either the Senate or the Chamber of Deputies. The legislators of the ruling Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) are the majority in the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies. They are divided between those that favor amending the Constitution to enable President Danilo Medina to run for a third term and followers of former President Leonel Fernández who are against any amendment. Fernández seeks to be the party's presidential candidate in the 2020 election. This would be Medina's second consecutive constitutional reform.

For months, followers of Medina have been lobbying to get enough votes to push through the constitutional amendment that would remove the transitory paragraph that impedes Medina from running for a third term. Medina followers have also spoken up in favor of unifying the municipal election that is set for 16 February 2020 with the congressional and presidential election that is set for 17 May 2020.

Followers of former President Leonel Fernández stand by the agreement that delivered the 2015 Constitution that enabled Medina to run for President in 2016, but at the same time bans him from running for President again. Fernández followers say an internal congress would need to be convened to change what was established in the 2015 pact between Medina and Fernández.

Constitutional reform is also rejected by a majority of PRM legislators. This has impeded the Medina lobby from reaching the number of votes needed to convene the National Revisory Assembly to start the process to amend the 2015 Constitution.

https://www.diariolibre.com/opinion/am/breve-historia-constitucional-MD13328545


Leonelistas deny they are "belligerent"
The ruling party faction of former President Leonel Fernandez believes that in the current circumstances, it is inappropriate to impose a constitutional reform to allow a third term to President Danilo Medina. They argue that 70% of the Dominican population has expressed opposition to this over the past two years, as reported in Listin Diario.

Former Fernández government attorney general Radhamés Jiménez read a five-paragraph document at a press hearing called in response to the ruling Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) Political Committee having urged Fernández to take the debate regarding constitutional reform to be heard in Congress. The president of the Senate, Reinaldo Pared Pérez accused Fernández of maintaining "a belligerent attitude."

Jiménez read that there has been a widespread rejection of the bid to amend the Constitution from civil society, churches and different political forces in the Congress. "So there is no legal way to get the required two-thirds in the National Revisory Assembly for such reform," said Jiménez.

He reminded the Political Committee members that back President Medina's aspirations to a third term that all committee members had signed a 15-point pact before the Constitution was amended in 2015 to enable Medina to run for his second term. "We reiterate we will continue to accompany the Dominican people in defense of the Constitution and democracy, peacefully and legally," read Jimenez.

Secretary general of the PLD, Reinaldo Pared Perez had demanded on Monday, 8 July 2019 that Fernandez respect the party organizations and not hinder the powers of the state. Pared Pérez said that internal differences should be managed through internal debate and respect for the decision of the majority.

https://n.com.do/2019/07/09/leoneli...nstitucional-y-niegan-version-de-pared-perez/
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...titucional-y-niegan-tener-actitud-beligerante
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...-pacto-del-2015-sigue-igual-en-pld-KD13326837


Motorcyclists picket National Congress
On Tuesday, 9 July, motorcyclists congregated in the Centro de los Heroes government agency area to protest the amending of the Constitution so that President Danilo Medina could run for a third term. Access roads to Congress were blocked in both directions. The protestors held banners saying: "The Constitution is not up for sale."

There is speculation that those who favor amending the Constitution have told legislators to name their price to lure the needed votes.

https://hoy.com.do/motoristas-vuelv...protestar-por-posible-reforma-constitucional/


PRM president against unifying 2020 elections
The president of the Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM), Puerto Plata senator José Ignacio Paliza rejected the unifying of the 2020 general elections. He responded to the proposal made by municipal authorities to modify the Constitution so that municipal, congressional and presidential elections take place on the same day.

"Nothing and no one is going to distract us," he said. He observed that constitutional texts can always be improved, but that "at this moment in history, what those who seek to modify it are looking for is to remain in power above any logic."

On Monday, 8 July 2019, the secretary general of the Dominican Municipal League, Johnny Jones, and presidents of several municipal associations, presented to the Congress and the Central Electoral Board (JCE) a motion to unify the municipal election scheduled for 16 February 2020 with the congressional and presidential elections set for 17 May 2020.

https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2019/07...r-en-el-poder-por-encima-de-cualquier-logica/


14% increase in the minimum wage
Business and labor representatives agreed on a 14% increase to the general minimum wage. As reported, the proposal came from the government to end a long impasse in the minimum wage talks. The unions called it a victory for workers, even though the increase was less than they had demanded. The labor representatives had sought a 25% increase.

The business sectors were not able to convince labor to approve the reclassification of companies. The reclassification would especially benefit small business that now pays the same minimum wage as large business, even in cases where special sector schemes apply.

The government said that the reclassification of companies would be discussed in 60 days.

Employers were reportedly not happy with the decision and said that they would shortly call a press conference.

The minimum wage for big business is now at RD$17,610, medium-sized business level is RD$12,107 and small company minimum wage is RD$10,728 per month.

https://www.mt.gob.do/index.php/not...salarial-e-inicio-trabajos-de-reclasificacion
https://listindiario.com/economia/2...nimo-sindicalistas-lo-califican-de-victorioso


National District mayor renegotiates contracts
National District Mayor David Collado has announced an unprecedented negotiation in the contracts for garbage collecting in the capital city. He said the renegotiation means considerable savings for the city government and a reduction in the debt inherited from the previous administration.

The debt with one of the companies, Disposición Sanitaria Capital (DSC), dropped from RD$481 million to RD$121 million. The company had been offering the service since 2006.

In a previous contract negotiation, with another company, more than RD$80 million of debt was eliminated.

The Mayor said savings are now RD$1.3 billion up to the end of the contracts that will be in 2023.

https://listindiario.com/la-republi...renegocia-contratos-y-ahorra-mas-de-rd-500-mm


Did the Attorney General know about the covert Odebrecht payments for Punta Catalina?
Civil society entities and the Observatory for Public Policies of the state university, UASD want to determine if the Attorney General Office in the Dominican Republic and the Brazilian construction firm, Odebrecht, covered up information on bribes that were allegedly paid for the Punta Catalina thermoelectric plant.

Eurin Cuevas Medina and the president of the National Human Rights Commission, Manuel María Mercedes, said they have written to American, Brazilian and Swiss ambassadors to determine if Odebrecht had delivered to the Attorney General Office information on the US$39.5 million that new documentation links to bribes paid for the thermoelectric.

They say if it is determined the Attorney General Jean Alain Rodríguez covered up the information he could be taken to justice, even if it is in another administration.

https://elnacional.com.do/piden-a-eu-indagar-si-ocultaron-datos-sobornos-catalina/


More than 50% of repatriated Dominicans have served time for drug trafficking
In the first six months of this year, the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency has repatriated 610 Dominicans who had completed sentences for drug dealing. Another 541 Dominicans were deported, having served sentences for other crimes.

According to data from Las Americas International Airport in Santo Domingo, those who had been sentenced for drug dealing served their sentences in jails in New York, Boston, Miami and Los Angeles.
Of those repatriated for drug dealing in the first six months of this year, 34 were women and 576 men.

https://hoy.com.do/estados-unidos-r...ue-cumplieron-condenas-por-trafico-de-drogas/


Some identified following car crash
Following the car accident on Monday, 8 July 2019, when nine people died, the driver has now been identified as 46-year-old Miguel Antonio Castro Mercedes. He had been arrested in 2018 for smuggling 10 packs of marijuana and 249 sacks of garlic.

Of the eight Haitians who died, three have been identified. These are Janvier Dieufait, Jean Bernard Pierre and Exaneau Cabe. The bodies were taken to the National Institute of Forensic Science in Santiago. Nelson Jamel, aged 21, is one of the five who were injured.

The nine died when the Toyota Camry with 17 persons plunged into an irrigation canal in Santiago province. The passengers were undocumented Haitians. The driver lost control of the vehicle when trying to evade military migration checks on the way to Santiago from Dajabón on the border.

https://eldia.com.do/nueve-muertos-deja-un-accidente-en-navarrete/


Another woman dies undergoing plastic surgery
The Ministry of Public Health shut down a cosmetics clinic in Villa Mella where three women have died, including two from the United States. The clinic was not authorized for plastic surgery operations, but nevertheless, these were carried out there.

The US media has reported that a mother from Westchester, United States has died while getting a tummy tuck at a medical clinic in the Dominican Republic, just weeks after an Alabama teacher passed away while undergoing surgery at the same facility.

Alexandra Medina, 33, of New Rochelle traveled to the country to have the procedure done at the Dr. Ureña Arias Clinic in Santo Domingo last Wednesday, 3 July 2019, for the medical procedure, which also included liposuction, despite her family's pleas to stay home.

The Ministry of Public Health says that an investigation has been opened. The deceased reportedly was operated with Dr. Felix Almanzar. As reported in the New York Post, the Ministry of Public Health did say that Dr. Almanzar was not licensed to practice surgery.

The family learned that Medina had suffered fatal complications during the tummy tuck, with her preliminary cause of death ruled an embolism. She leaves behind a husband and 14-year old son.
Her death comes after an Alabama teacher died last month at the same clinic, which was briefly closed by the Ministry of Public Health. Alicia Renette Williams, aged 45, suffered blood clots and died from undergoing an elective procedure on 2 June 2019 with the same doctor.

Persons interested in plastic surgery in the Dominican Republic should check that the clinic and surgeon are authorized to practice. Before booking any procedure, see the website of the Dominican Society of Plastic Surgeons to find a qualified surgeon.

https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...ia-estetica-en-rd-exigen-respuesta-ED13321360
https://nypost.com/2019/07/09/another-american-dies-from-cosmetic-surgery-in-dominican-republic/
http://www.sodocipre.net/en/plastic-surgeons-members-of-sodocipre/


Dominican Film Festival in New York
"Lo que siento por tí" opens the 8th Dominican Film Festival (DFFNY) at the United Palace cinema in Washington Heights, New York City. The film tells the stories of three families and their children with special needs. The director of the film, Raul Camilo, leading actor Félix Germán, actor Josué Guerrero and producer Luis Arambilet will be present for the presentation of the film. The showing will take place from 23 to 28 July.
Upon announcing the film festival, Armando Guareño, founder and director of DFFNY said that "Lo que siento por ti" is a story of family love, full of emotions. "We are sure it will win the heart of the public," he said.

Guareño said that the mission of the festival is to promote the emerging movie makers and those that are better known.

"DFFNY strives to strengthen the Dominican Republic's vital economic, social and cultural relationship with the United States. Its goal is to inform the New York City public about Dominican cinema and its relationship to the history, politics and social life of this country, through an aesthetic approach.

Opening night tickets are available and range from $30 to $130. For more information, visit:
http://www.dominicanfilmfestival.com/
https://www.metrord.do/do/entretenc...ano-ny-iniciara-la-pelicula-lo-siento-ti.html


Young People's Chorus of New York City in Santo Domingo
Francisco J. Nuñez will be directing the Young People's Chorus of New York City when they perform the first YPC National concert on Thursday, 18 July at 8pm at the Anfiteatro del Pabellon de la Fama. Joining the YPC singers on stage will be young singers from Santo Domingo. Tickets for the performance are for sale online at Uepa Tickets and at CCN Servicios, Supermercados Nacional and Jumbo stores nationwide.

The founder and artistic director of the chorus will lead a YPC National Studio workshop for public and private school music teachers.

After the stop in Santo Domingo, the YPC troupe will travel to Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee, where they will be joined by young singers, conductors, and teachers from New Jersey, Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, Georgia, and the Dominican Republic for YPC National Lab sessions for choristers and YPC National Studio sessions for teachers and conductors.

This week-long Lee University residency of workshops and rehearsals will prepare the participants for the debut performances on 25 and 26 July of Concinamus, the official YPC National choral ensemble.

The concert programs will be highlighted by the world premiere performances of the first two works in the new YPC National Works catalogue, which were commissioned from composers and longtime YPC colleagues Bruce Adolphe and Jim Papoulis, both of whom will be in attendance.

YPC National supports and inspires youth choruses and choral conductors across the country with a program of artistic excellence, diversity, and education modeled on the Young People's Chorus of New York City.

https://ypc.org/francisco-j-nunez-a...-of-ypc-national-and-the-debut-of-concinamus/
https://ypc.org/a-ypc-summer/