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Next DR1 Daily News Update: Monday, 16 September 2019
Medina inaugurates 33rd Asonahores Trade Show
Passport booklets available at the Passport Agency
Senasa + Conape program reaches out to senior citizens
Successful operation of swallowed fake teeth at public hospital
Jose Ignacio Paliza: We are indifferent to who wins the PLD primaries
Gonzalo Castillo is still on payroll as minister of Public Works
Majority of PLD senators back Gonzalo Castillo
César Pérez: Politicians hanging on to their privileges
Supreme Court begins hearings for US$92 million bribes trial
Dominican Laura Jiménez to seek Latin vote for Joe Biden
Cheddy García makes emergency landing in Nassau
New photos of Miss Universe DR: Clauvid Luz Daly
Beach Volleyball Cup in Punta Cana
DR loses to Montserrat, wins against El Salvador in Concacaf tournament
Next DR1 Daily News Update: Monday, 16 September 2019
The next DR1 Daily News update will appear on Monday, 16 September 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
Medina inaugurates 33rd Asonahores Trade Show
President Danilo Medina opened the 33rd National Hotel & Tourism Association (Asonahores) Trade Show in Punta Cana on 11 September 2019. Participating in the opening were Environment Minister Angel Estevez; Attorney General Jean Alain Rodríguez; Archbishop for La Altagracia province Nicanor Peña Rodríguez. Paola Rainieri and Andrés Marranzini gave the opening speeches at the event that is held at the Blue Mall Puntacana in the Puntacana Village.
"This growth and development have not been casual or improvised. Our tourist industry has worked for more than 50 years continuously without rest and overcoming obstacles, to achieve the fastest and most impacting change in the economic history of our country," said Rainieri.
"We open our trade exhibition at a time when our industry has suffered from international battering. If we have achieved the success and the leadership as a result of our efforts, to stay at the top requires greater effort and dedication. We want to maintain what we have done well, to correct the errors that have been committed and remember there cannot be zones of comfort to stay ahead in tourism,” said the president of Asonahores.
She highlighted that most tourists say they will return because of the hospitality and warmth of the people. Furthermore, she said the quality of the hotels, the food, beaches, entertainment, theme parks and airport installations had received good reviews from visitors. She said in recent years, the quality of the highways and communication systems have also ranked well. She said in 2018, net earnings of the global tourism industry reached US$43 billion, of which the Dominican Republic received 14% of the total and 24% in the Caribbean region.
Andrés Marranzini, executive director of Asonahores, said the tradeshow this year in Punta Cana is the largest held in the Dominican Republic.
https://elnuevodiario.com.do/dejan-...ion-de-la-exposicion-comercial-de-asonahores/
Passport booklets available at the Passport Agency
Good news for those who have applied for Dominican passports. A shipment of the booklets has arrived. The Passports Agency says it is delivering the passports in order of applications. Aura Toribio, director of the Passports Agency, said the office will be open until 6pm to get the travel documents to applicants.
She said the passports have a new design and enhanced security level. The passports are now navy blue. Previously Dominican passports were black.
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2019/09...ortes-hoy-comenzaran-a-llamar-a-los-usuarios/
Senasa + Conape program reaches out to senior citizens
Thousands of senior citizens are benefiting from the health plan issued by the National Council for the Elderly (Conape) and the National Health Insurance (Senasa). The director of Conape, Nathalie María and Mercedes Rodríguez Silver of Senasa said the entities are working together to ensure older adults receive comprehensive care in the areas of health, social protection and general welfare.
"SeNaSa takes care of you" is the inter-institutional program that includes activities for the recreation and stimulation of older adults. The new service entitles beneficiaries to medicines and home visits in cases when the elderly are unable to travel. It also covers food supplements and mobility devices such as wheelchairs, canes, crutches, among others.
https://elnacional.com.do/conape-y-senasa-entregan-seguros-medicos-a-decenas-de-adultos-mayores/
Successful operation of swallowed fake teeth at public hospital
Surgeons at the Francisco Moscoso Puello public hospital have given details on the successful outcome of an operation of a 43-year old woman. Bruna Jiménez, from La Romana, had swallowed her dentures after suffering an epileptic seizure.
She was operated two months ago by a team head by Hector Rosario, Carmen Ventura, Gladys Paulino, Ramona Rodríguez, Maribel de la Cruz and Máximo Vásquez of the Francisco Moscoso Puello Hospital. The denture was stuck in the woman’s esophagus for eight days until she was referred from La Romana to the Santo Domingo public hospital.
The operation took three hours. The woman is back to eating all kinds of food. She was hospitalized for one month and was 15 days in the intensive care unit. Her doctors say that only 20% of these cases survive.
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...s-que-sobreviven-a-esos-incidentes-CE14108802
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...er-que-se-la-trago-accidentalmente-AE14103542
Jose Ignacio Paliza: We are indifferent to who wins the PLD primaries
The president of the Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM), José Ignacio Paliza called Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) presidential pre-candidates Leonel Fernández and Gonzalo Castillo “two sons of the same system.” He says it makes no difference for the PRM whoever wins the PLD primary on 6 October 2019.
He said both PLD candidates represent politics over the past 20 years in which the ruling party has not been able to “resolve a single one of the national problems.”
"In the Dominican Republic, blackouts are everywhere, health is a chimera, education is a project, and they do not know how to deal with citizen safety,” said Paliza.
He said the PRM is convinced it will win over the Dominican vote in the 2020 elections because Dominicans are ready to vary the model under which they have been governed.
Paliza was interviewed on El Sol de la Tarde radio talk show by Cristian Jiménez, Consuelo Despradel, Angel Acosta, Elizabeth Mateo and Pedro Jimenez.
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2019/09...sotros-es-indistinto-al-que-sea-le-ganaremos/
Gonzalo Castillo is still on payroll as minister of Public Works
Presidential pre-candidate for the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) Gonzalo Castillo resigned from his position on 5 August 2019. But by law, he is the acting minister of Public Works for at least the next 60 days or until his replacement is named. News reports he is still on the payroll. His base wage is RD$300,000.
As reported in El Nacional, Castillo said that he resigned on 5 August 2019 and has not returned to the Ministry. Castillo made the comments when interviewed on the radio program El Sol de la Mañana.
Fellow PLD pre-candidate Carlos Amarante Baret had accused Castillo of using his influence at the Ministry of Public Works to gain the support of mayors and other municipal officers that depend on the ministry for construction works in their municipalities.
https://elnacional.com.do/gonzalo-continua-como-ministro-op/
Majority of PLD senators back Gonzalo Castillo
22 of 32 senators announced they back the presidential aspirations of Gonzalo Castillo. Likewise, 17 members of the 34-member Political Committee of the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) announced they back Castillo.
Castillo is representing the Danilo Medina faction in the 6 October 2019 primary. His leading contender is former President Leonel Fernández.
Speaking for the senators that back Danilo Medina in the Senate, Rafael Calderón of Azua said that Castillo represents “the best values of the Danilismo.” He said Castillo is a loyal follower of the policies that have been implemented by the Danilo Medina administration.
Also present at the event to back Castillo were: Adriano Sánchez Roa, Elías Piña; Sonia Mateo, Dajabón; Julio César Valentín, Santiago; Winston Guerrero, Peravia (Baní); Amílcar Romero, Duarte (San Francisco de Macorís); Antonio Cruz, Santiago Rodríguez; Luis René Rojas Canaán, Hermanas Mirabal (Salcedo); Euclides Sánchez, La Vega; Rubén Darío Cruz, Hato Mayor; Eddy Mateo Vásquez, Barahona; Manuel Antonio Paula, Baoruco; Tommy Galán, San Cristóbal; Juan Orlando Mercedes Sena, Independencia; Félix Nova, Monseñor Nouel (Bonao); Arístides Victoria Yeb, María Trinidad Sánchez (Nagua); Félix María Vásquez, Sánchez Ramírez (Cotuí) and Cristina Lizardo, Santo Domingo.
Others that say they back Castillo are senators Pedro Alegría, San José de Ocoa; Heinz Vieluf, Montecristi; and Charlie Mariotti, Monte Planta.
https://elnacional.com.do/mayoria-de-senadores-del-pld-dan-apoyo-a-gonzalo-castillo/
https://n.com.do/2019/09/10/el-grueso-de-senadores-danilistas-respaldan-a-gonzalo/
https://hoy.com.do/veintidos-senadores-del-pld-respaldan-precandidatura-de-gonzalo-castillo/
César Pérez: Politicians hanging on to their privileges
Sociologist César Pérez says that Medina followers are intent on modifying the 2015 Constitution to unify municipal, congressional and presidential elections to ensure their privileges continue. Advocates of the constitutional amendment have argued there will be important cost savings if the election is held on the same date.
Pérez blatantly points out that what is at stake are the privileges of politicians and civil servants and their generous pensions after four years in service. He stresses that the shameful discretionary funds available to the legislators, the corruption of the political class and businessmen that grow rich at the expense of taxpayers are what is really behind the interest in constitutional reform.
He explains that the interest in unifying the municipal election with the presidential and congressional elections is a bait to amend the clause that impedes Medina from running for President again. The city elections are scheduled for 16 February 2020 and the presidential and congressional elections for 17 May 2020.
Pérez criticized that key people within the opposition Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) are advocating for constitutional amendment to restore Medina as a political candidate. Former President Hipólito Mejía has backed the rehabilitating of President Danilo Medina so he can again run for President in 2024.
“With its support for this rehabilitation, this Perremeista sector also ignores the generalized feeling against the government for Odebrecht's bribes, corruption and impunity. He recalled the rejection of constitutional reform expressed during the Green March movement marches.
Pérez says that the ambiguous position of the party on this issue of great transcendence and interest for this country “contributes to feed the old and historical prejudices against that party.”
César Cedeño, the national coordinator for the presidential campaign of former President Hipólito Mejía, has said that the rehabilitating of President Danilo Medina “is just a matter of time.” Mejía is competing against Luis Abinader for the PRM presidential nomination in the 6 October 2019 primary.
https://acento.com.do/2019/opinion/8727106-rehabilitacion-unificar-elecciones-e-inconsecuencias/
https://hoy.com.do/rehabilitacion-unificar-elecciones-e-inconsecuencias/
https://hoy.com.do/la-habilitacion-...rma-coordinador-de-campana-de-hipolito-mejia/
Supreme Court begins hearings for US$92 million bribes trial
The trial of those accused of taking US$92 million in bribes from the Brazilian construction company Odebrecht opens at the Supreme Court at 3pm on Thursday, 12 September 2019. The Attorney General Office has charged six men: Ángel Rondón Rijo, Víctor Díaz Rúa, Tommy Galán Grullón, Juan Roberto Rodríguez, Andrés Bautista, Conrado Pittaluga. Investigation judge Francisco Ortega prepared the case. They are accused of bribery, money laundering, illicit enrichment and falsehood for the US$92 million that Odebrecht officers admitted in a US Court to having paid in bribes.
Contrary to other Latin American country prosecutors, the Attorney General Office has based the Dominican case on statements made in Brazil by Odebrecht officers. A recent Alicia Ortega investigative journalism report denounced that the Attorney General Office has done very little to dig up incriminating evidence in the case.
The local case only covers works carried out by Odebrecht through 2014, and excludes the most significant construction work, the thermoelectric coal-fired power plant at Punta Catalina and roadwork carried out under the Medina administration.
The defense counsel for the accused is optimistic these will be cleared for lack of valid evidence presented by the local prosecution officers.
The Dominican case against Odebrecht began in 2016 when Brazilian officers were sentenced in a New York court. There they admitted to having paid US$92 million in bribes to secure contract work in the Dominican Republic. In the first action, the local public prosecutors took action against 14 people. Subsequently, the list of accused was reduced to six.
Opposition deputy Fidel Santana said on Monday, 10 September that the Attorney General Office is covering up for the guilty. "But here, the Public Prosecutor's Office, the Attorney General of the Republic; someone is waiting for something to happen about the Odebrecht investigations? I reiterate, that man (Jean Alain Rodriguez) was put there to cover up for his bosses, who are the main responsible. Nothing is going to happen," said the congressman.
The 16 judges of the Supreme Court will hear the case because among the accused is a senator who has privileged jurisdiction. Diario Libre reports the case could take a year and a half to conclude.
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...nico-juicio-odebrecht-quien-ganara-FE14104573
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...-caso-odebrecht-este-12-septiembre-PG14034319
https://eldia.com.do/angel-rondon-cita-26-diputados-a-juicio-caso-odebrecht/
https://hoy.com.do/f-santana-cree-mp-encubre-culpables-en-caso-odebrecht/
https://n.com.do/2019/09/10/diputad...-fondo-odebrecht-tras-ser-citados-por-la-scj/
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...&utm_medium= relacionada&utm_campaign=related
https://eldia.com.do/quien-es-quien-en-el-juicio-de-odebrecht-en-la-republica-dominicana/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcIelgrwTgE -- Alicia Ortega special report from Brazil
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...odria-tardar-mas-de-un-ano-y-medio-LE14109727
Dominican Laura Jiménez to seek Latin vote for Joe Biden
US Democratic Party pre-candidate Joe Biden named Dominican-American Laura Jiménez to be his Latinx National Vote Director. She is part of six senior staff members named to focus on attracting women and minority voters.
Laura Jiménez is the daughter of El Sol de la Tarde radio talk show host Cristian Jiménez and Vilma Pimentel. A graduate of Florida Atlantic University in political science, she has lived most of her life in the United States. She was active in the national presidential campaign of Hillary Clinton and Florida gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum. She also worked for Florida state senator José Javier Rodríguez as his chief of cabinet.
The Biden staff members are entrusted with rebuilding the diverse coalition that took Barack Obama to power in 2008.
Others hired are:
Amit Jani is Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) National Vote Director.
Carissa Smith is Women's National Vote Director.
Erika Dinkel-Smith is Director of Labor Engagement.
Trey Baker National is Director of African American Engagement.
Vincent Evans is Southern Political Director.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...-de-campana-del-voto-latino-en-estados-unidos
https://www.axios.com/joe-biden-cam...ers-61a39ac0-976f-4d09-bb5d-1f17f9c44e9a.html
https://n.com.do/2019/09/11/joe-bid...ir-campana-del-voto-latino-en-estados-unidos/
Cheddy García makes emergency landing in Nassau
Popular comedian Cheddy García reported on Wednesday, 11 September that she was a passenger on JetBlue flight B6-1706 to Orlando, Florida that had to make an emergency landing in Nassau, Bahamas. She was traveling with her two children. In a video posted on Instagram, she shared how a fire on board when the flight was in mid-flight caused the change of destination. “Thank you, God, we managed to get to Nassau!,” she wrote. In the video, frightened passengers can be seen.
El Dia reported around 100 passengers were on the flight that had departed at 8:38am from Las Americas International Airport. The flight landed at Lyden Pindling International Airport in Nassau at 10:17am.
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2019/09...ba-cheddy-y-sus-hijos-aterriza-de-emergencia/
https://eldia.com.do/salio-de-rd-avion-que-aterrizo-de-emergencia-en-bahamas/
New photos of Miss Universe DR: Clauvid Luz Daly
18-year old Clauvid Luz Daly has posted new photos online. She is the Dominican representative to the 68th edition of the Miss Universe pageant.
She is a Dominican-American. She was born in the United States but has lived most of her life in Punta Cana. She represented Punta Cana in the Miss Universe contest. Miss Universe 2019 will take place in Seoul, South Korea.
https://www.diariolibre.com/revista...es-sociales-con-nuevas-fotografias-AN14082929
Beach Volleyball Cup in Punta Cana
Top volleyball players are coming for the regional beach volleyball tournament at the Punta Cana’s Los Corales Beach. The North America, Central & Caribbean (Norceca) Beach Volleyball Circuit will take place from 12-16 September 2019. Eleven women’s pairs and 14 men’s duos are in Punta Cana to represent 15 countries. Competitions start on 13 September and continue through 15 September.
Anguilla, Canada, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Nicaragua, Trinidad & Tobago and United States will place teams in both genders. Curacao, Guatemala, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands will have only female teams while Bahamas, St Lucia and St Vincent & Grenadines will play only in the men’s segment. The Dominican Republic, St Lucia and St Vincent & Grenadines will field two men’s teams each.
Ernesto Veloz, of the Punta Cana Hotels and Tourism Development Association, is the head of the organizing committee. Amos Anglade of AA Marketing Sport Event is the operational director for the tournament.
The most important matches will be televised by Canal de Televisión del Este.
Entrance to see the games is by way of Café Caribe (el barco pirata) in the central El Cortecito-Los Corales area of Bávaro-Punta Cana.
This year, there will be more beach volleyball Norceca tournaments. After the Punta Cana event, another is scheduled for 6-12 October 2019 at the Hamaca Resort in Boca Chica.
https://listindiario.com/el-deporte/2019/09/11/582089/el-norceca-de-voleibol-reunira-a-15-naciones
DR loses to Montserrat, wins against El Salvador in Concacaf tournament
The Dominican team lost a first game 2-1 to Montserrat. Then the Dominican Republic team traveled back home and defeated El Salvador 1-0 in the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf) League of Nations tournament. The team was playing at its home stadium, the Felix Sanchez Stadium in the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center.
Concacaf is under the International Football Federation (FIFA).
https://n.com.do/2019/09/11/republi...-salvador-en-la-liga-de-naciones-de-concacaf/
https://twitter.com/montserrat_fa
https://www.flofc.com/articles/6402316-montserrat-represents-the-magic-of-concacaf-nations-league
https://www.transfermarkt.com/dominican-republic_montserrat/index/spielbericht/3189103
https://concacafnationsleague.com/e...Sn5xcMqetAIEjizoHghoDFocYBK7pz7BoCfRAQAvD_BwE
https://concacafnationsleague.com/en/article/guatemala-spread-the-wealth-in-victory-over-puerto-rico
Medina inaugurates 33rd Asonahores Trade Show
Passport booklets available at the Passport Agency
Senasa + Conape program reaches out to senior citizens
Successful operation of swallowed fake teeth at public hospital
Jose Ignacio Paliza: We are indifferent to who wins the PLD primaries
Gonzalo Castillo is still on payroll as minister of Public Works
Majority of PLD senators back Gonzalo Castillo
César Pérez: Politicians hanging on to their privileges
Supreme Court begins hearings for US$92 million bribes trial
Dominican Laura Jiménez to seek Latin vote for Joe Biden
Cheddy García makes emergency landing in Nassau
New photos of Miss Universe DR: Clauvid Luz Daly
Beach Volleyball Cup in Punta Cana
DR loses to Montserrat, wins against El Salvador in Concacaf tournament
Next DR1 Daily News Update: Monday, 16 September 2019
The next DR1 Daily News update will appear on Monday, 16 September 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
Medina inaugurates 33rd Asonahores Trade Show
President Danilo Medina opened the 33rd National Hotel & Tourism Association (Asonahores) Trade Show in Punta Cana on 11 September 2019. Participating in the opening were Environment Minister Angel Estevez; Attorney General Jean Alain Rodríguez; Archbishop for La Altagracia province Nicanor Peña Rodríguez. Paola Rainieri and Andrés Marranzini gave the opening speeches at the event that is held at the Blue Mall Puntacana in the Puntacana Village.
"This growth and development have not been casual or improvised. Our tourist industry has worked for more than 50 years continuously without rest and overcoming obstacles, to achieve the fastest and most impacting change in the economic history of our country," said Rainieri.
"We open our trade exhibition at a time when our industry has suffered from international battering. If we have achieved the success and the leadership as a result of our efforts, to stay at the top requires greater effort and dedication. We want to maintain what we have done well, to correct the errors that have been committed and remember there cannot be zones of comfort to stay ahead in tourism,” said the president of Asonahores.
She highlighted that most tourists say they will return because of the hospitality and warmth of the people. Furthermore, she said the quality of the hotels, the food, beaches, entertainment, theme parks and airport installations had received good reviews from visitors. She said in recent years, the quality of the highways and communication systems have also ranked well. She said in 2018, net earnings of the global tourism industry reached US$43 billion, of which the Dominican Republic received 14% of the total and 24% in the Caribbean region.
Andrés Marranzini, executive director of Asonahores, said the tradeshow this year in Punta Cana is the largest held in the Dominican Republic.
https://elnuevodiario.com.do/dejan-...ion-de-la-exposicion-comercial-de-asonahores/
Passport booklets available at the Passport Agency
Good news for those who have applied for Dominican passports. A shipment of the booklets has arrived. The Passports Agency says it is delivering the passports in order of applications. Aura Toribio, director of the Passports Agency, said the office will be open until 6pm to get the travel documents to applicants.
She said the passports have a new design and enhanced security level. The passports are now navy blue. Previously Dominican passports were black.
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2019/09...ortes-hoy-comenzaran-a-llamar-a-los-usuarios/
Senasa + Conape program reaches out to senior citizens
Thousands of senior citizens are benefiting from the health plan issued by the National Council for the Elderly (Conape) and the National Health Insurance (Senasa). The director of Conape, Nathalie María and Mercedes Rodríguez Silver of Senasa said the entities are working together to ensure older adults receive comprehensive care in the areas of health, social protection and general welfare.
"SeNaSa takes care of you" is the inter-institutional program that includes activities for the recreation and stimulation of older adults. The new service entitles beneficiaries to medicines and home visits in cases when the elderly are unable to travel. It also covers food supplements and mobility devices such as wheelchairs, canes, crutches, among others.
https://elnacional.com.do/conape-y-senasa-entregan-seguros-medicos-a-decenas-de-adultos-mayores/
Successful operation of swallowed fake teeth at public hospital
Surgeons at the Francisco Moscoso Puello public hospital have given details on the successful outcome of an operation of a 43-year old woman. Bruna Jiménez, from La Romana, had swallowed her dentures after suffering an epileptic seizure.
She was operated two months ago by a team head by Hector Rosario, Carmen Ventura, Gladys Paulino, Ramona Rodríguez, Maribel de la Cruz and Máximo Vásquez of the Francisco Moscoso Puello Hospital. The denture was stuck in the woman’s esophagus for eight days until she was referred from La Romana to the Santo Domingo public hospital.
The operation took three hours. The woman is back to eating all kinds of food. She was hospitalized for one month and was 15 days in the intensive care unit. Her doctors say that only 20% of these cases survive.
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...s-que-sobreviven-a-esos-incidentes-CE14108802
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...er-que-se-la-trago-accidentalmente-AE14103542
Jose Ignacio Paliza: We are indifferent to who wins the PLD primaries
The president of the Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM), José Ignacio Paliza called Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) presidential pre-candidates Leonel Fernández and Gonzalo Castillo “two sons of the same system.” He says it makes no difference for the PRM whoever wins the PLD primary on 6 October 2019.
He said both PLD candidates represent politics over the past 20 years in which the ruling party has not been able to “resolve a single one of the national problems.”
"In the Dominican Republic, blackouts are everywhere, health is a chimera, education is a project, and they do not know how to deal with citizen safety,” said Paliza.
He said the PRM is convinced it will win over the Dominican vote in the 2020 elections because Dominicans are ready to vary the model under which they have been governed.
Paliza was interviewed on El Sol de la Tarde radio talk show by Cristian Jiménez, Consuelo Despradel, Angel Acosta, Elizabeth Mateo and Pedro Jimenez.
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2019/09...sotros-es-indistinto-al-que-sea-le-ganaremos/
Gonzalo Castillo is still on payroll as minister of Public Works
Presidential pre-candidate for the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) Gonzalo Castillo resigned from his position on 5 August 2019. But by law, he is the acting minister of Public Works for at least the next 60 days or until his replacement is named. News reports he is still on the payroll. His base wage is RD$300,000.
As reported in El Nacional, Castillo said that he resigned on 5 August 2019 and has not returned to the Ministry. Castillo made the comments when interviewed on the radio program El Sol de la Mañana.
Fellow PLD pre-candidate Carlos Amarante Baret had accused Castillo of using his influence at the Ministry of Public Works to gain the support of mayors and other municipal officers that depend on the ministry for construction works in their municipalities.
https://elnacional.com.do/gonzalo-continua-como-ministro-op/
Majority of PLD senators back Gonzalo Castillo
22 of 32 senators announced they back the presidential aspirations of Gonzalo Castillo. Likewise, 17 members of the 34-member Political Committee of the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) announced they back Castillo.
Castillo is representing the Danilo Medina faction in the 6 October 2019 primary. His leading contender is former President Leonel Fernández.
Speaking for the senators that back Danilo Medina in the Senate, Rafael Calderón of Azua said that Castillo represents “the best values of the Danilismo.” He said Castillo is a loyal follower of the policies that have been implemented by the Danilo Medina administration.
Also present at the event to back Castillo were: Adriano Sánchez Roa, Elías Piña; Sonia Mateo, Dajabón; Julio César Valentín, Santiago; Winston Guerrero, Peravia (Baní); Amílcar Romero, Duarte (San Francisco de Macorís); Antonio Cruz, Santiago Rodríguez; Luis René Rojas Canaán, Hermanas Mirabal (Salcedo); Euclides Sánchez, La Vega; Rubén Darío Cruz, Hato Mayor; Eddy Mateo Vásquez, Barahona; Manuel Antonio Paula, Baoruco; Tommy Galán, San Cristóbal; Juan Orlando Mercedes Sena, Independencia; Félix Nova, Monseñor Nouel (Bonao); Arístides Victoria Yeb, María Trinidad Sánchez (Nagua); Félix María Vásquez, Sánchez Ramírez (Cotuí) and Cristina Lizardo, Santo Domingo.
Others that say they back Castillo are senators Pedro Alegría, San José de Ocoa; Heinz Vieluf, Montecristi; and Charlie Mariotti, Monte Planta.
https://elnacional.com.do/mayoria-de-senadores-del-pld-dan-apoyo-a-gonzalo-castillo/
https://n.com.do/2019/09/10/el-grueso-de-senadores-danilistas-respaldan-a-gonzalo/
https://hoy.com.do/veintidos-senadores-del-pld-respaldan-precandidatura-de-gonzalo-castillo/
César Pérez: Politicians hanging on to their privileges
Sociologist César Pérez says that Medina followers are intent on modifying the 2015 Constitution to unify municipal, congressional and presidential elections to ensure their privileges continue. Advocates of the constitutional amendment have argued there will be important cost savings if the election is held on the same date.
Pérez blatantly points out that what is at stake are the privileges of politicians and civil servants and their generous pensions after four years in service. He stresses that the shameful discretionary funds available to the legislators, the corruption of the political class and businessmen that grow rich at the expense of taxpayers are what is really behind the interest in constitutional reform.
He explains that the interest in unifying the municipal election with the presidential and congressional elections is a bait to amend the clause that impedes Medina from running for President again. The city elections are scheduled for 16 February 2020 and the presidential and congressional elections for 17 May 2020.
Pérez criticized that key people within the opposition Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) are advocating for constitutional amendment to restore Medina as a political candidate. Former President Hipólito Mejía has backed the rehabilitating of President Danilo Medina so he can again run for President in 2024.
“With its support for this rehabilitation, this Perremeista sector also ignores the generalized feeling against the government for Odebrecht's bribes, corruption and impunity. He recalled the rejection of constitutional reform expressed during the Green March movement marches.
Pérez says that the ambiguous position of the party on this issue of great transcendence and interest for this country “contributes to feed the old and historical prejudices against that party.”
César Cedeño, the national coordinator for the presidential campaign of former President Hipólito Mejía, has said that the rehabilitating of President Danilo Medina “is just a matter of time.” Mejía is competing against Luis Abinader for the PRM presidential nomination in the 6 October 2019 primary.
https://acento.com.do/2019/opinion/8727106-rehabilitacion-unificar-elecciones-e-inconsecuencias/
https://hoy.com.do/rehabilitacion-unificar-elecciones-e-inconsecuencias/
https://hoy.com.do/la-habilitacion-...rma-coordinador-de-campana-de-hipolito-mejia/
Supreme Court begins hearings for US$92 million bribes trial
The trial of those accused of taking US$92 million in bribes from the Brazilian construction company Odebrecht opens at the Supreme Court at 3pm on Thursday, 12 September 2019. The Attorney General Office has charged six men: Ángel Rondón Rijo, Víctor Díaz Rúa, Tommy Galán Grullón, Juan Roberto Rodríguez, Andrés Bautista, Conrado Pittaluga. Investigation judge Francisco Ortega prepared the case. They are accused of bribery, money laundering, illicit enrichment and falsehood for the US$92 million that Odebrecht officers admitted in a US Court to having paid in bribes.
Contrary to other Latin American country prosecutors, the Attorney General Office has based the Dominican case on statements made in Brazil by Odebrecht officers. A recent Alicia Ortega investigative journalism report denounced that the Attorney General Office has done very little to dig up incriminating evidence in the case.
The local case only covers works carried out by Odebrecht through 2014, and excludes the most significant construction work, the thermoelectric coal-fired power plant at Punta Catalina and roadwork carried out under the Medina administration.
The defense counsel for the accused is optimistic these will be cleared for lack of valid evidence presented by the local prosecution officers.
The Dominican case against Odebrecht began in 2016 when Brazilian officers were sentenced in a New York court. There they admitted to having paid US$92 million in bribes to secure contract work in the Dominican Republic. In the first action, the local public prosecutors took action against 14 people. Subsequently, the list of accused was reduced to six.
Opposition deputy Fidel Santana said on Monday, 10 September that the Attorney General Office is covering up for the guilty. "But here, the Public Prosecutor's Office, the Attorney General of the Republic; someone is waiting for something to happen about the Odebrecht investigations? I reiterate, that man (Jean Alain Rodriguez) was put there to cover up for his bosses, who are the main responsible. Nothing is going to happen," said the congressman.
The 16 judges of the Supreme Court will hear the case because among the accused is a senator who has privileged jurisdiction. Diario Libre reports the case could take a year and a half to conclude.
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...nico-juicio-odebrecht-quien-ganara-FE14104573
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...-caso-odebrecht-este-12-septiembre-PG14034319
https://eldia.com.do/angel-rondon-cita-26-diputados-a-juicio-caso-odebrecht/
https://hoy.com.do/f-santana-cree-mp-encubre-culpables-en-caso-odebrecht/
https://n.com.do/2019/09/10/diputad...-fondo-odebrecht-tras-ser-citados-por-la-scj/
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...&utm_medium= relacionada&utm_campaign=related
https://eldia.com.do/quien-es-quien-en-el-juicio-de-odebrecht-en-la-republica-dominicana/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcIelgrwTgE -- Alicia Ortega special report from Brazil
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...odria-tardar-mas-de-un-ano-y-medio-LE14109727
Dominican Laura Jiménez to seek Latin vote for Joe Biden
US Democratic Party pre-candidate Joe Biden named Dominican-American Laura Jiménez to be his Latinx National Vote Director. She is part of six senior staff members named to focus on attracting women and minority voters.
Laura Jiménez is the daughter of El Sol de la Tarde radio talk show host Cristian Jiménez and Vilma Pimentel. A graduate of Florida Atlantic University in political science, she has lived most of her life in the United States. She was active in the national presidential campaign of Hillary Clinton and Florida gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum. She also worked for Florida state senator José Javier Rodríguez as his chief of cabinet.
The Biden staff members are entrusted with rebuilding the diverse coalition that took Barack Obama to power in 2008.
Others hired are:
Amit Jani is Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) National Vote Director.
Carissa Smith is Women's National Vote Director.
Erika Dinkel-Smith is Director of Labor Engagement.
Trey Baker National is Director of African American Engagement.
Vincent Evans is Southern Political Director.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...-de-campana-del-voto-latino-en-estados-unidos
https://www.axios.com/joe-biden-cam...ers-61a39ac0-976f-4d09-bb5d-1f17f9c44e9a.html
https://n.com.do/2019/09/11/joe-bid...ir-campana-del-voto-latino-en-estados-unidos/
Cheddy García makes emergency landing in Nassau
Popular comedian Cheddy García reported on Wednesday, 11 September that she was a passenger on JetBlue flight B6-1706 to Orlando, Florida that had to make an emergency landing in Nassau, Bahamas. She was traveling with her two children. In a video posted on Instagram, she shared how a fire on board when the flight was in mid-flight caused the change of destination. “Thank you, God, we managed to get to Nassau!,” she wrote. In the video, frightened passengers can be seen.
El Dia reported around 100 passengers were on the flight that had departed at 8:38am from Las Americas International Airport. The flight landed at Lyden Pindling International Airport in Nassau at 10:17am.
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2019/09...ba-cheddy-y-sus-hijos-aterriza-de-emergencia/
https://eldia.com.do/salio-de-rd-avion-que-aterrizo-de-emergencia-en-bahamas/
New photos of Miss Universe DR: Clauvid Luz Daly
18-year old Clauvid Luz Daly has posted new photos online. She is the Dominican representative to the 68th edition of the Miss Universe pageant.
She is a Dominican-American. She was born in the United States but has lived most of her life in Punta Cana. She represented Punta Cana in the Miss Universe contest. Miss Universe 2019 will take place in Seoul, South Korea.
https://www.diariolibre.com/revista...es-sociales-con-nuevas-fotografias-AN14082929
Beach Volleyball Cup in Punta Cana
Top volleyball players are coming for the regional beach volleyball tournament at the Punta Cana’s Los Corales Beach. The North America, Central & Caribbean (Norceca) Beach Volleyball Circuit will take place from 12-16 September 2019. Eleven women’s pairs and 14 men’s duos are in Punta Cana to represent 15 countries. Competitions start on 13 September and continue through 15 September.
Anguilla, Canada, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Nicaragua, Trinidad & Tobago and United States will place teams in both genders. Curacao, Guatemala, Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands will have only female teams while Bahamas, St Lucia and St Vincent & Grenadines will play only in the men’s segment. The Dominican Republic, St Lucia and St Vincent & Grenadines will field two men’s teams each.
Ernesto Veloz, of the Punta Cana Hotels and Tourism Development Association, is the head of the organizing committee. Amos Anglade of AA Marketing Sport Event is the operational director for the tournament.
The most important matches will be televised by Canal de Televisión del Este.
Entrance to see the games is by way of Café Caribe (el barco pirata) in the central El Cortecito-Los Corales area of Bávaro-Punta Cana.
This year, there will be more beach volleyball Norceca tournaments. After the Punta Cana event, another is scheduled for 6-12 October 2019 at the Hamaca Resort in Boca Chica.
https://listindiario.com/el-deporte/2019/09/11/582089/el-norceca-de-voleibol-reunira-a-15-naciones
DR loses to Montserrat, wins against El Salvador in Concacaf tournament
The Dominican team lost a first game 2-1 to Montserrat. Then the Dominican Republic team traveled back home and defeated El Salvador 1-0 in the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (Concacaf) League of Nations tournament. The team was playing at its home stadium, the Felix Sanchez Stadium in the Juan Pablo Duarte Olympic Center.
Concacaf is under the International Football Federation (FIFA).
https://n.com.do/2019/09/11/republi...-salvador-en-la-liga-de-naciones-de-concacaf/
https://twitter.com/montserrat_fa
https://www.flofc.com/articles/6402316-montserrat-represents-the-magic-of-concacaf-nations-league
https://www.transfermarkt.com/dominican-republic_montserrat/index/spielbericht/3189103
https://concacafnationsleague.com/e...Sn5xcMqetAIEjizoHghoDFocYBK7pz7BoCfRAQAvD_BwE
https://concacafnationsleague.com/en/article/guatemala-spread-the-wealth-in-victory-over-puerto-rico