Next DR1 Daily News Update: Monday, 18 November 2019
Dominicans can now travel visa-free to six Asian countries
Felipe López Calva of UNDP visits for social policies conference
Opposition against proposed Complementary National Budget Bill
JCE announces it will audit 30% of voting machines used for 6 October primary
Vice President Margarita Cedeño speaks out to favor automated voting
Rosario Espinal supports automated voting, calls for better oversight
ANJE on Elections: The Time is Right to Demand a Transparent Process
Waldo Ariel Suero is back at Dominican Medical Guild
March to protest violence against women
Installing a Chinese surveillance system at the UASD?
Mapping transport routes in Santiago
Cash is still used for 87% of payments in the Dominican Republic
Construction site explosion kills three, injures four
SFM court sentences businessman to 15 years for sexual abuse of child
Pedro Martínez autobiography now has a Spanish edition for sale
Italian Cuisine Week in the Dominican Republic
Pavel Núñez and Big Band at the Jaragua
Diomary La Mala at Meridien Events Center
Next DR1 Daily News Update: Monday, 18 November 2019
The next DR1 Daily News update will be published on Monday, 18 November 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
Dominicans can now travel visa-free to six Asian countries
Foreign Minister Miguel Vargas announced that Dominican citizens can now go for leisure to the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Laos without a visa. He said Dominicans are now eligible to apply online for an e-visa to visit Laos, Sri Lanka and Cambodia.
The minister said that there are talks for another 12 proposals to enable visa-free travel abroad for ordinary Dominican passport-holders to other countries in Asia and Latin America.
"This good news contributes to strengthening friendly relations and cooperation among our countries, based on trust and solidarity," said Vargas. He said the aim is to stimulate higher economic growth and development and the welfare of the inhabitants of both countries.
The announcement comes at the close of the Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC) that took place in Santo Domingo last week. FEALAC is an interregional cooperative organization composed of 36 states (16 from Asia and 20 from Latin America) that aim to increase dialogue, cooperation and bi-regional understanding.
http://www.mirex.gob.do/medios/noti...-visa-y-a-sri-lanka-laos-y-camboya-con-e-visa
Felipe López Calva of UNDP visits for social policies conference
President Danilo Medina received Luis Felipe Calva, regional director for Latin America and the Caribbean of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), at the Presidential Palace. Present for the meeting was Vice President Margarita Cedeño and the resident coordinator of the United Nations (UN) in the country, Mauricio Ramirez.
Calva came to participate in the International Forum on Innovation for Sustainable Development: A New Generation of Social Policies, an event set for 13-14 November 2019 at the Hotel El Embajador in Santo Domingo. The event is coordinated by the Vice Presidency of the Republic. It aims to find tools that contribute to improve the living conditions of more than 850,000 families that benefit from government social programs.
Cedeño was recognized by UNDP for innovation and transparency in the poverty reduction programs under her responsibility.
https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias...-regional-para-america-latina-y-el-caribe-del
Opposition against proposed Complementary National Budget Bill
It used to be easy. The Presidency sent the Complementary National Budget Bill to Congress and the PLD-majority Chamber of Deputies and Senate would rubberstamp whatever the Executive Branch had decided. Now, with the split of legislators loyal to former President Leonel Fernández, and the polls showing the opposition party Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) ahead in the campaign for 2020 elections, things are different in Congress. The Medina administration does not have all the needed votes to get its wishes immediately.
Now opposition legislators say the bill needs to be modified in the name of better reflecting the public interest.
On Tuesday, the president of the Chamber of Deputies, PLD deputy Radhamés Camacho announced he was sending the Complementary National Budget Bill 2019 to a special committee.
Explaining the PRM position on the La Cuestión radio talk show on La Super 7 (107.7FM) on 13 November 2019, economist Andrés Astacio said that the bill is irregular. He said the complementary budget initially was created so the government could decide how to the use surplusses. Over the years, the supplementary budget became a mechanism for reshuffling resources among government departments when there was a deficit.
Astacio said on the radio program that the government should instead be reducing spending. He said PRM legislators do not agree with the transferring of resources allocated to pay works contracted by the Ministry of Public Works and Office of Supervisory Engineers of the Presidency (OISOE).
Astacio said the government is also asking for approval for an increase in government debt to pay US$1.7 billion to providers to government power distribution companies and power generators. He criticized that has drafted the bill relieves Congress from its responsibility of sanctioning the loans.
Astacio insists the government could cut spending. He said, for instance, that government savings could come from eliminating 57 redundant government entities.
https://hoy.com.do/cambios-a-presupuesto-2019-iran-a-una-comision-especial/
JCE announces it will audit 30% of voting machines used for 6 October primary
Central Electoral Board (JCE) approved that the audit by Deloitte Costa Rica of the automated voting system be increased to 30%, up from 5%.
Miguel Ángel García, director of Information Technology at the JCE, announced a meeting of JCE officers with representatives of political parties that have registered candidates for the 2020 elections.
The JCE said that 30% means 2,212 of the automated voting equipment used in the last simultaneous primary elections in which the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) and the Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) will be audited.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...30-por-ciento-de-equipos-de-voto-automatizado
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...ta-presenta-plan-de-trabajo-auditoria-forense
https://hoy.com.do/jce-decide-auditar-el-30-de-los-equipos-usados-en-las-primarias/
Vice President Margarita Cedeño speaks out to favor automated voting
Vice President Margarita Cedeño supports automated voting and efforts to strengthen the credibility of the Central Electoral Board (JCE). The Vice President had backed her husband, former President Leonel Fernández, in his aspirations for a fourth term in government. Fernández lost to the candidate backed by President Medina, Gonzalo Castillo. Fernández claims he lost due to fraud. He broke away from the ruling Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) to seek a merger with the Dominican Labor Party (PTD) to create the La Fuerza del Pueblo (The People’s Force), announcing he would be the new party's presidential candidate in the 2020 election. The JCE has yet to rule on whether Fernández can run for that party.
Fernández has requested the government conduct a forensic audit of the automated voting system. He also asked that the Organization of American States, European Union, and United States government participate in the forensic audit. Fernández has disputed the use of the automated voting system in the upcoming elections, arguing that the pilot test failed.
The JCE announced the contracting of Deloitte Costa Rica. Local news reports say the company has ties with José Luis de Ramón and his Deloitte & Touche, the Dominican affiliate to Deloitte. De Ramón is described as a major advisor to the government.
After Fernández split from the PLD, Cedeño chose to stay within the party. She is now backing the candidacy of Gonzalo Castillo.
In a video, Cedeño said she supports the use of the automated voting system in the upcoming municipal, congressional and presidential elections set for 2020. She says the computerized voting system is a step forward for Dominican democracy.
"We are very much in agreement with automated voting and that 100% of the physical ballots be counted to confirm the vote count so that we can continue to modernize and advance in this digital era," said Cedeño, who is a member of the Political Committee of the ruling party.
She called for the strengthening of the credibility of the JCE among the population and that the next elections be held in a transparent and secure manner.
"We must be able to satisfy the concerns that exist in some parties so that confidence in the institutionalism of the JCE is strengthened and we can continue to exercise this democracy freely, voluntarily, independently and increasingly strong," she stated.
https://n.com.do/2019/11/13/margarita-favorece-voto-automatizado-y-fortalecer-confianza-en-jce/
https://z101digital.com/margarita-sobre-volver-al-conteo-manual-en-el-2020-seria-muy-complicado/
Rosario Espinal supports automated voting, calls for better oversight
Political analyst Rosario Espinal is in favor of keeping the automated voting system for the 2020 general elections. The municipal elections are scheduled for 16 February 2020, the congressional and presidential elections for 17 May 2020.
Writing for Hoy and Acento media, she remarked that "political party leaders know very well that any voting system carries risks for candidates and that the probability of fraud is greater with paper ballots than with automated proof. "
She wrote: "This is for three reasons: 1) all the frauds committed in the past were done with paper ballots (computers were used for the first time in these primaries and fewer candidates protested the outcome); 2) the large number of municipal election candidacies (2,292 elective posts)." She says that when counting manually, "whoever doesn't keep eyes on the counting stands to lose." And, 3) in these elections, for the first time, there will be preferential voting for the election of district governors and members (1,899 candidates), which lends itself to greater manipulation in a manual count."
She observes that the Central Electoral Board (JCE) is accused in social media of being an accomplice of the politicians in the past 6 October 2019 primary, and its credibility is affected.
"Given the controversy that has arisen over the use of automated voting, it is important that all party representatives be publicly involved in the decision whether or not to use it in the 2020 elections, so that the decision is the result of a compromise and no one can claim later that they did not agree," she writes. She recommends that the discussion be held openly in front of the media.
"Any voting system, be it with paper ballots or one that is automated, needs strict auditing and vigilance. The JCE must be open to party oversight and expert auditing. But at the same time, the parties cannot sully the JCE's credibility simply to manipulate the results in their favor. A balance sheet is needed to move forward."
A feature in Diario Libre mentions that the Dominican government has spent more than RD$2.7 billion in automated voting exercises for the 2016 and 2018 elections.
https://acento.com.do/2019/opinion/8750267-jce-buena-decision/
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...millones-y-partidos-no-la-aprueban-BB15273992
ANJE on Elections: The Time is Right to Demand a Transparent Process
Radhamés Martínez, president of the National Association of Young Entrepreneurs (ANJE), urged that there be transparency in the upcoming election process.
"The time is right for us as a society to demand that it be a transparent process," he told Z Digital on Wednesday, 13 November 2019 within the framework of the Unilever Forum: Sustainable Business.
He described the current situation as interesting and complicated. He noted that constitutionality of the new Political Parties and Groupings Law and the Electoral System Law is currently challenged in the Constitutional Court.
Martínez said: "At ANJE we understand that the electoral authorities should be left to do their work, the strong business has continued its pace. Any measure to strengthen, give more credibility to the process for the year 2020, is welcome," he said.
"What we have to strive for as citizens, as a business sector and also on the part of political players, is for a climate of prudence, patience and respect," he stressed.
https://z101digital.com/anje-sobre-...oportuno-para-exigir-un-proceso-transparente/
Waldo Ariel Suero is back at Dominican Medical Guild
Best known as an organizer of physician strikes at public hospitals, Dr. Waldo Ariel Suero was elected to head the Dominican Medical Guild (CMD) again. This will be his fifth non-consecutive term at the CMD. He won with 70% of the vote. Suero said that he is open to talks with the government but will not give in to dilatory tactics.
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...o-advierte-que-no-se-dejara-marear-DH15306360
https://eldia.com.do/waldo-ariel-gana-presidencia-del-cmd/
March to protest violence against women
Commemorating the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, Dominican pro-women organizations are promoting a protest walk from the Mirador del Sur Park to the Centro de los Heroes down Jiménez de Moya Avenue. This is a route similar to that used by the Green March for many of its successful anti-corruption marches.
The protest walk is set for Sunday, 24 November starting at 9 am. The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women falls on Monday, 25 November 2019. The United Nations declared day honors the three Dominican Mirabal sisters that were murdered during the Trujillo regime.
The march is named "Marcha de las Mariposas Contra la Violencia" and the theme is "Not One More" (Ni una mas).
Carolina Mejía, secretary of the opposition Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM), announced that the party backs the protest.
The protest comes at a time when femicides are high on the radar of Dominicans. El Dia newspaper reported on Wednesday 13 November 2019, that 10 women had been recently killed by their spouses in less than a month. Another report in the same newspaper on 14 November says that it is time for a change in the way government is handling the situation.
https://n.com.do/2019/11/13/prm-apoya-iniciativa-contra-la-violencia-a-la-mujer/
https://hoy.com.do/prm-participara-y-exhorta-a-respaldar-marcha-contra-la-violencia-a-las-mujeres/
https://eldia.com.do/diez-mujeres-han-sido-ultimadas-por-parejas-en-tan-solo-un-mes/
https://eldia.com.do/la-muerte-de-65-mujeres-obliga-a-reorientar-politicas-sobre-genero/
Installing a Chinese surveillance system at the UASD?
US Senator Marco Rubio posted a tweet on 13 November 2019 where he says that the Dominican Republic has plans to install a China "safe city" surveillance system that uses facial recognition and captures license plates to make this data available to the Chinese government. Rubio claims the system is already being tested at the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD) public university. The senator for Florida expressed his disappointment regarding the implementation of the Chinese surveillance technology.
The UASD subsequently confirmed they are negotiating the purchase of a surveillance system for the Santo Domingo campus “for the safety of the students”. The university said that there is no set date for its installation, nor did the university name the contractor or the brand of the equipment.
The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Dominican Republic issued a note on Wednesday, 13 November 2019, rejecting the statement by the US senator. "We express our firm rejection of these unjustified accusations and the attempt to undermine friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation between China and the Dominican Republic. We hope that the government and the Dominican people will be alerted to these dark intentions. Maintaining urban security is a common challenge facing the countries of the world," reads the Chinese Embassy statement.
The Embassy states: "In the process of development, China has accumulated rich experience in the field of emergency response and public safety and has advanced technologies, which have improved the sense of security and quality of life of the Chinese people. Cooperation between China and Latin America and the Caribbean is a voluntary act on both sides and an irreversible historical trend. If someone like Marco Rubio is disappointed with this, then we believe he will not only be disappointed again and again, but will end up completely desperate."
As reported in El Nuevo Herald of Miami, during a Friday, 8 November 2019 meeting with President Danilo Medina at the Presidential Palace in Santo Domingo, the commander of U.S. Southern Command, Navy Admiral Craig Faller has said: "They [the Dominican government] are committed to maintaining their relationship with the United States as a matter of priority. They assured me that they understand the information technology and cybernetic risks associated with China and that they are not willing to sacrifice the trust and professionalism of the alliance they have created with us for those risks," Faller said.
In addition to President Medina, also present for the meeting with Admiral Faller were Defense Minister Rubén Darío Paulino Sem; Minister of the Presidency Gustavo Montalvo, and Flavio Darío Espinal, legal advisor to the Executive Branch.
In the Dominican Republic, Faller met with other high-ranking military officials. He concluded his visit with a tour of the Center for Emergency Operations (COE). The US Southern Command had donated the facility in 2001, and since then authorities have modernized it to better respond to hurricanes and earthquakes.
https://n.com.do/2019/11/13/senador...equipos-de-reconocimiento-facial-chino-en-rd/
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...as-declaraciones-del-senador-rubio-JH15307853
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...riesgos-de-uso-de-tecnologia-china-BP15295589
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...cion-de-sistema-de-videovigilancia-LH15302559
https://www.elnuevoherald.com/noticias/mundo/america-latina/article237290544.html
https://www.southcom.mil/News/Press...nference-in-miami-with-canada-european-partn/
Mapping transport routes in Santiago
The city of Santiago becomes the first Dominican city partaking in the smart city solution that is now part of Google Maps. Students from the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM), UASD, UTESA and UNEV in Santiago were trained to develop the route map. Transport operators and users, and organizations of groups of people with disabilities, together with the Santiago municipal authorities and power distribution company workers, participated in the mapping of Santiago de los Caballeros for Google Maps.
The information is part of the platform, DATUM, that provides detailed information on29 popular city routes and 25 urban and six interurban transport routes. The teams recorded geo-referenced data of the routes and their stops to be included in the app.
The community mapping of urban infrastructure effort is part of an international effort of the partners – the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), World Resources Institute (WRI) Mexico, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Columbia University and Mastercard – that created DATUM, described as a platform that acts as a guide for collecting, processing and publicizing urban mobility data. DATUM is the Spanish acronym for Open Urban Transport and Mobility Data. As explained, it conveys clear information on transportation routes and schedules that was not available previously in one source. Today, residents, businessmen and leisure travelers have had to rely on "word of mouth" to get around.
https://listindiario.com/economia/2...go-primera-urbe-del-caribe-con-mapa-de-ciudad
https://www.smartcity.press/google-map-features/
https://blogs.iadb.org/ciudades-sos...pping-dominican-republic-santiago-caballeros/
Cash is still used for 87% of payments in the Dominican Republic
Luis Bencosme, executive president for CardNet, says "the world is transforming," but the Dominican Republic is still mostly a cash-based society. CardNet is a leading electronic payment system. He spoke during the past ClaroTec on the future of payment methods.
Bencosme said that the use of checks has stagnated. In the country that has a population of around 10 million people, at least three million people have credit cards and 4.8 million debit cards. He said payrolls are paid through accounts linked to employee debit cards.
Likewise, he said thousands among the poor have begun to enjoy the means of electronic payments through the government welfare program “Progressing with Solidarity” under the Vice Presidency of the Republic. "The way they receive the subsidies is with prepaid cards and there are 1.2 million of them in the hands of the public," he said.
CardNet is introducing contactless payments. "I would tell you that 95% of points of sale (POS) or “verifones” use or are already prepared to accept contactless payments. The issue is that all banks have not yet issued the contactless cards," he explained. Bencosme forecast that in three years' time the entire country will be able to enjoy this form of payment.
The CardNet executive maintained that the country lags in electronic commerce. But he said this is the norm for the region. "If you add up all of Latin America, only 2.6% of the transactions that occur in retail consumption are done in e-commerce," he said.
Bencosme said that payment schemes require authentication mechanisms that the industry has not had until recently and this has hindered progress in this area. Nevertheless, he said cell phone payment schemes are gradually gaining acceptance locally. One is MONI, an application that allows you to pay using your cell phone in establishments affiliated to CardNET.
https://www.eldinero.com.do/93125/en-el-87-de-los-pagos-en-rd-se-usa-efectivo/
Construction site explosion kills three, injures four
Three bodies were recovered at a residential tower under construction in the Evaristo Morales neighborhood in the National District. National District Fire Department chief Jose Luis Herasme said that the bodies of two workers were reported missing and their bodies found soon after the explosion. A third corpse was found later under the rubble.
The explosion occurred around 10 pm on Tuesday, 12 November 2019 at the building located on Emiliano Tardiff street. Four others were wounded of the seven men, mostly Haitians that were at the construction site that evening, as reported in the media.
The deceased have been identified as Dominicans Rafael Alberto Celestino Hernández and Jean Luis Andújar García and Haitian national Pierre Jean Chenelel. The corpses were sent to the National Institute of Forensic Sciences (INACIF) for autopsies.
The four wounded were taken to the burn unit at the Ney Arias Lora Trauma Center in Santo Domingo. Reports are that they had burn wounds on 9 to 24% of their bodies. They were identified by the hospital as 34-year old Robert Pol, 38-year old Esmerlin Andujar García, 34-year old Frisne Exavier, and 37-year old Bufet Moneli.
Fire chief Herasme has called the explosion a deflagration, or a fire in which a flame travels rapidly through a gas. The causes have yet to be determined. The surviving workers said that at the time of the explosion, the men were painting inside a water cistern.
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...-torre-del-sector-evaristo-morales-HP15290557
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...as-entre-nueve-y-24-por-ciento-en-sus-cuerpos
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...rrida-en-la-construccion-del-evaristo-morales
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2019/11...os-en-explosion-en-torre-de-evaristo-morales/
SFM court sentences businessman to 15 years for sexual abuse of child
The Attorney General Office reports that the Second Collegiate Court of Duarte province sentenced businessman Diógenes Ferreira to 15 years in prison. He was found guilty of sexually abusing a female minor in the northeastern city of San Francisco de Macorís.
He was sentenced for violating the Dominican Criminal Code, modified by Law No. 24-97 on Gender and Domestic Violence, the Code for the Protection and Fundamental Rights of Children and Adolescents (Law No. 136-03) and Law No. 631-16 on Arms, Ammunition and Related Materials.
The case file established that the convicted man had brought the victim several times to a farm owned by him. He bought her a cell phone so that they could communicate. The investigation revealed the victim was sexually abused by the man since she was 10 years old.
The magistrates Massiel Sánchez and Gladys Germán, after the denunciation, initiated the local investigations and after obtaining the corresponding evidence the Public Ministry proceeded to request the corresponding arrest warrant against the accused.
The file indicates that the man attempted suicide when the Police went to arrest him. He was ordered to serve his sentence in the Vista al Valle Jail of San Francisco de Macorís.
https://n.com.do/2019/11/13/tribuna...sario-a-15-anos-por-abuso-sexual-a-una-menor/
https://elnuevodiario.com.do/dictan...-acusado-de-abuso-sexual-contra-menor-en-sfm/
Pedro Martínez's autobiography now has a Spanish edition for sale
Dominican Cooperstown Hall of Fame member and legendary pitcher Pedro Martinez released the Spanish version of his book, "Pedro, La Historia de Mi Vida" on Thursday, 7 November 2019 in Florida. The activity was a fund-raiser and the profits of the sale of the books will go to the children's nonprofit led by his wife, Carolina Cruz. The book, "Pedro" was originally published in 2016 in English.
https://listindiario.com/el-deporte/2019/11/13/591252/presentan-la-autobiografia-de-pedro-martinez
https://www.amazon.com/Pedro-histor...artinez+++Autobiography&qid=1573668304&sr=8-2
https://www.amazon.com/Pedro-Martin...artinez+++Autobiography&qid=1573668358&sr=8-1
Italian Cuisine Week in the Dominican Republic
The Italian-Dominican Chamber of Commerce announced the 4th Italian Cuisine Week in the World would take place from 18 to 24 November 2019 in 55 countries, including the Dominican Republic. For the event, over a thousand events are organized worldwide, coordinated by the around 300 Italian diplomatic and consular headquarters and Italian cultural institutes.
In the Dominican Republic, several local Italian food restaurants will be participating in the Dominican version. These are Borbone di Napoli, Trattoria Pizzarelli, Cappuccino, La Locanda, Il Caminetto, La Briciola, Sega Zona, Ristorante Angelo, La Marina, Martini Trattoria, Il Bacaretto, Botega Fratelli and Dolce Italia. Scheduled for Tuesday, 19 November is an Italian wine tasting, at 6:30pm at El Catador.
The Dominican Italian Chamber of Commerce says that trade is more than US$500 million a year between both countries.
The Italian Cuisine Week aims to promote Italy’s agri-food industry and the tradition of high-quality food and wine that is so central to the Italian identity and culture.
Pavel Núñez and Big Band at the Jaragua
Contemporary Dominican singer Pavel Núñez presents “Oratoria Mode” his recent concert together with the Pavel Núñez Big Band at the Teatro La Fiesta of the Jaragua Renaissance on the Malecón in Santo Domingo. Saturday, 16 November at 9pm. This is a presentation by Vibra Productions.
Tickets range from RD$1,500 to RD$4,500 online at Uepa Tickets, or at the Jumbo stores, Supermercados Nacional, and CCN Servicios, or at the Jaragua box office.
Diomary La Mala at Meridien Events Center
Romantic singer Diomary La Mala presents her concert “Intimo” at the Meridien Events Center on Av. Rómulo Betancourt in Santo Domingo. The show is set for Monday, 18 November 2019 as of 9pm. General admission is RD$1,300. Tickets are for sale at Uepa Tickets online or at the Meridien.
Dominicans can now travel visa-free to six Asian countries
Felipe López Calva of UNDP visits for social policies conference
Opposition against proposed Complementary National Budget Bill
JCE announces it will audit 30% of voting machines used for 6 October primary
Vice President Margarita Cedeño speaks out to favor automated voting
Rosario Espinal supports automated voting, calls for better oversight
ANJE on Elections: The Time is Right to Demand a Transparent Process
Waldo Ariel Suero is back at Dominican Medical Guild
March to protest violence against women
Installing a Chinese surveillance system at the UASD?
Mapping transport routes in Santiago
Cash is still used for 87% of payments in the Dominican Republic
Construction site explosion kills three, injures four
SFM court sentences businessman to 15 years for sexual abuse of child
Pedro Martínez autobiography now has a Spanish edition for sale
Italian Cuisine Week in the Dominican Republic
Pavel Núñez and Big Band at the Jaragua
Diomary La Mala at Meridien Events Center
Next DR1 Daily News Update: Monday, 18 November 2019
The next DR1 Daily News update will be published on Monday, 18 November 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
Dominicans can now travel visa-free to six Asian countries
Foreign Minister Miguel Vargas announced that Dominican citizens can now go for leisure to the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Laos without a visa. He said Dominicans are now eligible to apply online for an e-visa to visit Laos, Sri Lanka and Cambodia.
The minister said that there are talks for another 12 proposals to enable visa-free travel abroad for ordinary Dominican passport-holders to other countries in Asia and Latin America.
"This good news contributes to strengthening friendly relations and cooperation among our countries, based on trust and solidarity," said Vargas. He said the aim is to stimulate higher economic growth and development and the welfare of the inhabitants of both countries.
The announcement comes at the close of the Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC) that took place in Santo Domingo last week. FEALAC is an interregional cooperative organization composed of 36 states (16 from Asia and 20 from Latin America) that aim to increase dialogue, cooperation and bi-regional understanding.
http://www.mirex.gob.do/medios/noti...-visa-y-a-sri-lanka-laos-y-camboya-con-e-visa
Felipe López Calva of UNDP visits for social policies conference
President Danilo Medina received Luis Felipe Calva, regional director for Latin America and the Caribbean of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), at the Presidential Palace. Present for the meeting was Vice President Margarita Cedeño and the resident coordinator of the United Nations (UN) in the country, Mauricio Ramirez.
Calva came to participate in the International Forum on Innovation for Sustainable Development: A New Generation of Social Policies, an event set for 13-14 November 2019 at the Hotel El Embajador in Santo Domingo. The event is coordinated by the Vice Presidency of the Republic. It aims to find tools that contribute to improve the living conditions of more than 850,000 families that benefit from government social programs.
Cedeño was recognized by UNDP for innovation and transparency in the poverty reduction programs under her responsibility.
https://presidencia.gob.do/noticias...-regional-para-america-latina-y-el-caribe-del
Opposition against proposed Complementary National Budget Bill
It used to be easy. The Presidency sent the Complementary National Budget Bill to Congress and the PLD-majority Chamber of Deputies and Senate would rubberstamp whatever the Executive Branch had decided. Now, with the split of legislators loyal to former President Leonel Fernández, and the polls showing the opposition party Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) ahead in the campaign for 2020 elections, things are different in Congress. The Medina administration does not have all the needed votes to get its wishes immediately.
Now opposition legislators say the bill needs to be modified in the name of better reflecting the public interest.
On Tuesday, the president of the Chamber of Deputies, PLD deputy Radhamés Camacho announced he was sending the Complementary National Budget Bill 2019 to a special committee.
Explaining the PRM position on the La Cuestión radio talk show on La Super 7 (107.7FM) on 13 November 2019, economist Andrés Astacio said that the bill is irregular. He said the complementary budget initially was created so the government could decide how to the use surplusses. Over the years, the supplementary budget became a mechanism for reshuffling resources among government departments when there was a deficit.
Astacio said on the radio program that the government should instead be reducing spending. He said PRM legislators do not agree with the transferring of resources allocated to pay works contracted by the Ministry of Public Works and Office of Supervisory Engineers of the Presidency (OISOE).
Astacio said the government is also asking for approval for an increase in government debt to pay US$1.7 billion to providers to government power distribution companies and power generators. He criticized that has drafted the bill relieves Congress from its responsibility of sanctioning the loans.
Astacio insists the government could cut spending. He said, for instance, that government savings could come from eliminating 57 redundant government entities.
https://hoy.com.do/cambios-a-presupuesto-2019-iran-a-una-comision-especial/
JCE announces it will audit 30% of voting machines used for 6 October primary
Central Electoral Board (JCE) approved that the audit by Deloitte Costa Rica of the automated voting system be increased to 30%, up from 5%.
Miguel Ángel García, director of Information Technology at the JCE, announced a meeting of JCE officers with representatives of political parties that have registered candidates for the 2020 elections.
The JCE said that 30% means 2,212 of the automated voting equipment used in the last simultaneous primary elections in which the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) and the Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM) will be audited.
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...30-por-ciento-de-equipos-de-voto-automatizado
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...ta-presenta-plan-de-trabajo-auditoria-forense
https://hoy.com.do/jce-decide-auditar-el-30-de-los-equipos-usados-en-las-primarias/
Vice President Margarita Cedeño speaks out to favor automated voting
Vice President Margarita Cedeño supports automated voting and efforts to strengthen the credibility of the Central Electoral Board (JCE). The Vice President had backed her husband, former President Leonel Fernández, in his aspirations for a fourth term in government. Fernández lost to the candidate backed by President Medina, Gonzalo Castillo. Fernández claims he lost due to fraud. He broke away from the ruling Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) to seek a merger with the Dominican Labor Party (PTD) to create the La Fuerza del Pueblo (The People’s Force), announcing he would be the new party's presidential candidate in the 2020 election. The JCE has yet to rule on whether Fernández can run for that party.
Fernández has requested the government conduct a forensic audit of the automated voting system. He also asked that the Organization of American States, European Union, and United States government participate in the forensic audit. Fernández has disputed the use of the automated voting system in the upcoming elections, arguing that the pilot test failed.
The JCE announced the contracting of Deloitte Costa Rica. Local news reports say the company has ties with José Luis de Ramón and his Deloitte & Touche, the Dominican affiliate to Deloitte. De Ramón is described as a major advisor to the government.
After Fernández split from the PLD, Cedeño chose to stay within the party. She is now backing the candidacy of Gonzalo Castillo.
In a video, Cedeño said she supports the use of the automated voting system in the upcoming municipal, congressional and presidential elections set for 2020. She says the computerized voting system is a step forward for Dominican democracy.
"We are very much in agreement with automated voting and that 100% of the physical ballots be counted to confirm the vote count so that we can continue to modernize and advance in this digital era," said Cedeño, who is a member of the Political Committee of the ruling party.
She called for the strengthening of the credibility of the JCE among the population and that the next elections be held in a transparent and secure manner.
"We must be able to satisfy the concerns that exist in some parties so that confidence in the institutionalism of the JCE is strengthened and we can continue to exercise this democracy freely, voluntarily, independently and increasingly strong," she stated.
https://n.com.do/2019/11/13/margarita-favorece-voto-automatizado-y-fortalecer-confianza-en-jce/
https://z101digital.com/margarita-sobre-volver-al-conteo-manual-en-el-2020-seria-muy-complicado/
Rosario Espinal supports automated voting, calls for better oversight
Political analyst Rosario Espinal is in favor of keeping the automated voting system for the 2020 general elections. The municipal elections are scheduled for 16 February 2020, the congressional and presidential elections for 17 May 2020.
Writing for Hoy and Acento media, she remarked that "political party leaders know very well that any voting system carries risks for candidates and that the probability of fraud is greater with paper ballots than with automated proof. "
She wrote: "This is for three reasons: 1) all the frauds committed in the past were done with paper ballots (computers were used for the first time in these primaries and fewer candidates protested the outcome); 2) the large number of municipal election candidacies (2,292 elective posts)." She says that when counting manually, "whoever doesn't keep eyes on the counting stands to lose." And, 3) in these elections, for the first time, there will be preferential voting for the election of district governors and members (1,899 candidates), which lends itself to greater manipulation in a manual count."
She observes that the Central Electoral Board (JCE) is accused in social media of being an accomplice of the politicians in the past 6 October 2019 primary, and its credibility is affected.
"Given the controversy that has arisen over the use of automated voting, it is important that all party representatives be publicly involved in the decision whether or not to use it in the 2020 elections, so that the decision is the result of a compromise and no one can claim later that they did not agree," she writes. She recommends that the discussion be held openly in front of the media.
"Any voting system, be it with paper ballots or one that is automated, needs strict auditing and vigilance. The JCE must be open to party oversight and expert auditing. But at the same time, the parties cannot sully the JCE's credibility simply to manipulate the results in their favor. A balance sheet is needed to move forward."
A feature in Diario Libre mentions that the Dominican government has spent more than RD$2.7 billion in automated voting exercises for the 2016 and 2018 elections.
https://acento.com.do/2019/opinion/8750267-jce-buena-decision/
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...millones-y-partidos-no-la-aprueban-BB15273992
ANJE on Elections: The Time is Right to Demand a Transparent Process
Radhamés Martínez, president of the National Association of Young Entrepreneurs (ANJE), urged that there be transparency in the upcoming election process.
"The time is right for us as a society to demand that it be a transparent process," he told Z Digital on Wednesday, 13 November 2019 within the framework of the Unilever Forum: Sustainable Business.
He described the current situation as interesting and complicated. He noted that constitutionality of the new Political Parties and Groupings Law and the Electoral System Law is currently challenged in the Constitutional Court.
Martínez said: "At ANJE we understand that the electoral authorities should be left to do their work, the strong business has continued its pace. Any measure to strengthen, give more credibility to the process for the year 2020, is welcome," he said.
"What we have to strive for as citizens, as a business sector and also on the part of political players, is for a climate of prudence, patience and respect," he stressed.
https://z101digital.com/anje-sobre-...oportuno-para-exigir-un-proceso-transparente/
Waldo Ariel Suero is back at Dominican Medical Guild
Best known as an organizer of physician strikes at public hospitals, Dr. Waldo Ariel Suero was elected to head the Dominican Medical Guild (CMD) again. This will be his fifth non-consecutive term at the CMD. He won with 70% of the vote. Suero said that he is open to talks with the government but will not give in to dilatory tactics.
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...o-advierte-que-no-se-dejara-marear-DH15306360
https://eldia.com.do/waldo-ariel-gana-presidencia-del-cmd/
March to protest violence against women
Commemorating the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, Dominican pro-women organizations are promoting a protest walk from the Mirador del Sur Park to the Centro de los Heroes down Jiménez de Moya Avenue. This is a route similar to that used by the Green March for many of its successful anti-corruption marches.
The protest walk is set for Sunday, 24 November starting at 9 am. The International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women falls on Monday, 25 November 2019. The United Nations declared day honors the three Dominican Mirabal sisters that were murdered during the Trujillo regime.
The march is named "Marcha de las Mariposas Contra la Violencia" and the theme is "Not One More" (Ni una mas).
Carolina Mejía, secretary of the opposition Modern Revolutionary Party (PRM), announced that the party backs the protest.
The protest comes at a time when femicides are high on the radar of Dominicans. El Dia newspaper reported on Wednesday 13 November 2019, that 10 women had been recently killed by their spouses in less than a month. Another report in the same newspaper on 14 November says that it is time for a change in the way government is handling the situation.
https://n.com.do/2019/11/13/prm-apoya-iniciativa-contra-la-violencia-a-la-mujer/
https://hoy.com.do/prm-participara-y-exhorta-a-respaldar-marcha-contra-la-violencia-a-las-mujeres/
https://eldia.com.do/diez-mujeres-han-sido-ultimadas-por-parejas-en-tan-solo-un-mes/
https://eldia.com.do/la-muerte-de-65-mujeres-obliga-a-reorientar-politicas-sobre-genero/
Installing a Chinese surveillance system at the UASD?
US Senator Marco Rubio posted a tweet on 13 November 2019 where he says that the Dominican Republic has plans to install a China "safe city" surveillance system that uses facial recognition and captures license plates to make this data available to the Chinese government. Rubio claims the system is already being tested at the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD) public university. The senator for Florida expressed his disappointment regarding the implementation of the Chinese surveillance technology.
The UASD subsequently confirmed they are negotiating the purchase of a surveillance system for the Santo Domingo campus “for the safety of the students”. The university said that there is no set date for its installation, nor did the university name the contractor or the brand of the equipment.
The Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Dominican Republic issued a note on Wednesday, 13 November 2019, rejecting the statement by the US senator. "We express our firm rejection of these unjustified accusations and the attempt to undermine friendly and mutually beneficial cooperation between China and the Dominican Republic. We hope that the government and the Dominican people will be alerted to these dark intentions. Maintaining urban security is a common challenge facing the countries of the world," reads the Chinese Embassy statement.
The Embassy states: "In the process of development, China has accumulated rich experience in the field of emergency response and public safety and has advanced technologies, which have improved the sense of security and quality of life of the Chinese people. Cooperation between China and Latin America and the Caribbean is a voluntary act on both sides and an irreversible historical trend. If someone like Marco Rubio is disappointed with this, then we believe he will not only be disappointed again and again, but will end up completely desperate."
As reported in El Nuevo Herald of Miami, during a Friday, 8 November 2019 meeting with President Danilo Medina at the Presidential Palace in Santo Domingo, the commander of U.S. Southern Command, Navy Admiral Craig Faller has said: "They [the Dominican government] are committed to maintaining their relationship with the United States as a matter of priority. They assured me that they understand the information technology and cybernetic risks associated with China and that they are not willing to sacrifice the trust and professionalism of the alliance they have created with us for those risks," Faller said.
In addition to President Medina, also present for the meeting with Admiral Faller were Defense Minister Rubén Darío Paulino Sem; Minister of the Presidency Gustavo Montalvo, and Flavio Darío Espinal, legal advisor to the Executive Branch.
In the Dominican Republic, Faller met with other high-ranking military officials. He concluded his visit with a tour of the Center for Emergency Operations (COE). The US Southern Command had donated the facility in 2001, and since then authorities have modernized it to better respond to hurricanes and earthquakes.
https://n.com.do/2019/11/13/senador...equipos-de-reconocimiento-facial-chino-en-rd/
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...as-declaraciones-del-senador-rubio-JH15307853
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...riesgos-de-uso-de-tecnologia-china-BP15295589
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...cion-de-sistema-de-videovigilancia-LH15302559
https://www.elnuevoherald.com/noticias/mundo/america-latina/article237290544.html
https://www.southcom.mil/News/Press...nference-in-miami-with-canada-european-partn/
Mapping transport routes in Santiago
The city of Santiago becomes the first Dominican city partaking in the smart city solution that is now part of Google Maps. Students from the Pontificia Universidad Católica Madre y Maestra (PUCMM), UASD, UTESA and UNEV in Santiago were trained to develop the route map. Transport operators and users, and organizations of groups of people with disabilities, together with the Santiago municipal authorities and power distribution company workers, participated in the mapping of Santiago de los Caballeros for Google Maps.
The information is part of the platform, DATUM, that provides detailed information on29 popular city routes and 25 urban and six interurban transport routes. The teams recorded geo-referenced data of the routes and their stops to be included in the app.
The community mapping of urban infrastructure effort is part of an international effort of the partners – the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), World Resources Institute (WRI) Mexico, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Columbia University and Mastercard – that created DATUM, described as a platform that acts as a guide for collecting, processing and publicizing urban mobility data. DATUM is the Spanish acronym for Open Urban Transport and Mobility Data. As explained, it conveys clear information on transportation routes and schedules that was not available previously in one source. Today, residents, businessmen and leisure travelers have had to rely on "word of mouth" to get around.
https://listindiario.com/economia/2...go-primera-urbe-del-caribe-con-mapa-de-ciudad
https://www.smartcity.press/google-map-features/
https://blogs.iadb.org/ciudades-sos...pping-dominican-republic-santiago-caballeros/
Cash is still used for 87% of payments in the Dominican Republic
Luis Bencosme, executive president for CardNet, says "the world is transforming," but the Dominican Republic is still mostly a cash-based society. CardNet is a leading electronic payment system. He spoke during the past ClaroTec on the future of payment methods.
Bencosme said that the use of checks has stagnated. In the country that has a population of around 10 million people, at least three million people have credit cards and 4.8 million debit cards. He said payrolls are paid through accounts linked to employee debit cards.
Likewise, he said thousands among the poor have begun to enjoy the means of electronic payments through the government welfare program “Progressing with Solidarity” under the Vice Presidency of the Republic. "The way they receive the subsidies is with prepaid cards and there are 1.2 million of them in the hands of the public," he said.
CardNet is introducing contactless payments. "I would tell you that 95% of points of sale (POS) or “verifones” use or are already prepared to accept contactless payments. The issue is that all banks have not yet issued the contactless cards," he explained. Bencosme forecast that in three years' time the entire country will be able to enjoy this form of payment.
The CardNet executive maintained that the country lags in electronic commerce. But he said this is the norm for the region. "If you add up all of Latin America, only 2.6% of the transactions that occur in retail consumption are done in e-commerce," he said.
Bencosme said that payment schemes require authentication mechanisms that the industry has not had until recently and this has hindered progress in this area. Nevertheless, he said cell phone payment schemes are gradually gaining acceptance locally. One is MONI, an application that allows you to pay using your cell phone in establishments affiliated to CardNET.
https://www.eldinero.com.do/93125/en-el-87-de-los-pagos-en-rd-se-usa-efectivo/
Construction site explosion kills three, injures four
Three bodies were recovered at a residential tower under construction in the Evaristo Morales neighborhood in the National District. National District Fire Department chief Jose Luis Herasme said that the bodies of two workers were reported missing and their bodies found soon after the explosion. A third corpse was found later under the rubble.
The explosion occurred around 10 pm on Tuesday, 12 November 2019 at the building located on Emiliano Tardiff street. Four others were wounded of the seven men, mostly Haitians that were at the construction site that evening, as reported in the media.
The deceased have been identified as Dominicans Rafael Alberto Celestino Hernández and Jean Luis Andújar García and Haitian national Pierre Jean Chenelel. The corpses were sent to the National Institute of Forensic Sciences (INACIF) for autopsies.
The four wounded were taken to the burn unit at the Ney Arias Lora Trauma Center in Santo Domingo. Reports are that they had burn wounds on 9 to 24% of their bodies. They were identified by the hospital as 34-year old Robert Pol, 38-year old Esmerlin Andujar García, 34-year old Frisne Exavier, and 37-year old Bufet Moneli.
Fire chief Herasme has called the explosion a deflagration, or a fire in which a flame travels rapidly through a gas. The causes have yet to be determined. The surviving workers said that at the time of the explosion, the men were painting inside a water cistern.
https://www.diariolibre.com/actuali...-torre-del-sector-evaristo-morales-HP15290557
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...as-entre-nueve-y-24-por-ciento-en-sus-cuerpos
https://listindiario.com/la-republi...rrida-en-la-construccion-del-evaristo-morales
https://www.elcaribe.com.do/2019/11...os-en-explosion-en-torre-de-evaristo-morales/
SFM court sentences businessman to 15 years for sexual abuse of child
The Attorney General Office reports that the Second Collegiate Court of Duarte province sentenced businessman Diógenes Ferreira to 15 years in prison. He was found guilty of sexually abusing a female minor in the northeastern city of San Francisco de Macorís.
He was sentenced for violating the Dominican Criminal Code, modified by Law No. 24-97 on Gender and Domestic Violence, the Code for the Protection and Fundamental Rights of Children and Adolescents (Law No. 136-03) and Law No. 631-16 on Arms, Ammunition and Related Materials.
The case file established that the convicted man had brought the victim several times to a farm owned by him. He bought her a cell phone so that they could communicate. The investigation revealed the victim was sexually abused by the man since she was 10 years old.
The magistrates Massiel Sánchez and Gladys Germán, after the denunciation, initiated the local investigations and after obtaining the corresponding evidence the Public Ministry proceeded to request the corresponding arrest warrant against the accused.
The file indicates that the man attempted suicide when the Police went to arrest him. He was ordered to serve his sentence in the Vista al Valle Jail of San Francisco de Macorís.
https://n.com.do/2019/11/13/tribuna...sario-a-15-anos-por-abuso-sexual-a-una-menor/
https://elnuevodiario.com.do/dictan...-acusado-de-abuso-sexual-contra-menor-en-sfm/
Pedro Martínez's autobiography now has a Spanish edition for sale
Dominican Cooperstown Hall of Fame member and legendary pitcher Pedro Martinez released the Spanish version of his book, "Pedro, La Historia de Mi Vida" on Thursday, 7 November 2019 in Florida. The activity was a fund-raiser and the profits of the sale of the books will go to the children's nonprofit led by his wife, Carolina Cruz. The book, "Pedro" was originally published in 2016 in English.
https://listindiario.com/el-deporte/2019/11/13/591252/presentan-la-autobiografia-de-pedro-martinez
https://www.amazon.com/Pedro-histor...artinez+++Autobiography&qid=1573668304&sr=8-2
https://www.amazon.com/Pedro-Martin...artinez+++Autobiography&qid=1573668358&sr=8-1
Italian Cuisine Week in the Dominican Republic
The Italian-Dominican Chamber of Commerce announced the 4th Italian Cuisine Week in the World would take place from 18 to 24 November 2019 in 55 countries, including the Dominican Republic. For the event, over a thousand events are organized worldwide, coordinated by the around 300 Italian diplomatic and consular headquarters and Italian cultural institutes.
In the Dominican Republic, several local Italian food restaurants will be participating in the Dominican version. These are Borbone di Napoli, Trattoria Pizzarelli, Cappuccino, La Locanda, Il Caminetto, La Briciola, Sega Zona, Ristorante Angelo, La Marina, Martini Trattoria, Il Bacaretto, Botega Fratelli and Dolce Italia. Scheduled for Tuesday, 19 November is an Italian wine tasting, at 6:30pm at El Catador.
The Dominican Italian Chamber of Commerce says that trade is more than US$500 million a year between both countries.
The Italian Cuisine Week aims to promote Italy’s agri-food industry and the tradition of high-quality food and wine that is so central to the Italian identity and culture.
Pavel Núñez and Big Band at the Jaragua
Contemporary Dominican singer Pavel Núñez presents “Oratoria Mode” his recent concert together with the Pavel Núñez Big Band at the Teatro La Fiesta of the Jaragua Renaissance on the Malecón in Santo Domingo. Saturday, 16 November at 9pm. This is a presentation by Vibra Productions.
Tickets range from RD$1,500 to RD$4,500 online at Uepa Tickets, or at the Jumbo stores, Supermercados Nacional, and CCN Servicios, or at the Jaragua box office.
Diomary La Mala at Meridien Events Center
Romantic singer Diomary La Mala presents her concert “Intimo” at the Meridien Events Center on Av. Rómulo Betancourt in Santo Domingo. The show is set for Monday, 18 November 2019 as of 9pm. General admission is RD$1,300. Tickets are for sale at Uepa Tickets online or at the Meridien.