Dr. José Francisco Peña Gómez, president of the Partido Revolucionario Dominicano, gave the three aspirants to the candidacy for mayor of the Santo Domingo – Julio Maríñez, Miguel Vargas and Eligio Jáquez – one day to decide about sharing the position of vice mayor. The leader of the PRD, the largest opposition party, proposed that Miguel Vargas be the first vice mayor, as of 16 August 1998 for a one year term, Julio Maríñez follow for a two-year period, and then Eligio Jáquez for one year, until the four year term is completed. If this formula is not accepted by them, he will choose Johnny Ventura, the prestigious merengue orchestra director, deputy and lawyer as his running mate. Johnny Ventura, contrary to the above-mentioned candidates, is well known and a much stronger candidate. The PLD has announced Roberto Salcedo, a TV producer, as their candidate for mayor. The third leading party, the PRSC, has yet to announce their candidate. Peña Gómez commented over the weekend that it would be a step down for Julio Maríñez, who still has a full year to go as secretary general of the Municipal League, to accept the position as vice mayor. This league groups all municipalities of the nation, where Mariñez oversees a budget of RD$1,500 million. While Peña Gómez originally said that he would delegate his responsibilities to the vice mayor after being elected, with the new proposal, he would remain at the helm for the four year period. Peña Gómez has favored Miguel Vargas over Eligio Jáquez, candidate of Hipólito Mejía, and Julio Maríñez, candidate of Rafael Suberví Bonilla. Miguel Vargas also had the support of secretary general of the party, Hatuey Decamps. Peña admitted that Julio Maríñez won the primary by 299 votes, but he said Maríñez had unfair advantage with the use of resources of the Municipal League and had the support of mayors of nearby communities that used their vehicles to transport voters to the voting stations.
