The List?n Diario reported that the Partido Revolucionario Dominicano and the Partido de la Liberaci?n Dominicana are trying to end what is described as the "reign" or "Indian chief" of the East. The president of the Senate, Amable Aristy Castro made newspaper headlines last year for alleged use of his political influence to appropriate government lands that are now in the name of his family members in the eastern beach areas. Nevertheless, he is the man to beat in the East. Aristy Castro has used his influence to become a multi-millionaire. He is known for his paternalistic style of politics. The senator has always been willing to pay for a medical prescription, and when he travels through the East he always has pockets full of money to help the poor rebuild their house or donate money for a meal. As a result, since he won the senatorial position in 1978 on the Partido Reformista Social Cristiano ticket, he has stayed in power and allegations of corruption have done little to affect his political aspirations. His contenders, the candidate to senators for the PRD Ram?n Guiliamo Alfonso and for the PLD, Hector Julio Baltazar Guerrero are hopeful they will be able to overturn him. They say they do not have to defeat the PRSC, they have to defeat Amable Aristy Castro, and his large pockets of money. Guilamo Alfonso told the List?n, "His reign, or whatever you want to call it has come to an end. The people are tired of Amable Aristy." But followers of Aristy say that while he wants to be senator, there is no way there will be a rival that can defeat him in an election. "The senator is the only one who truly is concerned about the poor and helps his people. This man is a devotee of the Virgen de la Altagracia. Anyone who goes from Higuey (in the East) to the capital, will find a helping hand."
