The nation’s most popular merengue singer of all times, Fernando Villalona could have been a victim to TV program host Frederick Martínez "El Pachá." El Pachá reportedly took advantage of Villalona to get his new Sabadasso Saturday TV program off to a bang start. El Pachá gave Villalona, who is running for senator for the Partido Reformista Social Cristiano (PRSC) party for his home town Dajabón, an enthusiastic kiss on the mouth that was televised for all to see. Villalona is a controversial figure, having made negative press for mistreating a former wife and for drug consumption. The Comisión Nacional de Espectáculos Públicos y Radiofonía was prompt to prohibit the replay of the video where El Pachá kisses Vilallona. It also suspended El Pachá from using a microphone on TV/radio for 30 days. José Tejada Gómez of El Siglo newspaper said that Villalona was taken in, was used by the TV producer to catapult his new show. He succeeded, as the photograph with the kiss appeared in page wide spreads in most national dailies. El Pachá also featured Sandy & Papo, Tabu Tek, Los Toros Band, Claudine Bonó, Chichí Peralta and Son Familia on his first day show. A man kissing another man on the mouth is contrary to Dominican customs.
