High ranking posts in the administration of President Leonel Fernandez have been disproportionately held by members of eight families. These are; 1) The family of Alejandrina German, currently Secretary to the President; formerly head of the Higher Education Commission (CONES). Her husband, Jose Sosa, is Deputy Director of Immigration. Her brother, Mariano German, is currently Director of the Agri-Business Development Bank, and also served as Director of the Water Resources Department, as well as Attorney General. 2) The family of Temistocles Montas, currently Technical Secretary to the Presidency; formerly Administrator of the Dominican Electric Corporation, His brother, Jose Montas, was Consul in Juana Mendez, Haiti, and now occupies the same post in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. Another brother, Ruben Montas, directs the Dominican Technology Institute and was also Director of Telecommunications. 3) The family of Rafael Serulle, who heads the state Budget Office and was formerly Vice-Minister of Public Works. His brother Julian Serulle, until recently served as Director of the Dominican Social Security Agency Another brother, Haffe Serulle works in the Public Health Ministry. 4) The family of Simon Lizardo, who serves as Presidential Chief of Staff, and formerly as Controller General. His sister, Cristina Lizardo, is a member of the Chamber of Deputies. 5) The family of Pedro Pablo Yermenos, currently Consul in Madrid, formerly Director of the Dominican Social Security Agency. Brother Carlos Yermenos manages the Presidential Palace. 6) The family of Sigfriedo Pared Perez, who directs the National Investigations Department, His brother Reinaldo Pared Perez holds a leadership position the PLD bloque in the Chamber of Deputies. Carlos Pared Perez is an assistant to PLD presidential candidate Danilo Medina. 7) The family of Vice-President Jaime David Fernandez Mirabal, including Minou Fernandez Mirabal, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs. Nelson Gonzalez Mirabel, the Vice President’s nephew, is also his assistant. Another nephew, Raul Gonzalez Mirabel, headed security in the Dominican Electricity Corporation. 8) The family of the President, including his father, who serves as Consul in Panama and previously headed the Port Authority; his uncle, Jose Luis Fernandez, who’s in charge of the internet in the Presidential Palace; and his sister, Sonia Fernandez, who heads (CONANI). Such things are not unknown in the DR. President Balaguer favored members of his own family, as well as the Marte, Bello, Martinez and Pichardo families.
