As reported in Hoy newspaper, the government and the PRD have rejected the positions expressed by the legal advisor to the President, Guido Gomez Mazara. He referred to making modifications to the Constitution "above whomever it may be", and said that all government jobs and social programs should be for PRD members. See http://www.dr1.com/daily/news051001.shtml President Hipolito Mejia said his government would not intervene to modify the Constitution so that only 40% of votes are necessary to win the presidency in 2004. He said Gomez Mazara spoke that way to gain political favor among his followers. Nevertheless, he said he can’t stop anyone in government from speaking their mind. "These are voices that have to be respected, but I am the official spokesman of the government," said Mejia. The President of the PRD, Hatuey de Camps, said that Gomez cannot speak for the PRD. He said social programs have to be for all Dominicans. Reinaldo Pared Perez, the secretary general of the PLD, an opposition party, said the statements were "serious, inconceivable and indescribable." PLD Senator Enrique Martinez said the statements were an "attempt against democracy." Donald Reid Cabral, acting president of the PRSC, another leading opposition party, expressed his concern. He commented "You think those things, but you don’t say them," he said. Political secretary of the party, Federico Antun said the statements are treason against the memory of PRD leader Jose Francisco Peña Gomez. Father Rogelio Cruz said the comments bring discouragement and despair among the population. Participacion Ciudadana expressed their concern since the statements come so soon after the government appointed a commission to propose changes to the Constitution. President of the Senate, Ramon Alburquerque (PRD-Monte Plata), justified Mazara’s comments and explained that in party meetings topics are addressed from the point of view of party members. Alburquerque is a strong advocate of the changes proposed by Gomez Mazara.
