The General Assembly held on Sunday by the Partido Reformista Social Cristiano modified party statutes and expanded from 11 to 50 the members of the executive commission. The Central Executive Board of the party ruled to increase membership from 250 persons to 1,000. The 94-year old former head of state was chosen president for life of the political party. The 50 members of the executive commission will now elect two vice presidents, and the political, organization, finance, events and electoral affairs secretaries of the party. Former Minister of Industry & Commerce Angel Lockward, was excluded from the board of the party. He said he would impugn the assembly for violation of the Electoral Law. The Assembly was characterized by chaos. News reports say that Balaguer imposed his will at the assembly. Diario Libre newspaper explained: “The doctor [Balaguer] is aware that his party is divided and that his physical condition does not permit him to exercise the control he had before over party leaders. That is why he has designed a strategy for massive participation of loyal bases so that these may control the local leaders, and in turn these control the national chieftains.” The assembly ended with Balaguer whispering his war cry: “Reformistas to the charge, at a winning pace.” The board members are: Joaquin Balaguer, Rafael Bello Andino, Anibal Paez, Manuel Guaroa Liranzo, Donald Reid Cabral, Federico Antun Batlle, Jacinto Peynado, Carlos Morales Troncoso, Amable Aristy Castro, Jose Hazim Frappier, Ramon Pina Acevedo, Joaquin Ricardo, Miguel Sanz Jiminian, Ney Arias Lora, Rafaela Alburquqerque, Ramon Rogelio Genao, Eduardo Estrella, Alexandra Izquierdo, Licelot Marte de Barrios, Zoila Martinez de Medina, Victor Gomez Berges, Luis Toral Cordova, Atilio Guzman Fernandez, Ulises de Beras, Rodolfo Rincon Martinez, Johnny Jones, Carlos Eligio Linares, Noe Sterling, Victor Hugo Hernandez, Jose Osvaldo Leger, Rafael Franjul, Aney Muñoz, Jose Ramon Gonzalez Perez, Nurys Papaterra, Katiuska Bobea de Brenes, Horacio Betances Marranzini, Alfonso Fermin Balcacer, Fulvio Lora, Alexis Joaquin Castillo, Ramon Perez Martinez, Florentino Carvajal Suero, Manolo Alsina de Castro, Juan Luis Seliman, Juan A. Taveras Guzman, Ricardo Canalda, Hector Marte, Ricardo Barceló and Eduardo Reid.
