Jacinto Peynado said yesterday in a TV interview that the Proyecto Presidencial Hip?lito (PPH), which is the sector within the PRD supporting the re-election of President Mej?a, that the faction would invest RD$60 million to support their PRSC candidate in that party?s primaries. Nevertheless, Peynado said that this money would not alter the results of the primaries set for 30 March. He said the only way the PRSC would be divided would be if a candidate linked to the PRD and the PPH were elected. He alleged that the PRD buys the will of the PRSC reformistas with money, pick ups [do you mean kickbacks?], government contracts and blank checks. Political analysts have alluded that Eduardo Estrella, former senator of Santiago, is supported b the PPH. Polls today show that as a result of his campaign, Estrealla is practically tied with Peynado, who for many years was by far the leading PRSC candidate after the party?s leader, the late Joaquin Balaguer.
Ram?n Rogelio Genao, speaking for the PRSC, said that nearly 1.5 million Dominicans are registered to vote in the PRSC primaries. Of these, 46% are between the ages of 18 and 35.